On the edge of the Town of Smiths Falls, a unique architectural treasure is becoming home to a

one-of-a-kind community that promises to hold great potential for the future of the town.

The Gallipeau Centre, located at 361 Queen Street, was once a hospital for the disabled. Today, it is quickly becoming the location of choice for local and international businesses and manufacturers, for recreational and arts facilities and events, and for those in search of quality retirement living.

The 50 two-storey interconnected buildings that make up the Gallipeau Centre sit on 354 picturesque acres just a few moments southeast of the downtown core. It opened as a hospital in 1951, housing 2,400 individuals

at its peak.

In 2011, J. A. Gallipeau Construction purchased the property and building with an eye to redeveloping the facility as an active seniors’ complex. That vision has grown to include commercial, light industrial, recreational and residential spaces within the expansive complex.

LIVING AT GALLIPEAUThe centre has been described as “a town unto itself,” and that description is not misplaced. A pool, theatre, gymnasium auditorium, cafes, and more offer on-site quality living for those who settle into one of the retirement condo units being constructed on-site. Each unit will one to three bedrooms, with its own outdoor patio space and access to landscaped courtyards and vegetable garden plots.

The Gallipeau Centre

1-888-983-4124 | WWW.SMITHSFALLS.CA

Business ProfileSMITHS FALLS, ONTARIO

TENANCY AT GALLIPEAU CENTREPerhaps the most exciting potential for the Gallipeau Centre lies in its unique offerings for local businesses and non-profit organizations: industrial space with many options for retrofit to accommodate their individual needs, affordable and turn-key rental space, and the chance at building a close-knit business community.Small business owners, often home-based who outgrow home offices, come into the Gallipeau Centre’s Excelerator Business Centre.

“All of these businesses were either home-based or brand new businesses,” says Tracy Gallipeau. Tracy is Vice-President and Operations Manager of Gallipeau Centre. She also sits on the Smiths Falls Chamber of Commerce Board.

Non-profits have been made welcome at the Gallipeau Centre for no cost, when space allows. Rideau Search and Rescue, a local football league and snowsuit fund are a few of the community organizations calling Gallipeau home.

OPERATING A BUSINESSThe businesses who have taken residence at Gallipeau represent a broad spectrum of industries and interests.

NuWhirl is an international producer of whirlpool baths and bath products, and those products are designed, engineered, and tested right in Smiths Falls at the Gallipeau Centre.

“We do electronic controls for the company out of California,” says Dale Van Spengen. “We run the engineering office here for them doing electronics design, circuit boards, software and electronic products that go to our supplier.”

Products are made in China but the process up to production is all carried out in Smiths Falls.

Hart Laundry Services has been located at the Gallipeau Centre since 2011. The fully automated laundry system has the capacity to process five million pounds of laundry every year. Using environmentally-

friendly products for cleaning, laundry items are properly washed and dried and the folded through automation. They provide services to nursing homes, hospitals, hotels, summer camps and more.

Hart Laundry Services operates in the old kitchen space at the Gallipeau Centre, which was easily retrofitted to manage their water requirements and commercial equipment.

Hilton’s Aqua Green Dispositions is an eco-friendly, water-based cremation service based at the Gallipeau Centre. Using a mixture of water and potassium hydroxide, heat, and pressure, this “green” alternative to flame-based cremation is new

Dale Hilton, owner of Hilton’s Aqua Green Dispositions, located at the Gallipeau Centre.

The Gallipeau Centre

1-888-983-4124 | WWW.SMITHSFALLS.CA

technology to Canada, and Hilton’s Aqua Green Dispositions is the only company of its kind in Ontario offering these services.

At the same location is Hilton’s Unforgettable Tails, a pet water cremation service that uses the same technique.

MemPore Environmental Technologies Inc. are leaders in oil recycling technology. Using nano-filtration membranes, the company has developed a method of purifying used lubricating oil. The technology was developed at Canada’s National Research Council over the past decade, and the company will roll out its first commercial system this year. All manufacturing for this exciting new environmentally-conscious technology takes place at the Gallipeau Centre.

The Two Rivers Food Hub connects buyers with local food producers, providing support for small farmers and food product entrepreneurs in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville counties. This not-for-profit helps

with wholesale aggregation and distribution as well as providing facilities and food production equipment for rent, on site at the Gallipeau Centre. Their commercial kitchen, processing and storage equipment are available to members of the Hub.

Will Spencer runs Rue Notre Dame Bakery, a gluten-free operation that he just moved to Smiths Falls six months ago. He was particularly interested in the Food Hub and the opportunities it presented.

“Because I’m a one-man operation, all my existing customers take everything I make. Now I can probably hire someone to help me, and we’ll start producing more bread,” he says. He was amazed at the chance to use industrial equipment and not have to rent his own space for running his business.

“This is an incredible opportunity. It’s affordable, and I have an industrial mixer and an industrial oven, so I can produce more than I could in Ottawa. It’s helped push my business forward.”

Will Spencer, Rue Notre Dame Bakery, at the Two Rivers Food Hub

The Gallipeau Centre

1-888-983-4124 | WWW.SMITHSFALLS.CA

Wonton Crunch creates uniquely flavoured and expertly crafted wonton finger foods which are distributed to restaurants, grocery stores, markets, and sports clubs and arenas across Ontario. The wontons, made by the Singh family, are created on a family-invented wonton-making machine that operates in the Gallipeau Centre in Smiths Falls.

The Singh family made a recent appearance on the CBC television show Dragons’ Den, where they made a deal with Canadian businessman Jim Treliving.

The Iron Kettle Cafe is owned by Adrian and Amanda Fournier, and located inside the Gallipeau Centre. The cafe offers lunchtime favourite such as soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, veggie plates and baked goods. They also create smoothies and protein shakes to order. They are open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GALLIPEAU CENTREFor more information about the Gallipeau Centre, about office, commercial, medical or industrial spaces available, visit www.gallipeaucentre.com, or call 613-284-9916.

Smiths Falls - A Business-Friendly CommunityThe Town of Smiths Falls is committed to supporting the growth needs of existing businesses and assisting potential business investors with new initiatives. This is achieved through economic development strategies that provide a full set of business resource tools to ensure success. After all, success in the business community means success for the Town and the people who make Smiths Falls their home.

Sensational Smiths Falls offers any aspiring business entrepreneur an incredible list of assets on which to build a foundation for business success. These assets include a well planned infrastructure, no development fees, good transportation linkages, a much valued quality of life, and a highly skilled labour force.

The Gallipeau Centre

www.SmithsFalls.ca1-888-983-4124

Ingrid Bron, CoordinatorEconomic Development & TourismTown of Smiths Falls613-283-4124 Ext. 1127ibron@smithsfalls.ca