Historic Shaw House reopens as the new home of Clarington Emergency and Fire Services Administration

Clarington, Ontario – Clarington has delivered on its commitment to restore and renovate Historic Shaw House. With renovations now complete, the building has officially reopened and will serve as the new home of Clarington Emergency and Fire Services (CEFS) Administration.

Mayor Adrian Foster and members of Clarington Council were joined by Todd McCarthy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Durham, as well as senior CEFS staff and members of the Clarington Heritage Committee, to cut a ribbon in celebration of today’s grand opening and officially welcome CEFS Administration to their new home.

Members of Council. Clarington staff, and the Clarington Heritage Committee cut a ribbon to open the newly renovated Shaw House.

Shaw House, built around 1890, is a designated heritage building located in downtown Bowmanville at 156 Church Street, across the street from the Municipal Administrative Centre (Town Hall). Renovations began in December 2022 to make the building accessible on the first and second floors, including the addition of an accessible, universal washroom, accessibility ramp and elevator. The house, which originally belonged to Jane Shaw, was rebuilt after a fire in 1888 and was considered one of the most impressive homes in Bowmanville. The house was purchased in 1975 by the Region of Durham and served as the home of the Edna Thomson Learning and Child Care Centre until 2019. After the centre relocated, Shaw House was acquired by the Municipality of Clarington and was designated a heritage property that same year by Clarington Council.

The exterior of the newly renovated historic Shaw House.

Clarington Heritage Building plaque on the exterior of the newly renovated Shaw House.

“A renewed purpose is moving into the historic Shaw House with our Emergency and Fire Services team,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster . “Our community is grateful to the federal and provincial governments for supporting this renovation project. The extensive upgrades have enhanced the building’s accessibility while preserving its history.”

Clarington received $300,000 towards the Shaw House renovations from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream, funded in part by the federal and provincial governments.

“We are proud to partner with the government of Ontario to renovate the historic Shaw House and create a more accessible and safe space for the Emergency and Fire Services team,” said Ryan Turnbull, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Member of Parliament for Whitby, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. “The upgrades to the Shaw House help preserve the history of Clarington while creating a more sustainable and innovative path forward for many generations.”

“Shaw House has held significance in our community for over a century. Our government is proud to preserve the legacy of this historic home while renewing its purpose as the new headquarters of our heroic Clarington Emergency and Fire Service Administration,” said Todd McCarthy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Durham.

Media inquiries:
Municipality of Clarington
Jess Khouri, Communications Specialist
jkhouri@clarington.net