New Partnership To Improve Landscaping At Mackenzie Hall

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A new community partnership will see a landscape scholarship in support of Windsor’s Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre established.

The Friends of the Court, in cooperation with the City of Windsor and St. Clair College, discovered an opportunity to employ a part-time gardener apprentice through a scholarship to be awarded to an outstanding student in the St. Clair Horticulture Program.

As a result, the Mackenzie Hall Landscape Scholarship in the amount of $5,000 has been established. Financial sponsorship is provided by The Keg Steakhouse & Bar and two other local companies who wish to remain anonymous.

In late 2015, the Friends of the Court, a non-profit body appointed to inform the City of Windsor on matters pertaining to Mackenzie Hall, voiced concerns about ivy encroaching upon and overwhelming the building, and patches of Virginia creeper smothering bushes and trees. City parks and horticulture staff have seasonally maintained the property along with several others throughout the city, however The Friends of the Court recognized that regular, more frequent attention by a gardener was needed to manage ongoing landscaping and upkeep needs.

Phil Roberts, Executive Director of Parks and Dave Tootill, Manager of Horticulture, met with Friends of the Court and others, including volunteers, to discuss opportunities that would contribute to the enhancement and preservation of Mackenzie Hall’s landscaping. This discussion raised awareness and revived the intent to produce an upgraded master plan for the grounds, while recognizing historic plantings and the appearance of the parkette and other natural amenities surrounding the building.

“Providing students with experiential learning opportunities is essential to preparing them for entrance into the workforce, and programs offering mentorship with hands-on experience benefits the student, while also strengthening and improving our community”, said President Patti France.

“The development of this scholarship was a team effort, shared among the City of Windsor’s Parks and Horticultural departments; Sponsor Windsor within Communications; CUPE Local 82; St. Clair College and the St. Clair Horticulture Program; Friends of the Court and our scholarship sponsors”, said Mayor Drew Dilkens.