About the Centre
London’s Gateway to Nature — Where history, nature, and sustainability come together.
The Westminster Ponds Centre (WPC) is London’s Gateway to Nature — a growing environmental campus rooted in one of the most storied landscapes in Southwestern Ontario. Set adjacent to the Westminster Ponds Environmentally Significant Area (ESA), the Centre brings together organizations, educators, volunteers, and community members who share a commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and nature‑connected learning.
As the sole owners and operators of the Centre, ReForest London stewards this unique campus with a clear vision: to create a welcoming, accessible, and collaborative place where people and organizations can learn, grow, and take action for a healthier environment.
WPC is more than a collection of buildings. It is a living demonstration of sustainability in action, shaped by the land’s history and renewed through modern revitalization.
A Campus with Deep Roots
The Westminster Ponds area has long been recognized as one of London’s most ecologically significant natural spaces. Its forests, wetlands, and kettle ponds were formed thousands of years ago by retreating glaciers, creating a landscape rich in biodiversity and natural beauty.
Over the past century, the site has served many roles — including as a veterans’ convalescence centre, a place of healing, and a quiet refuge for recovery. The historic buildings that remain today carry the memory of those who walked these halls and found comfort in the surrounding nature.
This legacy of healing and connection to the land continues at WPC. The campus honours its past by embracing a future rooted in environmental wellbeing, community learning, and sustainability.
Our Vision
The Westminster Ponds Centre is being developed as a regional sustainability campus — a place where environmental organizations, educators, researchers, and community groups come together to advance climate resilience, urban forestry, environmental education, and nature‑based wellbeing.
Our vision is to create a campus that:
- Inspires environmental leadership
- Strengthens community connection
- Supports collaboration across sectors
- Demonstrates sustainability in action
- Provides accessible nature‑based learning for all ages
A Home for Tenants, Partners & Community
WPC is home to a growing network of mission‑aligned organizations who share the campus and contribute to its identity. Tenants, partners, volunteers, and community groups use the Centre for:
- Environmental programming
- Workshops and education
- Nature‑based recreation
- Research and collaboration
- Community events and stewardship
This collaborative ecosystem strengthens the Centre’s role as a hub for environmental learning and community impact.
A Modern Sustainability Campus
Today, the Westminster Ponds Centre is evolving into a regional sustainability campus — a place where environmental organizations, educators, researchers, and community groups come together to advance climate resilience, urban forestry, environmental education, and nature‑based wellbeing.
Our vision is to create a campus that:
- Inspires environmental leadership
- Strengthens community connection
- Supports collaboration across sectors
- Demonstrates sustainability in action
- Provides accessible nature‑based learning for all ages
The Centre’s unique blend of natural landscape, historic architecture, and modern sustainability practices makes it unlike any other place in the region.
A Place to Learn, Gather, and Explore
Visitors come to WPC for many reasons:
- To walk the trails
- To attend workshops or programs
- To meet with environmental organizations
- To participate in community stewardship
- To enjoy quiet moments in nature
Whether you’re here for a meeting, a program, or simply a walk in the woods, the Centre offers a peaceful, restorative environment that encourages connection — to nature, to community, and to shared purpose.
Visit the Centre
The Westminster Ponds Centre is located at the heart of the Westminster Ponds Conservation Area, with free parking, accessible pathways, and trailheads just steps from the campus.
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Note: We do not accept drop‑ins. Please book an appointment before visiting.
Revitalizing Historic Buildings for a Sustainable Future
The buildings at Westminster Ponds are more than structures — they are pieces of London’s heritage. Through careful revitalization, these historic spaces are being transformed into modern, energy‑efficient, accessible facilities that demonstrate sustainability in action.
Our revitalization work includes:
- Restoring and repurposing heritage buildings
- Improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact
- Showcasing sustainable building practices
- Creating functional spaces for tenants, partners, and community programs
- Preserving the character and history of the site
Each renovation honours the past while preparing the campus for decades of environmental leadership. The result is a place where history and sustainability meet — a campus that feels both grounded and forward‑looking.
Join Us in Growing a Healthier Future
Whether you’re an environmental organization, educator, community group, volunteer, or visitor, the Westminster Ponds Centre welcomes you. Together, we’re building a campus where nature, learning, and community come together to create lasting impact.