Monthly Archives: September 2012

Sep-20-2012 Trelawny’s Letter To Mayor’s Executive Committee

Trelawny L. E. Howell
Great grandniece of Sir Henry Pellatt
(builder of Casa Loma)

www.CasaLomaTrust.ca
trelawny@rogers.com
Tel:  416 927-9866

      Re:  EX 22.2 Future Options for Casa Loma

September 10th 2012

Good Afternoon, Mayor Ford and members of Executive Committee:

As you consider the staff proposal for the future of Casa Loma, Please take the necessary steps to ensure that past mistakes (outlined in my attached report) are not repeated. The staff recommendation for RFP’s (request for proposals) process, using an independent consultant to oversee the process is a good start.

Appendix C – Terms to be Included in the Casa Loma RFP
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-49693.pdf

 

However, the terms of reference for both should be bolstered to ensure the process is truly independent and transparent.

 

In 2007 CLAC the city commissioned Casa Loma Advisory Committee recommendations were to have an open tender RFP process following their 3-year study. Council choose NOT to follow CLAC’s recommendations and they renewed Kiwanis … Read the rest

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Sep-26-2012-CBC-News clip-Trelawny & Councillors-City Museum

Click Here -> Casa Loma’s Future – CBC Player

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Sept-23-2012 National Post – Reader suggestions for Casa Loma include college, casinos and Harry Potter theme park

National Post Staff | Sep 23, 2012 2:26 PM ETTyler Anderson/National Post files
Tyler Anderson/National Post files

“A Toronto Museum within Casa Loma and its adjacent properties would fill a deep void in our cultural landscape.”City councilors Josh Matlow and Joe Mihevc believe Casa Loma should be a city museum. As they explained in an open letter this week, it would be the best place to preserve Toronto’s history and make use of a building that is struggling to find a purpose. But not everyone believes a museum is the best option. The National Post asked readers last week what they thought should become of the grand structure. Their responses range from wedding venue to Harry Potter theme park, and everything in between. Here are what some readers had to say:

Colin Lacey: I think the City should consider a partnership with George Brown College. There is already a George Brown Casa Loma campus, which could expand their facilities to include the site.

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Sept-20-2012 CBC News – Councillors push for Casa Loma museum – Toronto

Casa Loma’s future
A pair of council members want to see a city museum included in any future redevelopment plans for Casa Loma.

(see video)

In a letter released Thursday, Councillors Josh Matlow and Joe Mihevc say they want to see the castle continue as a tourist attraction as well as a venu for corporate events and movie shoots.

But they also want a city museum as part of a package that could include a mix of businesses, including restaurants.

Toronto currently does not have a museum large enough to showcase its vast collection of historical artifacts. Instead, they are tucked away inside a series of warehouses.

“I think it’s time that we finally celebrate, protect and share our city’s history in a building that is just as iconic and historical,” Matlow told CBC News.

Casa Loma is currently in use as a tourist attraction but also plays host to movie shoots and corporate events. Casa Loma is currently in use as a tourist attraction but also plays host to movie shoots and corporate events. (Kimberly Gale/CBC)

Matlow

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Sept-20-2012 National Post – Consider using Casa Loma as a museum: Councillors Josh Matlow and Joe Mihevc

Josh Matlow and Joe Mihevc, Special to National Post | Sep 20, 2012 6:35 PM ET | Last Updated: Sep 20, 2012 11:16 PM ET
Tyler Anderson/National Post files

Tyler Anderson/National Post files”A Toronto Museum within Casa Loma and its adjacent properties would fill a deep void in our cultural landscape.”
  • and Joe Mihevc believe Casa Loma should be a city museum and make their pitch in the following open letter.

Future options for Casa Loma will be on the Oct. 2 council agenda regarding the future of Casa Loma, presenting a historic opportunity for a bold repurposing of one of our city’s most iconic landmarks.

As the local councillors for Casa Loma, we support the Executive Committee’s recommendations to explore more creative, and revenue-generating, options for its operation.

However, we believe that a Toronto Museum should be included for consideration as part of the Request for Proposal as it would complement and benefit the existing and potential uses of Casa Loma through increased

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Sept-10-2012 The Star – Toronto seeks operator for Casa Loma

TARA WALTON/TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTOCasa Loma had been run for decades by the Kiwanis Club until the city, concerned about its deteriorating condition, took it over last year. Now the city plans to seek another outside operator to lease it.
Paul Moloney
Urban Affairs Reporter

City-owned Casa Loma could enrich city coffers by as much as $60 million if the site were sold for condominiums, but that outcome is highly unlikely, says Toronto’s general manager of economic development.

The property comprises 3.2 hectares of land (7.9 acres) in midtown Toronto.

Before a sale could happen, city council would have to overrule the site’s heritage designation, change the zoning and overlook the history of the famous castle, designed in 1915 and built by Sir Henry Pellatt.

“Our recommendation is that it is highly unlikely that all three things would happen, so therefore it’s impractical to look at selling Casa Loma,” Williams said Monday.

Instead, staff recommended the city issue a request

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