The June ribbon-cutting on a new meeting space at the Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC) stands to enhance the Mattawa-area outdoor learning institute as a unique four-season conference destination.
“Our winter business should be much easier because of this indoor space,” said facilities manager Joyce Beam, who is looking forward to more bookings for the new Aaniin building and its 1,200-square-feet of multi-purpose meeting space.
Aaniin is the Ojibway word for welcome.
The long-awaited $750,000 project was designed by architect John Osburn of North Bay and built by Makitalo Construction of Astorville.
With a fireplace installed, Beam said the room is ideal for business and social receptions, and as an evening lounge for groups staying overnight.
The new digs provide more flexible space for the centre's many educational programs as well as house new washrooms for the dining hall and back-up generators to address those frequent power outages in the Mattawa area.
Nestled inside Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, just west of Mattawa, the Canadian Ecology Centre is a one-of-a-kind venue for conferences and corporate retreats.
“It's the peace and quiet of the place,” said Beam. “It's the right setting to talk about things.”
In the years before the centre became completely wireless, cell phone service was spotty, which only added to the natural ambiance for delegates to be disconnected.
“If you take people out of the environment they're used to, then they think differently.”
Located between North Bay and Mattawa, the outdoor education centre also serves as the headquarters of the Canadian Institute of Forestry, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008.
The CEC is a non-profit organization that's been supported through the years by the forestry industry, government funding agencies, non-governmental groups and public donations.
“When we first started, Tembec was a great supporter for the first five years and we needed their support to keep going,” said Beam, who's been facilities manager since the centre's opening in 1999. “But as a not-for-profit, we have to make it on our own when trying to build.”
Beam has witnessed the CEC's expansion from having its administration housed in cabins, to the construction of the Birch Building (now the dining hall), to the main administrative building, and now the new structure.
With 25 dedicated full- and part-time staff, the centre provides full audio-visual, IT and catering support. Beam said hospitality and service is a priority to keep repeat business coming.
“The biggest problem we have is that we're unique, and it's also our biggest asset. Until we get someone here, it's hard for them to understand how much you can do for them and how good a spot it is.”
With activity humming through the warm weather months until late November, the CEC is well-known for hosting its annual Ontario teachers tour of area forestry and mining operations during the summer.
As amenities have improved, conference activity has picked up.
Among the regular guests are the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ontario Provincial Police, which use the facilities to conduct its native awareness training.
This summer, Beam and her staff were preparing to host an upcoming Chinese forestry delegation, along with two groups from China and Japan through Muskoka Languages International.
Nipissing University, Canadore College and Fleming College use the CEC as a field training base for their environmental and forest tech programs. And high school students from boards as far away southwestern Ontario arrive to take credit science courses.
Beam said the centre hosts a wide variety of events and gatherings ranging from weddings, entrepreneurship camps, to yoga and buddhist retreats.
The most popular meeting space is the Maple and Oak Trivett Room, located in the main building, offering 3,000-square feet of flexible and dividable space that can accommodate between 180 and 200 people for banquets and receptions.
The upstairs Tamarack Room is popular for yoga retreats because of its carpeted interior and naturally lit space of 1,000-square feet with capacity for 50 people.
Smaller meeting spaces like the Pine Cabin and Aspen Board Room provide more intimate settings.
The Computer Lab is available for technical demonstrations and training seminars.
For overnight accommodations, 32 cabins with double and single beds can cram in 160 guests for a wedding.
“Our cabins are better than most hotel rooms,” said Beam.
Among the CEC's future plans are to add a dormitory geared to students and not-for-profit groups which are stretched for funding. Administrators are working on plans to approach various funding agencies for that project.
Based on the frequent client feedback, Beam knows the venue and the staff are great ambassadors for the North.
“We had a fantastic time,” said one email. “Your staff was outstanding and courteous at all times and eager to assist when asked.”
“It's the whole package that makes people want to be here,” said Beam.
