Tour behind the scenes and meet the staff of one of the longest-running veterinary clinics in Waterloo Region. Independently owned and operated since 1961, Eldale Veterinary Clinic cares for both large and small animals. Major renovations in 2021 (including the addition of dog rehabilitation and daycare facilities) were made to meet the evolving needs of one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities.

During Doors Open Waterloo Region, visit the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum — the largest community museum in Ontario! Explore local history and learn about the region's commitment to managing and reducing waste. Enjoy presentations from the Region of Waterloo's Waste Management department and enter a draw to win a green bin prize pack! Pre-registration is recommended.

Explore the Food Bank of Waterloo Region's 2,880-square-metre (31,000-square-foot) distribution centre, where staff and volunteers handle over 3 million kg (6.8 million pounds) of fresh, frozen and non-perishable food annually before sending it off to the Community Food Assistance Network to help feed people in Waterloo Region. This food bank was the first of its kind in Ontario.

You’ve passed it many times, maybe seen it on television or YouTube. But have you been inside? St. Andrew’s Presbyterian, at the corner of Queen Street North and Weber Street East, was rebuilt in 1907. This year, the congregation celebrates 170 years. In the past, Prime Minister Mackenzie King attended St. Andrew’s. Come and learn more about this iconic church.

The former St. Mark’s Lutheran Church was renovated, adapted and expanded in 2023 to create 43 much-needed supportive affordable homes, specifically for people who have experienced homelessness or precarious housing. Explore the common areas, including the former sanctuary, and chat with staff from Indwell, who are celebrating 50 years of "Hope and Homes for All" through innovation, imagination and compassion.

The Waterloo Coin Society was founded in 1959 to encourage and promote the collection and study of coins, tokens, paper money, medals, badges, trade money and other currency-related collectibles. Chat with knowledgeable members and browse the collections, which include souvenir treasury notes and medals featuring iconic Waterloo Region landmarks. (Note: Located in the Perimeter Institute during Doors Open.)

Perimeter sparks big ideas and collaborations. The world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics, Perimeter fosters interdisciplinary research into the workings of the universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Explore its award-winning design, from quiet nooks to ubiquitous blackboards. Learn about their work and research areas as they celebrate their 25th anniversary.

Art and history collide at the 1860 Jacob Eby Farmhouse where the Waterloo Potters’ Workshop has operated since 1967. This non-profit co-operative — with its well-equipped pottery studio — offers classes to the public and organizes pottery sales and charity events. A site tour includes the kitchen, wheel room, glaze room and basement electric kiln room — as well as demonstrations. Parking notice!

Join the 60th anniversary celebration! A certified forest and nature school licensed by the Ministry of Education, the Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre has been providing quality early-learning and child care at this location since 1964. Come at 11:30 a.m. to hear remarks from local dignitaries. Tours showcasing classrooms and outdoor play spaces will be provided throughout the day.

Discover the stunning transformation of the Savvas Chamberlain Music Building at Wilfrid Laurier University. Come and explore the 2,226-square-metre (23,958-square-foot) renovation and addition, creating a prominent campus gateway. Visit the new classrooms, performance venues and practise rooms with the Faculty of Music. Learn about their community programming and the Making Space for Music initiative, showcasing musical excellence at Laurier.

Enjoy this rare opportunity to receive a guided tour of the Waterloo ION Maintenance Facility — including the Control Centre, Maintenance Shop and Rail Yard. See for yourself how the Grand River Transit keeps its fleet of vehicles in top condition, learn about maintenance schedules and techniques and ask questions about the operation of Waterloo Region’s transit system.

Go behind the scenes and discover the magic of live theatre. Take a guided tour to see this new, state-of-the-art facility — a cultural incubator for creative thinkers of all ages. Join in the fun and attend a free theatre games workshop. You'll also visit their production centre, which includes a scene shop, paint shop, props and wardrobe.

Located in the lower level of the Township of Woolwich's Breslau Community Centre, this former satellite branch is being converted into a full-service library (renovations will be complete in time for Doors Open). The building’s luxury-home feel comes after it was a sales centre for the Empire Communities' Riverland subdivision, who sold it to the township in 2012 for $2.

Built in 1898, this was the community’s primary fire station until it closed in 1979. The ground floor is the museum’s main gallery, featuring vintage fire equipment and displays. The second floor was the firefighters’ living quarters and now serves as the fire safety education centre. Please note there are no elevators or accessible washrooms at this site.

Take the rare opportunity to see inside this landmark pumping station. The pump room and pump house office have changed little in 100 years — with original ceilings, trim, walls and other fixtures and artifacts. One pump still draws water. Decommissioned pumps are in place and carefully preserved. Additional facilities have increased station capacity to 40.3 million litres daily.

Owners Adam and Hannie began making cheese 43 years ago in Holland. They moved to this dairy farm in 1996 and Mountainoak Cheese was launched in 2012. Following a traditional Dutch recipe, fresh Mountainoak milk is made into high-quality, all-natural, award-winning Mountainoak gouda with wholesome ingredients. Come and see how this cheese is made. No pets (guide dogs excepted).

Explore the Historical Room located upstairs in the old schoolhouse in Wellesley. Home to the historical society since 1979, this great space includes a collection of approximately 1,000 artifacts and documents, 2,000 photographs and 200 books. While you’re visiting the building, be sure to visit Theatre Wellesley and the Region of Waterloo Library’s Wellesley Branch as well.

Peek behind the curtain of the Studio Theatre for this community group has performed a variety of plays since 1997 as part of their mission to have fun while providing an exciting and entertaining community theatre experience. While you’re in the historical schoolhouse building, visit the Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society and the Region of Waterloo Library’s Wellesley Branch.

Located on the main floor of a former schoolhouse, this library comprises two rooms (the adult and children departments), which were once classrooms. The library shares the building with the Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society and Theatre Wellesley (also part of Doors Open). Adaptive reuse-themed Take-and-Make kits for kids will also be available (supplies limited, so visit early).

The Galt Arena Gardens is the oldest continuously operating arena in the world. Built in 1921 and refurbished in 1997, it is an imposing structure, representative of the epic achievements within its storied walls. It has been home ice to some of the hockey greats. A celebration of its 100th anniversary in June 2022 brought generations together to revel in its heritage as a landmark at the heart of a community. As part of Digital Doors Open, learn more about this historical local landmark through the video below.

Sheave Tower (owned and operated by the Cambridge branch of the Architectural Conservancy Ontario) is the province's last remaining wooden water-powered hydroelectric generator tower – a 19th-century marvel of ingenuity. This local landmark is neatly tucked away under a canopy of Carolinian forest and set within the boundaries of a provincially significant wetland. The 9.5-metre (31-foot) tower has been restored to its original bold oxblood colour. Built in 1876, it was a remarkable feat of engineering that harnessed waterpower via pulley and cable for the nearby gristmill. It was one of the world’s smallest hydroelectric generating projects. As part of Digital Doors Open, watch the video below to learn more about this important historical building.

Opened in 1993, The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery in Waterloo has become an integral part of the community while fostering and supporting emerging and established Canadian artists. Join us during Digital Doors Open for a behind-the-scenes tour of the vault, which contains 1,000 contemporary works in ceramics, glass and copper enameling. Curator Peter Flannery selects six pieces from the permanent collection to explore in detail, providing illuminating commentary about the works’ materials, style, esthetics and allure.

Olivetti. Olympia. Remington. Royal. Smith-Corona. Underwood. Typewriters are enjoying a big revival and Waterloo resident Currie Russell is swept up in the nostalgia revolution. What began as a pandemic passion project has evolved into a thriving side-hustle for this Waterloo collector. Russell is one of a handful of people in Ontario currently equipped to buy, sell and repair these majestic machines, but he is also part of a global movement spanning all corners of the planet where enthusiasts are connecting to share knowledge and learning that will keep these vintage marvels alive for others to discover into the future. Learn more about these machines and about Russell's passion as part of Digital Doors Open through the video below.

This episode of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region features a conversation with Clarence Cachagee, the visionary behind Crow Shield Lodge – a place for reconciliation, Indigenous land-based teaching and healing. Filmed at the Lodge’s peaceful and remote location near New Hamburg, Cachagee shares his vision for a thriving community that is founded on unity, equality and understanding.

If you attended high school in Waterloo Region, you might be mortified to learn that your high school yearbook (and that hairdo) may be preserved as a historical resource in the Grace Schmidt Room at the Kitchener Public Library. Local yearbooks are one of 10 favourite items that are explored as part of Digital Doors Open by Karen Ball-Pyatt, Manager of the Grace Schmidt Room’s vast collection, which has been documenting the area's history and families since it opened in 1984.