Our Mission
Aquatopia exists to design spaces that create a positive sense of place, allowing people to better connect with the natural environment, themselves, and one another.
Our Facility
Nestled on 9.5 wooded hectares in the west end of Ottawa, Aquatopia Conservatory is a gorgeous facility unlike any other venue in Canada, providing year-round public access to a tropical garden centre oasis. Lush foliage and aquatic features, a unique contemporary architectural design, and natural stone floors make Aquatopia an ideal venue for; weddings, private bistro-style culinary events, parties, and celebrations. Our building capacity is 150 guests, and we have ample parking for up to 90 vehicles.
Our Story
Aquatopia Conservatory is the creation of interiorscape and water garden specialists, Nicholas Bott and Catherine Neville. With nearly twenty years of experience creating natural swimming pools, spas & water gardens in people’s backyards and businesses all across the National Capital Region, they were the perfect pair to create the tropical water garden spa-like oasis that is Aquatopia Conservatory.
The inspiration to produce weddings was born out of their own wedding experience. Nicholas and Catherine were married in 1997 at their home in the Gatineau Hills, and they produced their own Medieval wedding day complete with authentic period costumes, music, and food. Catherine even wrote a script for the ceremony in Shakespearian English, and Nicholas rode up to the event on horseback in full battle dress chain maille armour! Looking back, it was clear that their wedding day was foreshadowing the future that lay ahead for them.
After two years of hard work, planning & construction, Aquatopia Water Garden Conservatory finally opened its garden centre to the public, and the events team produced their first wedding in May 2015. The Aquatopia events team now produces numerous weddings and social events each year and has been recognized as one of the 10 loveliest wedding venues in Canada.
Our passion for creating spa like aquatic landscapes continues to flourish as our landscape experts design and build some of the most gorgeous aquatic landscapes in Canada. Future plans include on-site eco-friendly accommodations, a contemporary tropical nature spa, and urban agriculture dining, all on a pristine lakefront setting within the Ottawa city limits.
