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Monthly Archives: October 2013
Oct-30-2013 Public Meeting
|
Executive Committee consideration on October 30, 2013
| EX35.2 |
ACTION |
Adopted |
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Ward:All |
| Casa Loma Request for Proposals - Operator for Main House and Grounds |
| Confidential Attachment - The security of the property of the municipality or local board |
|
Committee Recommendations |
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The Executive Committee recommends that:
1. City Council enter into a twenty year agreement with the a newly formed company controlled by Liberty Entertainment Group (the "Recommended Proponent") to improve, and operate the Main House and Grounds of Casa Loma substantially as set out in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 16, 2013) from the City Manager with other such terms to be |
Posted in CITY REPORTS
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Oct-30-2013 Executive Committee Meeting
Re: EX35.2 Casa Loma Request for Proposals-Operator for Main House and Grounds
Speaker: Trelawny Howell,
Great-grandniece of Sir Henry Pellatt, builder of Casa Loma
Since 2005, I have being speaking at Executive Council meetings and sending letters to City Councilors and staff, advocating for an open governance process and revitalization of Casa Loma.
In April 2005 I received my first media support after an article I wrote on Casa Loma’s fate was published in a magazine. It was about the City’s unaccountable history of leasing Casa Loma solely to the Kiwanis Club since 1936. I was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma for six years and resigned in 2005 before writing my article. I knew firsthand that the city privately subsidized Kiwanis Club Charity operations for 75 years, renewing their leases without ever having an open tender process for competitive bids.
I took my article to the City’s Press Gallery. The Globe and Mail’s City bureau chief,
… Read the rest
Posted in Letters
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Oct-24-2013-Star-Restaurateur pegged to move into Casa Loma
(Original link at the Toronto Star.)
For 73 years, the Kiwanis Club had run Casa Loma but the city, unhappy with how it was being managed, took it over and a year ago and issued a request for proposals.
By: Paul Moloney
City Hall Bureau reporter
Published on Thu Oct 24 2013
The company that runs the Liberty Grand banquet facility at Exhibition Place has been picked to bring fine dining to the city-owned Casa Loma.
City of Toronto officials are recommending the city grant a 20-year lease to Liberty Entertainment Group starting Jan. 1.
For 73 years, the Kiwanis Club had run the facility but the city, unhappy with how it was being managed, took it over and a year ago issued a request for proposals.
Assuming city council approves the proposed lease, Liberty Grand would turn ground floor rooms and the patio into a fine dining establishment and use the library and sun room for large functions, said … Read the rest
Posted in 2013 News
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Oct-24-2013-CBC-Liberty Group floats Casa Loma proposal
Casa Loma, one of the city's oldest attractions, may be getting a new lease on life.
Liberty Entertainment Group has put forward a recommendation to revitalize the iconic Edwardian manor. The company is known for its upscale events and venues, such as the Liberty Grand and the Rosewater.
Their plan includes a restaurant and upgrades to the event space, revenue that could help fund a Toronto museum on the property.
A year ago, the city asked for proposals from companies for the future of the iconic castle.
"There were some ideas just to sell the castle, turn it into a hotel, maybe even a casino," said Coun. Josh Matlow.
Casa Loma's fate has been in limbo for more than two years since the city ended a longterm agreement with the Kiwanis Club to manage the site. At one point Mayor Rob Ford said a $20-million repair backlog and high operating costs may force the city to sell the 98-room manor.… Read the rest
Posted in 2013 News
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Oct-24-2013-680 News-Liberty Group proposes fine dining at Casa Loma
TORONTO – At long last, the future of Casa Loma may soon be decided.
The Kiwanis Club ran the landmark for 73 years, but the city scrapped the agreement about two years ago — and Toronto City Hall has been accepting proposals ever since.
Now, officials with the city and Liberty Entertainment Group are discussing a 20-year deal to install a fine dining restaurant and banquet hall in the 98-room Edwardian landmark.
The financial terms of the deal are not yet known, but CityNews has learned at least $7-million will be invested by Liberty Entertainment Group to renovate the tourist attraction.
The company declined to comment but details released by the city state that Liberty Entertainment “will make a significant capital investment in the interior of the Main House. Further, over twenty years the base rent from the lease will generate income for the City greater than that earned under continued management by Casa Loma Corporation.”
Under the proposed agreement, … Read the rest
Posted in 2013 News
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Oct.-24-2013-New vision for Casa Loma includes fine dining
Joshua Freeman, CP24.com
Published Thursday, October 24, 2013 12:42PM EDT
Last Updated Thursday, October 24, 2013 2:29PM EDT
A deal could soon be inked that would see Toronto’s only castle revamped with a fine dining restaurant, air conditioning and a busier events schedule.
A report by city staff is recommending that the city enter into a 20-year agreement with Liberty Entertainment Group to upgrade and operate Casa Loma.
The city-owned Edwardian Castle at Spadina and Davenport roads has been without a long-term operator since a previous operating agreement with the Kiwanis Club expired more than two years ago.
“We expect that with this operator the rooms would not be dark nearly as often as they are now,” Councillor Joe Mihevc told cp24.com Thursday.
The library and conservatory at the castle are already utilized as a banquet facility, hosting about a hundred events a year. But Mihevc said the site could handle more.
Liberty Entertainment Group already operates a number of
Posted in 2013 News
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