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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday September 30, 2006 - 9 Butterflies are free, not namesake park By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Butterflies are free, but butterfly parks aren't -- as the Bronte Butterfly Foundation (BBF) knows. Despite a rough flight caused by a learning curve, unfortunate timing and some missteps, BBF is plodding on to get shovels in the ground in April. The BBF wants to build a 210metre winter skateway -- a skating pathway that could accommodate three people across and which follows the shape of a butterfly -- and an interactive butterfly park that will attract tourists and kids in addition to more than 60 types of butterflies. It's to be in Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park -- at the foot of Bronte Road along Ontario Street. Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson, who heads up the BBF, is the first to admit the project -- taken on as a millennium project -- has taken too long to bring to fruition. Robinson and Susan Sheppard, who has been the BBW executive director, recently took some heat after hosting a public information meeting on Sept. 21 at the Bronte legion. Taking specific aim with criticism was Bronte resident and Ward 1 Regional/Town council candidate Margaret Mercer who said she isn't satisfied about how much the project will cost, how much capital funding has been raised and why it has all taken so long. "This begs the questions: How much has been raised? How far are we from our total? These are not unusual questions. People have been asking these and other questions for years, in fact seven years sounds about right which is when as a supposed millennium project the butterfly park was first proposed in 1999 and here we are at the end of September 2006," said Mercer. The candidate is joined by Ontario Street residents whose concerns are, according to Robinson, where a onestorey building to house the skateway servicing equipment will be located. "I'm 100 per cent behind them. We can't stick up a building that is going to impact or impede someone's views of the lake. We just can't do Margaret Mercer that. I've said that all along. We have to move it some place," he said. "It's taking too long. I don't like it one bit, but we've run into a series of situations," said Robinson. For starters, the community, anxious to get on with the job, initially began its work by setting up numerous committees in a bid to raise the funds, according to Robinson. Then it was discovered that fundraising is much tougher than it looks, and efforts were in competition with such disasters as the 9/11 tragedy, the Asian tsunami, and the devastation in New Orleans. Then there was the backer who pulled out. After a couple of years, the BBF hired a fundraising firm, however, Robinson said with most firms requiring money up front, the BBF chose a firm that didn't, but it didn't really produce many results. Robinson said the BBF doesn't have much in the way of capital funds raised -- it has some capital equity -- and numerous irons in the fire. For many of the goods and services committed, it would relieve the BBF from having to pay in cash, however, some cash is needed for professional services like planners. Sheppard said the Town of Oakville recently agreed to commit -- conditionally -- (Robinson calls some of the conditions "hard-nosed, but rightly so" for the Town) $500,000. That money would not come from taxpayers -- as Mercer was concerned -- but rather the Town's cashin-lieu-of-parkland reserve fund, a fund that sees developers contribute Councillor Ralph Robinson cash when a development doesn't achieve parkland the Town requires. The funds can only, in turn, be used to either provide or improve parkland in Oakville. The Town funds will flow if 75 per cent of the BBF's capital funds are in place by January 2007 and 100 per cent in place by April 2007. The project will not be able to proceed if the funds aren't in place. Sheppard said the Town's commitment is a strong signal to other potential funders. The Bronte Butterfly Park and Winter Skateway has an estimated value of $6 million. Approximately $2.5 million is accounted for in the value of the land, originally Halton Region, federal and Town land. Some $3.61 million represents the capital funds to be raised. Sheppard said it's expected $1 million each would come from government, private donations/fundraising, and the development community. Matas Homes is at work on unifying the development community to raise that portion, according to both Sheppard and Robinson. The $500,000 committed to by the Town of Oakville would represent half of the government portion. Sheppard and Robinson said the BBF's fundraising firm has been in contact with some cabinet ministers regarding funding. Negotiations are also underway with other backers, but neither Robinson or Sheppard want to divulge information too early for fear of compromising any deal. Susan Sheppard "It's all just kind of sitting on the edge," said Robinson. Sheppard said it would cost $500,000 to operate the park over six years. The Town has committed to picking up half the annual operating costs when the park is up and running. That would be taxpayer money however Sheppard noted the Town would gain a valuable amenity and contribute only a fraction of its cost. Sheppard said it's hoped the park will include an information/retail venue in the project's building as she noted souvenir sales are often used to generate operating funds. Operating costs of the BBF to date -- Sheppard's salary, rent, electronic equipment, supplies, etc. have been covered by grants that came from the Ontario Trillium Foundation -- the provincial government agency that doles out proceeds of Ontario's casinos to charity. The Ontario Trillium Foundation has provided $350,000 in grants ($150,000 in May 2000 for organizational support over two years and $200,000 in January 2003 for organizational support over three years). Sheppard said the Halton Catholic school board has committed educators to operate seminars. She said schools would pay to use the site. Sheppard said she's hoping shovels will be in the ground April 1, weather permitting. The park could be completed within 18 months. The park idea was founded by the Bronte BIA in 1999 and the BBF was incorporated as a registered charity. A gazebo has already been built. The winter skateway would help Join Now & Enjoy Your relieve pressure for recreational skating in Oakville. The Butterfly Park is to ultimately be planted with the vegetation and gardens that attract butterfly species. The project has the assistance of Tom Mason, an entomologist from the Toronto Zoo and the Butterfly Conservatory at Niagara Falls. Numerous fundraisers from the Monarch Ball, and golf tournaments, to the Festival Forest at Christmas time support the project. However much of that cash has been used to pay for the events and then operating costs of the BBF. There is a long list of local supporters -- who are donating in-kind. AMEC Americas Limited has pledged engineering and marketing services. The Oakville Beaver supports public awareness efforts and sponsors fundraising events. Xerox Canada Limited has donated supplies to keep administrative costs down. Metrus Development Corporation has pledged $25,000 over five years and supports fundraising through event sponsorship. D'Orazio Group of Companies and Custom Cupola & Steeple Co. Ltd. donated materials and labour to complete Phase I of the park design -- the 30-foot diameter, cedar Butterfly Gazebo inaugurated in December 2002. Fern Brook Homes is new as presenting sponsor of the inaugural Butterfly Golf Tournament which raised in excess of $20,000 for the capital campaign. CIMCO Refrigeration of Toronto, the largest skating rink contractor in the world, pledged $25,000 in-kind for refrigeration engineering services to help build the skateway. TD Canada Trust donated $10,000 to support the park development and bank volunteers have assisted with fundraising galas. Mercer said she wants to know specifics about parking, operating costs, lighting, noise and the building that will house the ice equipment. Robinson said he's asked that detailed plans be available to the public at the Town's Community Services Committee meeting on Oct. 11. Call the BBF at 905-825-2245 or visit www.butterflys.ca -- Angela Blackburn can be reached at angela@oakvillebeaver.com. Wellness For The Whole Family TRIED EVERYTHING? NOTHING WORKS? 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