Garson is close to our hearts. Jason grew up in Garson and still calls it home, so when we talk about this part of Greater Sudbury, we are talking about our own neighbourhood. Garson sits about 10 km northeast of downtown Sudbury, roughly halfway between the New Sudbury shopping district and the Greater Sudbury Airport. It has a true small-town feel, with the everyday conveniences of the city a short drive away.
Garson is the largest of the communities that made up the former Town of Nickel Centre, which was formed in 1973 and became part of the City of Greater Sudbury in 2001. Nickel Centre also included Falconbridge, Coniston, Skead and Wahnapitae, and locals still use the name today.
Everyday Life in Garson
Garson has full municipal services and high-speed internet, along with a grocery store, pharmacy, walk-in clinic, daycare and restaurants. New Sudbury Centre is about 12 minutes away for bigger shopping trips, and GOVA Transit serves the community. The George Armstrong Community Centre and Arena on Church Street is the heart of winter in Garson, with public skating, shinny and a walking program. The Garson Library and Citizen Service Centre on Orell Street is right beside an outdoor rink, skate park and basketball court.
In warmer months there are ball diamonds, tennis courts and a soccer field, and Cedar Green Golf Club is right in Garson. The short Garson Park Trail follows Junction Creek, and snowmobilers can reach groomed trails within minutes of home.
Schools
Garson has three elementary schools, in English and French:
- Northeastern Elementary School (Rainbow District School Board)
- St. John Catholic Elementary School
- École St-Augustin, a French Catholic elementary school
For high school, Rainbow District School Board lists Garson in the area served by Confederation Secondary School in Val Caron. School boundaries change, so we always recommend confirming the schools for a specific address with the board before you buy.
The Rest of Nickel Centre
Falconbridge is about 18 km northeast of downtown and began as a company town for the Falconbridge mine, now Glencore’s Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations. It has a wellness and recreation centre, parks, an outdoor rink and the City of Greater Sudbury Archives in the Edison Building, the former Falconbridge Ltd. head office.
Coniston is about 13 km east of downtown and only minutes from Costco, big box stores and SilverCity. It has the Toe Blake Memorial Arena, Coniston Centennial Park with a splash pad and skateboard park, a public library, and Twin Stacks Golf Club. The Jane Goodall Reclamation Trail, a 1 km loop off Highway 17, shows how Sudbury’s regreening transformed the land.
Skead sits on the south shore of Lake Wanapitei, about 25 km northeast of downtown. The City notes that Lake Wanapitei is the largest lake in the world contained entirely within a single city, which makes Skead and nearby Boland’s Bay popular for cottage-style and year-round waterfront living.
Wahnapitae lies east of Sudbury along Highway 17 and the Wanapitei River. It was the first settlement in Nickel Centre, starting as a logging community, and today it is a quiet residential area with easy highway access.
Who Garson and Nickel Centre Suit
- Families who want a small-town community with arenas, rinks and schools close by
- Mining and airport workers who want a short commute
- Buyers looking for more space, a bigger lot or a home on the water
- Anyone who wants quick access to the city with a quieter, small-town pace
Most homes in the area are single detached, from older mining-era homes to newer subdivisions in Garson, with rural and waterfront properties around Skead and Wahnapitae. Some rural homes are on a private well and septic system, so it is worth asking about services early.
Frequently Asked Questions
What communities are part of Nickel Centre?
The former Town of Nickel Centre included Garson, Falconbridge, Coniston, Skead and Wahnapitae. It became part of the City of Greater Sudbury in 2001.
How far is Garson from downtown Sudbury?
Garson is about 10 km northeast of downtown Sudbury, and New Sudbury Centre is about 12 minutes away.
Is the Sudbury airport in Nickel Centre?
Yes. The Greater Sudbury Airport is in Nickel Centre, between Falconbridge and Skead, and its mailing address is in Garson.
Thinking About Garson or Nickel Centre?
This is home for us. Whether you are buying your first home, moving up or getting ready to sell, Team KING knows Garson and Nickel Centre street by street. Call us at (705) 988-1022, find out what your home is worth with a free home evaluation, or send us a message and we will get back to you quickly.
Garson and Nickel Centre families who prefer French can work with Shawn Boucher (705-923-7118) or Aleks McTaggart (705-561-0946), our fully bilingual agents, from the first showing to closing day. Service en français disponible : agents immobiliers bilingues à Sudbury.