Humber Centre’s grand opening spotlights its role as Entrepreneurial Hub in downtown Bolton

By Jim Stewart

Over 200 residents and dignitaries attended the Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday morning of the Humber River Centre at 28 Ann Street in Bolton.  

A menagerie of politicians, including Mayor Annette Groves and six of Caledon's Councillors – Mario Russo, Christina Early, Doug Maskell, Dave Sheen, Tony Rosa, and Cosimo Napoli—joined Brampton North MP Ruby Sahotra and the Deputy Premier of Ontario, Minister of Health, and Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones, presided over the outdoor ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday morning in unseasonably warm February conditions.

Mayor Groves offered her gratitude towards the industrious workers from the Town of Caledon that brought the multimillion-dollar renewal project to fruition.

“Warm greetings to all and thanks to all the coworkers for making this a reality. It is fitting that we are opening this facility in the Town's 50th year. The transformation of the Bolton Fire Hall is due to the dedicated town staff who involved in this project.”

Mayor Groves delineated the many uses of the Humber River Centre and noted in closing that “this Centre brings a lot of life to downtown Bolton.”

The state-of-the-art community and business hub to which Mayor Groves referred features 10,000 square feet of sustainable, accessible space that will house business support services, arts and culture events, and co-working space.

Co-working at the Humber River Centre will include free access to a flexible workspace or hot desk and public WIFI. Access is limited to early-stage Caledon-based entrepreneurs working on a new business venture or start-up business owners. 

Notably, the hub is home to the Caledon Chamber of Commerce, a community organization dedicated to supporting Caledon businesses through events, workshops, networking opportunities, and advocacy.

MP Ruby Sahotra, speaking on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities of Canada, stated that she was pleased to deploy federal funding to build energy-efficient businesses and to help entrepreneurs. In short, Sahotra praised the transformational process and noted that “It's a great day for the Town of Caledon.”

The transformation of the old Fire Hall into a Business Hub was funded in part by “a $3.5 million investment from the Canada Community-Building Fund and a $4.2 million investment from the federal government's Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program. Consequently, the Humber Centre is the most energy-efficient facility in the Town's ownership that features LED lighting, air source heat pumps and energy recovery ventilators, more insulative windows and doors, increased roof insulation, on-demand electric water heaters, and building automation system. These environmentally-friendly innovations are expected to reduce greenhouse emissions by 29.5 tonnes per year and fuel consumption by 56.2%.” (Source:  The Town of Caledon and the Government of Canada).

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the entourage moved indoors and tours led by Town staff were conducted for residents to learn more about the Humber River Centre's programs and services. Residents were invited to enjoy an afternoon of activities including a market with more than twenty vendors and makers that added a charming element to the festivities at the Ann Street facility.