Recently, Toronto City Council approved the disbursement of donated funds derived from the settlement of a community launched OMB challenge of multi-plexed Cinema development in my ward (Policy and Finance Committee, Report No. 7, Clause No. 9, September 28, 1999). $75,000.00 of the fund was approved for the refurbishment of the historically significant Maple Cottage at 60 Laing Street. To date, $3,575.00 has also been raised in community fund-raising initiatives.

I am seeking the support of the Budget Committee to release the $78,575.00. In addition, I am requesting that the Budget Committee recommend for the approval of Council an advance of $125,000.00 so that the entire refurbishment project can be completed in one stage. Completing the repairs to the cottage in one stage will help keep the overall cost of the project from increasing. It is also imperative that the repairs be made soon. The cottage has been empty and unattended to for some time. Any further delay will result in furthering the building's deterioration and increase the cost of refurbishment. I am attaching the architectural report commissioned by our Parks and Recreation Department that estimated the cost of repairs, to bring the cottage up to a usable state, is approximately $180,000.00.

My office and the Friends of the Cottage Committee are actively engaged in a fund raising campaign. I am confident that we will raise funds in excess of the $125,000.00 advance I am requesting. We are currently waiting on a decision from the Federal Government's Millennium Fund for matching funds. We have the support of our local Member of Parliament Maria Minna, Minister for International Co-operation. Should we be successful in receiving this grant, the amount of the advancement from the City will be greatly reduced.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

(A copy of the Heritage Property Report dated December 16, 1991, from the Toronto Historical Board respecting "Maple Cottage", 62 Laing Street, and the Architectural Report referred to in the foregoing communication, was forwarded to all the Members of Council with the November 10, 1999, agenda of the Policy and Finance Committee and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk).