I invested in a GoPro Hero 5 Black sometime around the Black Friday sales in late 2016. Over the winter months in Southern Ontario, I didn’t really get a chance to try it out much. Time lapse videos of gray skies and snow covered ground just aren’t that appealing.
Go directly to the video shot with the GoPro Hero 5 Black: Guelph, Ontario Downtown
Also: A more recent article has been published at It’s About Travelling featuring images taken in downtown Guelph in the darkness before sunrise. Check it out here: Guelph Night Photos
As with every year, when spring finally sprung, my photographic senses went into overdrive. This was helped by a week vacation at Iberostar Ensenachos in Cayo Ensenachos, Cuba. The GoPro was a little scary when I got it. It’s certainly a departure from traditional photography. However, I read the best GoPro guides and did my homework. Now, I just can’t get enough of this little dynamo.
I planted a buckle mount on the dash of the minivan and now I’m hooked on creating driving videos. I had done a bunch a few years ago but the process grabbed more attention than I desired. I rigged a camera to a mini tripod and duct taped it to the dash. It did not at all stick out like an obtrusive sore thumb.
The compact GoPro Hero 5 Black with its inconspicuous colouring and the nice tidy mount take up less space on the dash than a GPS or cell phone holder. Plus, the video quality is nothing short of amazing. The lack of a focus function means the camera won’t decide to zoom in on a bug stain on the windshield from time to time.
Cruising Downtown Guelph, Ontario
So, I decided it was time to update the older videos I had up on YouTube. I started with downtown Guelph, Ontario, Canada. This article serves as notes to go along with that video. I used to stick to point to point routes. Now, I’ve decided that a looping route that covers more scenery is the better approach.
The Route
I started from the McDonalds at the corner of Gordon Street and Wellington Street East. Exiting the back way, I starting filming at the corner of Surrey Street West and Gordon Street. After a right turn on Gordon and a quick left on Wellington, I was off on the outer edge of the downtown.
Wellington turns into Woolwich Street at Macdonell Street, just past the rail trestle. After passing the River Run Centre and Sleeman Centre, I followed Woolwich to the intersection with Wyndham Street North. Since you can’t make a left onto Wyndham from Woolwich, I shot ahead a block and did a u-turn before turning right onto Wyndham.
Heading into the absolute heart of the downtown core, I turned right at Quebec Street. This area is known as St. George’s Square. I followed Quebec Street before turning left on Norfolk Street. This took me down to the intersection of Norfolk and Macdonell Street. On the right is the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate. On the left is a contrast in the historic Albion Hotel. The Albion Hotel was established way back in 1856.
Turning left on Macdonell Street, I followed this through the entire downtown core before meeting up again with Wellington Street East. I turned right and back-tracked back to Wyndham Street South. Turning right, I was once again heading to the core.
At St. George’s Square, I made a right down the tight Douglas Street, waiting patiently for a parallel parker that was having a bit of difficulty. The church at the end of Douglas, on Woolwich, is the St. George’s Anglican. At Woolwich, I turned left before making a right at Eramosa Road before heading out of town.
Guelph, Ontario Video
The Highlights
River Run Centre
Going north on Woolwich Street, just past Macdonell, the River Run Centre is a large building on the right hand side. AKA the City of Guelph Performing Arts Centre, the River Run Centre opened in 1997 after the previous building on the site was destroyed by fire in 1991. The previous building had stood since 1882.
Sleeman Centre
On the left hand side of the road, across from the River Run Centre is the Sleeman Centre. This 4,715 seat arena was opened in October, 2000 and houses the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. The Sleeman Centre replaced the aging Guelph Memorial Gardens. The Gardens were built in 1948 and were demolished in 2005.
Here’s a little history of major junior hockey in Guelph. It all started with the Guelph Indians in 1936-37. That team soon after changed its name to the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters and lasted until the end of the 1941-42 season.
A new, a much more successful, version of the Mad Hatters returned in 1947-48 and existed until 1962-63. From 1960-61 to 1962-63, the team was known as the Royals. The Biltmores, as they were also known, achieved the ultimate prize in Canadian junior hockey – they won the Memorial Cup.
The Royals moved to nearby Kitchener for the 1963-64 season. The name was changed to the Rangers and that team is active today.
OHL hockey returned in 1982-83 with the Guelph Platers. However, the owners were not happy with the sub-par Memorial Gardens and left for Owen Sound after the 1988-89 season. Owen Sound retained the Platers name for a while but are now known as the Attack.
The Guelph Storm have been in the city since 1991-92. This franchise dates back to 1904 when they were the Toronto Marlboros. After a short stint as the Dukes of Hamilton in 1989-90 and 1990-91, the team moved to Guelph.
Basilica Of Our Lady Immaculate
The icon of Guelph. The Basilica is often a symbol of the city and even has its own clear view by-laws that ensure the church can be seen from mostly everywhere. The church was dedicated in 1883 and was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990. This is a Roman Catholic church and it was built in the Gothic Revival style.
