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The
Gardens to stay open
On June 24, representatives of Royal Botanical
Gardens met with Minister Meilleur, Mayor DiIanni, and Chair Savoline regarding the future of
The Gardens. I am pleased to report that, due to commitments made, Royal Botanical Gardens will not be closing. We do not know the details but a collective decision will be made which will make
The Gardens not only sustainable but in the words of the Minister, "flourish."
We will provide more information as it becomes available.
It's a beautiful day in the Gardens.
Sincerely,
Grant B. Walsh
Chair
Message from the Chair of the Board, June 2004
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680 Plains Road West, Burlington
P.O. Box 399, Hamilton,
Ontario L8N 3H8
905-527-1158
Fax: 905-577-0375 |
Dear friends and supporters of the gardens,
There is much discussion and anxiety about the future of Royal Botanical Gardens. I am sorry for the uncertainty and concern which is prevalent in the media.
Please allow me to clarify the issues.
- The Gardens has had declining support from the Province of Ontario for 14 years.
- Breakeven has been achieved through memberships, visitor admission fees, provincial, municipal and regional support, philanthropic gifts, investment income and reduction in operating expenses.
- The financial reserves of The Gardens have been exhausted due to a number of factors including a difficult year for tourism in 2003 and declining investment income.
- Expenses have been reduced to a level which has made the institution unsustainable.
- The Gardens receives only 19.8 percent of its funding from the Province of Ontario, which is significantly less than the other Ministry of Culture agencies.
- The Gardens has requested an additional $1.7 million per year for the next four years, at which time, we project that we will be sustainable as a 12-month a year attraction.
The Gardens has a vision and a business plan for a dynamic future.
- If we do not hear a positive response by the Province of Ontario by July 31 then the Board has to make some serious decisions. It is NOT the date The Gardens will be closed as reported by some media.
Premier Dalton McGuinty has committed his support and has asked the Minister of Culture and her Deputy to work with The Gardens to find a solution.
We believe that the Premier will help us and that Royal Botanical Gardens will be a Provincial treasure for many years to come.
You, the citizens of Ontario, can help Royal Botanical Gardens by making sure that the Members of Provincial Parliament are aware that The Gardens is very important to this area and to this province. Your support would also be appreciated by continuing to book your events, sign up for camps and public programs, and continuing to visit The Gardens. We are continuing to provide an enjoyable experience that you have come to expect from Royal Botanical Gardens.
We will keep you informed of the latest developments and join you in hoping for an early resolution of this issue. Thank you for your faithful support of The Gardens.
Sincerely,
Grant B. Walsh, Chair
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