Relocation of the Lancaster Bomber
The Policy and Finance Committee reports having referred the following communication (September 14, 1999)
from Councillor Tom Jakobek, East Toronto, to the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and
Tourism and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for report thereon to the meeting of Council scheduled to
be held on September 28, 1999:
(1)respecting the Toronto Aerospace Museum being permitted to remove the bomber without being liable for the
cost of the work to the Park, and extending the lease to a 10/10 year lease with the appropriate mechanisms in place
to ensure that the bomber is on display for the public to view at all times; and
(2)on the future of the rest of the site and any military memorabilia therein.
The Policy and Finance Committee submits the following communication (September 14, 1999) from Councillor
Tom Jakobek (East Toronto):
For years, the Lancaster Bomber on Lakeshore has continued to deteriorate.
Finally, it has a chance for a new home where all Canadians will have a chance to see this important part of our history.
I urge the Committee to review the attached letter dated September 14, 1999, from the Director, Toronto Aerospace
Museum and ask staff to report thereon, directly to City Council.
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(Letter dated September 14, 1999, addressed to
Councillor Tom Jakobek from Mr. Robert Murphy,
Director, Toronto Aerospace Museum)
I am writing you in my capacity as a Director of the Toronto Aerospace Museum. The materials I am enclosing will give
you a little background on our organization's efforts to date to move the Lancaster Bomber from the CNE to our Museum
at the former Downsview Air Force Base. Our current concern is the proposed legal agreement between the City and the
Museum which contains several clauses which in our opinion go far beyond the intentions of the Toronto Historical Board
in awarding us custody of the Bomber in the first place. These clauses are of a significantly onerous nature as to make them
impossible for our organization to accept.
Time is of the essence if we are to resolve these issues and move the Bomber this Fall. In fact we are already one week
behind our originally proposed schedule due to our inability thus far to negotiate an acceptable agreement. The TAM, a
charitable non-profit group, intends to house and restore the Bomber to museum quality condition at no cost to the City.
This represents an investment on our part of about 7-10 years of effort at a cost of between 5-8 million dollars. The move
itself from the CNE to Downsview will cost TAM approximately $40,000.00. In addition, we have now been verbally
advised by the Parks Department that prior to receiving an occupancy permit to remove the Bomber, TAM must agree to
demolish the reinforced concrete pylon and related buried foundations which now support the plane.
We believe that in its present location and condition the artifact represents a significant liability to the City. Thirty years of
outdoor storage have allowed the Bomber to deteriorate to a condition and real value not much above scrap metal. The risk
of it falling from the pylon is not exaggerated and recent acts of vandalism only underscore the problems. This symbol of
Toronto's aviation history and sacrifice in WW2 is badly in need of rescue, restoration and display in a suitable
environment. TAM will accomplish all of these objectives. However, we respectfully ask for City Council's help in the
following areas:
(1)the City should contribute financially towards the costs of relocating the Lancaster Bomber;
(2)the Toronto Aerospace Museum should not be obligated for any costs related to the demolition of the pylon or
restoration of the Bomber's current display site; and
(3)in recognition of the time, effort and expense involved in restoring the Lancaster to museum condition, the term of the
loan should be extended to 20 years in order to allow TAM to actually have time to display the artifact in its restored state.
In the alternative, we would ask that the condition that the Museum receive no compensation for its efforts be waived in
the event that the City wishes to have the Bomber returned to it in the future.
The Toronto Aerospace Museum is poised to commence relocation activities immediately and a sizable work force of
specialists, volunteers and equipment is now on "standby" pending resolution of the agreement. Any help you could
provide us in this endeavour would be most appreciated.
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The following Members of Council appeared before the Policy and Finance Committee in connection with the foregoing
matter:
-Councillor Douglas Holiday, Markland Centennial; and
-Councillor Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, High Park.
(A copy of the background material referred to in the foregoing communication was forwarded to all Members of Council
with the September 16, 1999, agenda of the Policy and Finance Committee and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of
the City Clerk.)
