CAYUGA—Work is expected to begin soon on some improvements to the Coach House kitchen at Ruthven Park National Historic Site. Site Administrator Brittany Van Dalen said, “We are anticipating to begin the project this winter and have it completed by spring before we begin our summer tour season.”
While for years Ruthven has been a popular site for private rentals as well as many public events, including the Celtic Festival, High Teas, Wellness Retreat, Robbie Burns Night, and themed tours, there have been challenges when it comes to serving food.
“Currently, the staff and volunteers at Ruthven Park are working with limited and insufficient space within the Coach House kitchen, a space that is utilized quite regularly for special events and rentals,” Van Dalen said.
“One of the biggest limitations when preparing for our events is the limited counter and sink space,” she noted. This has made preparing, plating, and serving meals challenging, especially as the events calendar at Ruthven has grown over the years. That’s why the renovation is so eagerly anticipated.
“This project will allow us to create a more efficient space, update essential utilities, and better improve access,” Van Dalen said.
The renovation will bring improvements to the plumbing in the building and the kitchen will ultimately have three sinks. There will also be updates and improvements to the building’s heating, “which is incredibly needed during our winter events,” Van Dalen said.
Not only will the renovations make the space easier for Ruthven to utilize, but it “will also greatly benefit our future renters of the space, as it will improve their access and use of the Coach House kitchen,” Van Dalen added.
At the end of October, Ruthven got some good news from Haldimand County, when Council voted to award the project funding through the Rural Business and Tourism Community Improvement Plan to the tune of $15,379. The total project value is just under $29,000.
“We are thrilled to be receiving (the) funding,” Van Dalen said, adding thanks to the County on behalf of Ruthven for its support. “We look forward to continuing our growth of unique and immersive events and programs at the site.”
Ruthven Park is a not-for-profit organization, which according to its website “seeks to conserve, maintain, and promote historical conservation, interpretation, education, and research of Ruthven Park’s rich cultural and natural heritage by engaging the public for the enjoyment of present and future generations.”
If anyone would like to financially contribute to this or any other project at Ruthven, the organization is able to issue charitable donation tax receipts. For more information, visit ruthvenpark.ca/contact.
