The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, November 8, 2012 · 10 By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Time needed to ponder Gairloch's future nate the option from a list of possibilities surrounding its future. The waterfront estate's owner James A. Gairdner bequeathed Gairloch to the Town of Oakville in 1971 with the wish the residence and the land be used as an art gallery and public park. Flash forward 40 years and the art gallery component to the property is set to disappear as Oakville Galleries plans to vacate Gairloch in search of more spacious accommodations. Also, the estate requires nearly $1 million worth of maintenance over the next 10 years just to bring it into a state of good repair. These developments created some doubt regarding the estate's future with the Town, which was initially examined last week as the Town's Administrative Services Committee considered three options brought forward by Town staff. One option would see the estate kept intact, but with the 8,500 square foot, threestorey estate house leased out. The lease arrangement could take two possible forms with a low rent lease being offered in exchange for the tenant undertaking all required and ongoing maintenance at their own cost. A high rent lease could also be offered if the tenant wants the Town to carry out the maintenance. This option was seen as positive in some ways as the Town retains ownership of the historically valuable property, which gives the Town long-term options. On the downside, parking at the site might need to be upgraded to attract lessors and nearby residents have expressed concerns about increased activity at While the fate of Gairloch Gardens remains unclear, the option of outright selling an historic estate to a third party has been taken off the table. The majority of Town council decided late last month that selling the Town property was simply unacceptable and voted to elimi- OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTO / @halton_photog ON THE MOVE: Oakville Galleries at Gairloch Gardens is looking for a new space. SHARE CELEBRATE WITH US ON NOVEMBER 9TH, 2012 Gairloch. Town staff said the site could be leased out as a bed and breakfast, a day care centre, a restaurant or a conference centre among other things. Another option called for the outright severing of both the estate house and the 1950's house from Town property. Under this option, the Town would retain ownership of the shoreline for public access while a third party would take on responSee Many page 12 Since 1959 GARAGE SALE DAYS ONLY ANNUAL · · · · 80 UP TO 403 Ha Lin FRI NOV 9TH 9-6 2 THE INNOVATORS OF COMFORT TM SAT NOV 10TH 9-5 Stressless recliners starts at $1399 GRAND OPENING % OFF IMG recliners starts at $998 SALE 50% UP TO OFF Up To 50% Off Amazing Scratch and Dent Sell-offs Huge Inventory Clear Out Display Model Clearance 100'S of Mirrors and Home Decor Items HURRY FOR BEST SELECTION! Teak dinning chairs starts at $299 Since 1959 BURLINGTON 3235 Fairview Street · 905-639-7106 www.plumbingmart.ca r ve r ste Rd . Cu EARN ONE AEROPLAN® FOR EVERY $2 SPENT ® Aeroplan is a registered trademark of Aimia Canada Inc. r Fai w vie St. Hours: Mon.-Wed. 10-6 · Thur.-Fri. 10-8 · Sat. 10-6 · Sun. 12-5 4080 Fairview St. (between Walkers & Appleby) · Burlington (905) 633-7226 · 1-866-556-7226 · www.scandecor.ca Gu h elp mb d an erl Av e e.