Tearing down Laurel Creek sugar shack would be 'huge loss,' former teachers say

A pair of retired outdoor education teachers say they're bothered by the Grand River Conservation Authority's move to shutter the Laurel Creek maple syrup facility rather than making upgrades to the structure.

The GRCA said in an email statement that it reviewed the facility's structure last fall and determined it needed "a number of upgrades" to meet current requirements for accessibility and safety and would have to be replaced.

"In consultation with the [Waterloo Region District School Board], the GRCA made the decision to remove the maple syrup facility, as it is not feasible to replace it," said the statement from communications manager Lisa Stocco.

Stocco said GRCA will still offer a variety of outdoor education programs at the Laurel Creek Nature Centre and that there's been "no reduction" in the number of classes who attended these programs there this year.

A spokesperson for the school board deferred questions to the GRCA.

'Huge loss'

"It would be a huge loss," said Peter Rasberry, who taught students about maple syrup as an outdoor education teacher with the Waterloo Region District School Board.

Rasberry estimates he and fellow retired WRDSB teacher Fraser Gibson have taught thousands of students about syrup-making over the course of their careers.

They say students at the facility learned about more than syrup: they learned about history, the local ecosystem and the changing seasons.

"The kids at the end of the day get a chance to actually gather sap, and they're thrilled," said Gibson.

"They're so proud … that they're actually contributing to the production of the maple syrup."

Rasberry and Gibson say they want to appeal to both the school board and the conservation authority to find a way of bringing the facility up to current standards, rather than removing it. Rasberry said he's even willing to put out a call to grant-giving organizations to raise the necessary funds.

"I think if we started looking into that we could probably put together the money to do that," Rasberry said. 

"Our friends are getting in touch and saying, 'Hey, are you tapping this week' and we're having to say no," he said.

"I think there's certainly a broader group out there that would support us in that manner."

Rasberry said he plans to speak at a school board meeting as a delegate and has issued an open invitation to officials to tour the facility for themselves.

"At least to see the sites that are being discussed and understand just what the issues are and if it's something that we can overcome," he said. 

A date for the tear-down hasn't been set, but Stocco said she expects it will happen when weather improves in the springtime.