{"id":45,"date":"2026-02-23T13:03:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T13:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ounra.org\/?page_id=45"},"modified":"2026-03-01T17:50:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T17:50:40","slug":"history-of-ounra","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ounra.org\/?page_id=45","title":{"rendered":"History of OUNRA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n.history-intro { font-size: 1.1rem; color: #333; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 2.5rem; max-width: 720px; }\n.history-intro strong { color: #2d5229; }\n\n.history-stat-bar {\n  display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 16px; margin-bottom: 3rem;\n}\n@media(max-width: 600px) { .history-stat-bar { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }\n\n.history-stat {\n  background: #2d5229; color: #fff; border-radius: 12px; padding: 20px;\n  text-align: center;\n}\n.history-stat .stat-number { font-size: 2.2rem; font-weight: 700; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #a8d5a2; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4px; }\n.history-stat .stat-label { font-size: .875rem; color: #e0f0dd; }\n\n.timeline { position: relative; padding-left: 32px; margin-bottom: 3rem; }\n.timeline::before { content: ''; position: absolute; left: 8px; top: 0; bottom: 0; width: 2px; background: #c5e0c0; }\n\n.timeline-item { position: relative; margin-bottom: 2rem; }\n.timeline-item::before {\n  content: ''; position: absolute; left: -28px; top: 6px;\n  width: 12px; height: 12px; border-radius: 50%;\n  background: #2d5229; border: 2px solid #fff; box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px #2d5229;\n}\n.timeline-item .year {\n  font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: .8rem; font-weight: 700;\n  color: #2d5229; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: .08em; margin-bottom: 4px;\n}\n.timeline-item h3 { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; color: #1e1e1e; margin-bottom: 6px; }\n.timeline-item p { font-size: .925rem; color: #555; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0; }\n\n.history-section { margin-bottom: 2.5rem; }\n.history-section h2 { color: #2d5229; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.3rem; border-bottom: 3px solid #e8f5e4; padding-bottom: 8px; margin-bottom: 1rem; }\n.history-section p { font-size: .975rem; color: #444; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 1rem; }\n\n.heritage-box {\n  background: #f0f8ee; border: 1px solid #c5e0c0; border-left: 5px solid #2d5229;\n  border-radius: 10px; padding: 20px 24px; margin: 1.5rem 0;\n  font-size: .95rem; color: #333; line-height: 1.7;\n}\n.heritage-box strong { color: #2d5229; }\n<\/style>\n\n<p class=\"history-intro\">\n  The Old University Neighbourhood Residents&#8217; Association was established in <strong>1982<\/strong> and is the <strong>oldest incorporated neighbourhood association in Canada<\/strong>. For over four decades OUNRA has represented the residents of one of Guelph&#8217;s most historically significant and architecturally distinctive neighbourhoods.\n<\/p>\n\n<!-- STATS -->\n<div class=\"history-stat-bar\">\n  <div class=\"history-stat\">\n    <div class=\"stat-number\">1982<\/div>\n    <div class=\"stat-label\">Year OUNRA was established<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"history-stat\">\n    <div class=\"stat-number\">40+<\/div>\n    <div class=\"stat-label\">Years serving the neighbourhood<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"history-stat\">\n    <div class=\"stat-number\">#1<\/div>\n    <div class=\"stat-label\">Oldest incorporated neighbourhood association in Canada<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- THE NEIGHBOURHOOD -->\n<div class=\"history-section\">\n  <h2>The Old University Neighbourhood<\/h2>\n  <p>The Old University Neighbourhood takes its name from its proximity to the University of Guelph and its historic relationship with the academic and civic life of the city. Bounded by the Speed and Eramosa rivers to the north, Cutten Fields and the University of Guelph to the east, College Avenue to the south, and the Hanlon Expressway to the west, the neighbourhood encompasses some of Guelph&#8217;s finest residential streets.<\/p>\n  <p>The area is characterized by mature tree canopy, stone and brick architecture, and a diverse mix of residents \u2014 students, young families, long-term homeowners, renters and seniors \u2014 all sharing the same streets and green spaces. This diversity has always been one of the neighbourhood&#8217;s greatest strengths.<\/p>\n\n  <div class=\"heritage-box\">\n    &#x1f3db;&#xfe0f; <strong>Heritage Conservation District:<\/strong> A large portion of the Old University Neighbourhood is designated as a Heritage Conservation District, recognizing the area&#8217;s exceptional architectural and historical significance to the City of Guelph. Properties in the area feature some of the finest examples of masonry and stone carving in the city.\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- TIMELINE -->\n<div class=\"history-section\">\n  <h2>A History of Community Advocacy<\/h2>\n  <p>From its founding OUNRA has been an active and engaged voice for neighbourhood residents, participating in city planning processes, advocating on development issues and keeping residents informed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"timeline\">\n\n  <div class=\"timeline-item\">\n    <div class=\"year\">1982<\/div>\n    <h3>OUNRA Founded<\/h3>\n    <p>The Old University Neighbourhood Residents&#8217; Association is incorporated, becoming the first incorporated neighbourhood association in Canada. From the outset OUNRA&#8217;s mandate is to represent residents in matters of planning, development and neighbourhood well-being.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"timeline-item\">\n    <div class=\"year\">1980s \u2013 1990s<\/div>\n    <h3>Establishing a Voice in City Hall<\/h3>\n    <p>OUNRA establishes regular communication with the City of Guelph and Ward 5 councillors, building relationships that allow residents to stay informed and engaged in city planning decisions affecting the neighbourhood.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"timeline-item\">\n    <div class=\"year\">2000s<\/div>\n    <h3>Growth and Development Advocacy<\/h3>\n    <p>As Guelph grows and development pressures increase in established neighbourhoods, OUNRA plays an active role in advocating for responsible intensification that respects the heritage character and scale of the Old University Neighbourhood.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"timeline-item\">\n    <div class=\"year\">2012<\/div>\n    <h3>Community Celebration \u2014 Guelph Community Christian School<\/h3>\n    <p>OUNRA&#8217;s Fall General Meeting celebrates the transformation of the former College Avenue Public School into the Guelph Community Christian School \u2014 a landmark renovation that preserved the iconic 1960s building while enhancing the site for community use.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"timeline-item\">\n    <div class=\"year\">2015<\/div>\n    <h3>Hydro Corridor Advocacy<\/h3>\n    <p>OUNRA organizes and participates in community meetings regarding Hydro One&#8217;s plans to clear vegetation along the Cedar\/Water\/Hanlon transmission corridor, demonstrating the association&#8217;s ongoing commitment to environmental issues affecting the neighbourhood.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"timeline-item\">\n    <div class=\"year\">2020<\/div>\n    <h3>Adapting Through COVID-19<\/h3>\n    <p>OUNRA holds its first ever virtual general meeting via Zoom, maintaining community connection during the pandemic. Guest speaker Natalie Goss, Senior Policy Planner for the City of Guelph, presents on the city&#8217;s growth plan.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"timeline-item\">\n    <div class=\"year\">2022<\/div>\n    <h3>Municipal Election Engagement<\/h3>\n    <p>OUNRA continues its tradition of hosting municipal election candidate forums, giving residents the opportunity to meet and question candidates for Mayor and Ward 5 Council.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"timeline-item\">\n    <div class=\"year\">2023 \u2013 Present<\/div>\n    <h3>Housing and Zoning Advocacy<\/h3>\n    <p>With major changes to provincial and municipal zoning policy, OUNRA engages with Mayor Cam Guthrie, MPP Mike Schreiner and Ward 5 Councillors on the implications of new housing legislation for the neighbourhood&#8217;s heritage character and liveability.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- WHO WE SERVE -->\n<div class=\"history-section\">\n  <h2>Who We Serve<\/h2>\n  <p>OUNRA represents all residents within the neighbourhood boundaries \u2014 renters and homeowners, long-term residents and newcomers, families and students. Every person living within our boundaries is automatically a member of OUNRA.<\/p>\n  <p>Our general meetings are open to all and typically feature a guest speaker on a topic of community interest, updates from Ward 5 city councillors, and OUNRA business including elections to the executive committee.<\/p>\n  <p>OUNRA publishes a newsletter twice yearly \u2014 in spring and fall \u2014 keeping residents informed on neighbourhood issues, city planning matters, and association news.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Old University Neighbourhood Residents&#8217; Association was established in 1982 and is the oldest incorporated neighbourhood association in Canada. For over four&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":44,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/page-history.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-45","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ounra.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/45","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ounra.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ounra.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ounra.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ounra.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=45"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ounra.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/45\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":241,"href":"https:\/\/ounra.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/45\/revisions\/241"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ounra.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ounra.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}