June 3, 1999

To:East York Community Council

From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Subject:Goulding Estate - Ward 1 - East York

Purpose:

To provide information with regard to funding opportunities for the Goulding Estate as a Millennium project and the ultimate return of the building to the public realm.

Source of Funds:

Funding for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Goulding Estate will come from grants from external sources and the Capital Budget.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1.a Goulding Estate advisory team be established by the Culture Division with representation from Economic Development, Culture and Tourism (Parks and Recreation - East District and Policy and Development staff), in addition to East York LACAC Panel, the East York Foundation, and the Centre for Creative Ministries;

2.additional community partners be identified and added by the Goulding Estate advisory team as appropriate;

3.the Goulding Estate advisory team be charged with developing a funding proposal for the Trillium Foundation and any other grant programs that it identifies; developing a phased-in restoration and rehabilitation plan for the site in cooperation with the tenant; providing input to the Capital Budget process as required; and developing an operational proposal for the site's long-term use as a public facility; and

4. the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Council Reference:

At its meeting of April 28 and 29, 1999, East York Community Council requested:

(1)that the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism submit a report to the East York Community Council with respect to funding opportunities for the Goulding Estate as a Millennium project and the ultimate return of the building to the public realm; and

(2)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, together with interested community groups, to continue to work with the Tenants towards the restoration of the Goulding Estate.

Discussion:

The 1996 report from the then East York Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Operations provides a cost assessment of the capital costs for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Goulding Estate. These costs, based on a detailed conversion analysis prepared by ERA Architects Inc., are estimated at $783,000. These cost estimates need to be assessed in relation to the work completed by the current tenant, the proposed future use of the site, and the phasing in of the restoration work, with an amount built in for escalation of costs since the estimate was prepared.

It has been suggested that the City apply for Millennium funding for the project. The restoration and rehabilitation of the facility and grounds is proposed to begin in the year 2000 and proceed over three to four years, in cooperation with the tenant. The Millennium Bureau of Canada funds community-oriented activities. The main activities must take place during the year 2000 and be complete by March 31, 2001. The Ontario 2000 program requires that projects be completed during the millennium year.

There is, however, an interesting opportunity, given the community organizations which have expressed interest in this project, to apply for funding from the Trillium Foundation's Community Grants Program. This program is intended for new and existing programs and services at the local level. Municipalities are eligible if the project is part of a community-based collaborative effort.

This project meets two of the specific goals of Trillium's program. The first is to make creative use of existing community facilities, land and other tangible resources to meet community needs. Priority is given to strategies which increase the use of under-used assets or which encourage shared or multiple use. A second goal which relates to this project is the removal of barriers to participation in all aspects of community life, including building appreciation for local art resources.

The project also meets a significant number of the criteria of the Community Grants Program. These include:

(1)specific benefits and contribution to the community;

(2)collaboration, coordination or network building with other organizations and sectors;

(3)concrete community contribution and commitment, including voluntary, financial and in-kind support; and the degree to which Trillium funds will be used to increase other financial or non-financial support;

(4)probability of financial support in the future; and

(5)degree to which the work funded will encourage long-term thinking and lasting improvements to organizations or systems.

Multi-year grants are available for up to five years for $2,000 to $75,000 per year. East York Community Council has proposed that this work begin in the year 2000 and proceed, in cooperation with the tenant, during the remaining three years of the lease.

Conclusions:

The Goulding Estate project will benefit greatly from a collaborative approach to its development. The vision established by the former East York Council suggests "a unique heritage resource within East York providing a focus for arts, culture, heritage and the environment." By bringing City staff together with community representatives from the disciplines of the arts, heritage, horticulture, and the environment, we can develop a vital facility that interacts well with the community which it serves.

Contact Name:

Beth Hanna

Culture Division

392-5225

Joe Halstead

Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism