Category Archives: 2011 News

June-15-2011 National Post – City assumes control of Casa Loma

Natalie Alcoba, National Post · Jun. 15, 2011 | Last Updated: Jun. 15, 2011 3:03 AM ET

The City of Toronto assumed control of Casa Loma on Tuesday, the inner-city castle that has been run for the last 74 years by a Kiwanis Club chapter, and embarked on a study of future options, which could include putting it on the market.

“I think Casa Loma is something that we eventually have to sell,” Mayor Rob Ford told reporters on Tuesday, after council passed a mutually agreedupon transfer of management to a city corporation without debate.

As part of the deal, the city is paying the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma $1.45-million for artifacts accumulated over their years at the helm, and the value of nine trademarks including “Casa Loma” and “Toronto’s Majestic Castle.”

Despite pouring money into a $20-million facelift, Casa Loma is an out-of-date venue that has not had the money to adapt to a changing tourism industry and

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June-14-2011 Globe and Mail – Recently renovated piece of Toronto history a good buy

The Globe and Mail

For Sale: Casa Loma

Recently renovated piece of Toronto history a good buy

ELIZABETH CHURCH

From Wednesday’s Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Jun. 14, 2011 9:07PM EDT

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford wants to put Casa Loma, the city-owned mansion, on the block. “Casa Loma is something that I think eventually we have to sell. That’s the bottom line,” he said Tuesday.

It is difficult to put a price on this historical fixer upper, but could the city find a willing buyer for the prestige property? Here’s a look at what perspective buyers would get.

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CASA LOMA

1 Austin Terrace

The back story

It’s been a century since local tycoon Sir Henry Pellatt broke ground on this sprawling five-acre

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Jun-7-2011-Town Crier- Kiwanis out at Casa Loma



TownNews

Kiwanis out at Casa Loma

By Karolyn Coorsh

June 7, 2011
Neighbourhoods: Casa Loma

It wasn’t exactly a fairytale ending for Toronto’s castle on the hill, but it was an ending, nonetheless.

On May 24, council’s executive committee voted to terminate a 74-year arrangement between the city-owned Casa Loma and its operators, The Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma.

The Forest Hill-area tourist attraction will now become wholly the city’s responsibility, falling under the jurisdiction of Economic Development and Culture. Over the course of the next 12–18 months, that department will determine the best governance structure for Casa Loma’s future.

Under the new transition agreement, the city is to pay Kiwanis $1.45 million for artefacts and trademarks owned by Kiwanis, including “Casa Loma” and “Toronto’s Majestic Castle.”

While the city will assume service contracts for continued operation of the castle, Kiwanis will hold weekly meetings and retain an administration office on site. Kiwanis is also to receive unpaid management fees … Read the rest

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May-17-2011-CBC-Toronto poised to regain Casa Loma control

(Original link at CBC.)

Casa Loma, which is owned by the city, has been operated by the Kiwanis since 1937. (Wikimedia Commons)

CBC News

Published on May 17 2011

The City of Toronto has agreed in principle to take back control of Casa Loma, the historic castle the Kiwanis Club has operated for almost three-quarters of a century.

The city, which owns the castle, has left its operation to the Kiwanis since 1937.

Under the proposed deal, the city will pay the club $1.45 million in exchange for certain artifacts and the right to nine trademarks associated with the castle, including the “Casa Loma” name and the term “Toronto’s Majestic Castle.”

The city will create a new corporation to oversee the operation of the site temporarily before it is turned over to a third party. Under the current plan, five city staff but no councillors will sit on the corporation’s board.

Council’s executive committee will vote next week on the … Read the rest

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May-16-2011 Globe and Mail – Kiwanis Club gives up operation of Casa Loma

ELIZABETH CHURCH

From Tuesday’s Globe and Mail
Published Monday, May. 16, 2011 12:00AM EDT
After three-quarters of a century, the Kiwanis Club is ready to let someone else worry about polishing the armour and sweeping the stables at Toronto’s Casa Loma. It has agreed to hand over operations of the city-owned tourist attraction in return for more than $1.4-million for the paintings, furniture and other artifacts and trademarks it will leave behind. 

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The deal, to be presented next week to the city’s executive committee, would set up a new corporation and board to manage the rambling mansion and develop a long-term strategy for the five-acre site. If approved by council, the pact will be the latest twist in a years-long debate over how to make the most of the massive property that has struggled

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May-16-2011 The Star – City to take over Casa Loma from Kiwanis Club

Article from the Toronto Star: City to take over Casa Loma from Kiwanis Club Published On Mon May 16 2011
Daniel Dale
Urban Affairs Reporter

The city has agreed to take control of Casa Loma from the Kiwanis Club, ending a prolonged power struggle with the charity that has run the struggling tourist attraction since 1937.

As part of a negotiated takeover agreement that must still be approved by council, the city will pay the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma $1.45 million for artifacts and trademarks such as the Casa Loma name. That amount is a $500,000 premium over the $950,000 the city already owed for the artifacts under a previous agreement.

The city plans to run the century-old facility for 12 to 18 months before turning it over to a third party, said economic development and culture general manager Mike Williams, who will likely become the new board chair.

The proposed

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May-16-2011 Globe and Mail – Kiwanis Club gives up operation of Casa Loma

ELIZABETH CHURCH

From Tuesday’s Globe and Mail
Published Monday, May. 16, 2011 12:00AM EDT
After three-quarters of a century, the Kiwanis Club is ready to let someone else worry about polishing the armour and sweeping the stables at Toronto’s Casa Loma. It has agreed to hand over operations of the city-owned tourist attraction in return for more than $1.4-million for the paintings, furniture and other artifacts and trademarks it will leave behind.

More related to this story

The deal, to be presented next week to the city’s executive committee, would set up a new corporation and board to manage the rambling mansion and develop a long-term strategy for the five-acre site. If approved by council, the pact will be the latest twist in a years-long debate over how to make the most of the massive property that has struggled

Read the rest
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