Burtch Correctional Facility

The Burtch Correctional was opened in 1948. It operated until January 2003.

On February 28, 2006 the Six Nations of the Grand River began a demonstration at the Caladonia housing development to protest a land claim near Caledonia.

The government offered them the 153-hectare Burtch site as part of a $125 million settlement for three land claims.

The Six Nations wanted the Burtch facility to be demolished and reverted back to land. The cost of decommissioning and demolishing the site was reported to be $1 million. At the time there were 37 buildings on the site.

In 2008 a First Nations development company wanted to transform the centre into an aboriginal healing and rehabilitation facility.

Today one building remains. On my 2010 visit, the road into the site was occupied by construction workers and visitors had to stop at the gate.

More History:

During World War II, Number 4 Wireless School, R.C.A.F. was
located near the corner of Cockshutt and Burtch Roads. After the
war, the base was converted to Burtch Industrial Farm. Fruit and
vegetables were grown and much of the crop was processed
at the cannery on site. Livestock was also raised here for meat.
Eventually farming ceased and the site was converted to the
Burtch Correctional Centre and inmates did volunteer work
with the community. The correctional centre is now gone.