Brian Skerrett

Nominated for the A.K. Sculthorpe Award for Advocacy

Brian Skerrett has been the driving force behind the movement to create a National Urban Park at the former Ontario Reformatory/Guelph Correctional Centre. The Ontario Reformatory operated from 1911 until 2002, when it was closed by the Ontario Government. The 40+ buildings and the 350 acres of heritage landscape created by the prisoners have been left to deteriorate since then.

A Part V HCD study is currently underway and Brian was Chair of Heritage Guelph when the Part IV designation began. Much of the research was incomplete and he began to investigate the buildings and grounds on his own time because he believed that much of the history was overlooked. He discovered the significance of the Quarry, the Trestle bridge, the Matthews farmhouse and demanded that those elements be included in the HCD. He also spearheaded a group of organizations in Guelph in a demand that City Council do a Part V study, a campaign that resulted in more than 500 letters and 30+ delegations to City Council.

When the Federal government and Parks Canada instituted the Urban Park proposals, Brian immediately challenged another group of citizens and organizations to form Urban Park Guelph, which he leads. Urban Park Guelph has collected 3000+ signatures on a petition, created a lawn sign campaign, and talked to groups in Guelph and in other communities promoting the idea. Brian has also formed close connections with various First Nations groups and individuals who have now endorsed and supported the idea.

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