2- The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 17, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Future of Butterfly Park could be determined Monday By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER If the dream of butterflies and winter skating are to take flight in Bronte, the cash will need to be raised by the end of the year. It appears likely that the Bronte Butterfly Foundation will be given until Dec. 1 to come up with all the money it needs to finally make the dream of the butterfly park and winter skateway a reality. Last Tuesday night, the town's Community Services Committee voted to extend the foundation's deadline for fundraising until the beginning of December. Town council must still confirm that decision on Monday night. A memorandum of agreement signed with the Town last year had called on the foundation to raise 75 per cent of the $3.61 million needed for the project by the beginning of 2007, and all of the money required by April 1, 2007. Those goals were established as part of an agree- ment that would see the Town contribute $500,000 from its cash-in-lieu-ofparkland reserve fund toward the project. Under those deadlines, construction on the project was to have gotten underway this spring. However, Town staff has recommended the foundation be given an extra year to continue its fundraising efforts, acknowledging that "realistically the earliest the skateway would now be opened is for the 2008-2009 winter skating season." Proponents of the project, including Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson, who sits on the foundation's board, are still hopeful that enough money can be raised to make the butterfly dream a reality. He noted that the organization currently has "three substantial irons in the fire that we're quite hopeful about." But opponents, includ- "People are getting pretty impatient with how long it's taking to come to fruition." Brian Miller, president, Bronte Village Residents Association ing the Bronte Village Residents Association (BVRA), suggest it's time to face up to the possibility that the butterfly park may never fly. "We have a prime piece of real estate there and we all really want to see something there that will attract people to Bronte," says BVRA president Brian Miller. "People are getting pretty impatient with how long it's taking to come to fruition." Ward 2 Councillor Cathy Duddeck, who cast the sole vote against the time extension when the issue was considered at committee, echoes Miller's concerns. "We've had deadlines come and go, and we're really no further ahead in some respects," she said. Initially envisioned as a millennium project, the foundation has been raising money toward the construction of a 210-metre winter skateway essentially a skating pathway that could accommodate three people across and which follows the shape of a butterfly along with an interactive butterfly park. The hope is that the project, to be located at the foot of Bronte Road along Ontario Street, will attract more than 60 types of butterflies, as well as tourists and local residents, to the Bronte area. On behalf of the Bronte BIA, Murray McDonald told the town committee that local business people support the extension for the butterfly project, and see attracting year-round traffic to the area as critically important. "The concern we have is that there really isn't much going on in Bronte right now," he said. While acknowledging the frustration of those who are tired of waiting for the butterfly project to take flight, Robinson notes that the deadline extension holds no risk for the Town, as the money won't be committed until all other funds are in place. "People are getting frustrated that nothing's happening and so am I," said Robinson. "But (the extension) doesn't cost us anything." Along with voting to approve the time extension, the Town's Administrative Services Committee also directed staff to begin considering other potential uses for the 3.5 acres of land, which was donated by the Town and Halton Region. Cut from the wheel: stival Fe CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WORLD CLASS COMMUNITY FOR DONATING MORE THAN $52 MILLION FOR CREDIT VALLEY'S WORLD CLASS HEALTH CARE, EXCEEDING OUR CAMPAIGN GOAL OF $50 MILLION The Credit Valley Hospital now provides the best diagnostic and support care available to patients closer to home and boasts 330,000 square feet of new space offering: · a world class oncology program for residents living in the regions of Peel, Halton, Dufferin, Simcoe, Wellington and GTA West · radiation treatments for cancer patients, a first for our region · additional haemodialysis stations that are larger and provide greater privacy for renal patients. · more prevention and management programs for diabetes patients through the Diabetes Care Centre · expanded cardiology services including state-of-the-art cardiovascular and strength training equipment for patients · a healing environment for all, with light, music, living plants and the security of a home like setting that generates hope for patients, their families, and caregivers. Swiss Cheese 33,000 PEOPLE BELIEVED IN TAKING A STAND FOR A REGIONAL CANCER CENTRE. Oakville MPP is holding afternoon tea Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn will host an Afternoon Heritage Tea as part of Heritage week in Ontario Wednesday, Feb. 21. The event is free of charge and will feature remarks by former long time Oakville Mayor Harry Barrett, and Barbara Ann McAlpine, former president of the Bronte Historical Society. At the end of the event there will also be free access to a guided tour of the Gallery's current exhibit, featuring the artwork of Canadian born David Altmejd. The Afternoon Heritage Tea takes place Wednesday, from 1-3 p.m. (speakers begin at 1:30 p.m.) at Oakville Gallery, Gairloch Gardens, Education Centre located at 1306 Lakeshore Rd. E. Space is limited. RSVP to kflynn.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org or call 905-827-5141. · Swiss Emmentaler $18.90/kg ($8.58/lb) · Swiss Le Gruyere AOC Premier Cru $29.90/kg ($13.57/lb) From our kitchens: · Smoked Swiss Cheese Sausages · Swiss style Bacon Quiche Best Cheese in the World Champion World Cheese Awards Von Muehlenen Le Gruyere AOC Premier Cru FEBRUARY IS HEART MONTH. Meet Mr. Von Muehlenen to discuss and taste his exceptional cheeses at the following Denninger's locations: Thursday March 1 Friday March 2 Saturday March 3 Sunday March 4 Burlington Open Sundays 11-5 - 1289 Upper James Street, Hamilton 11-4 - 699 Guelph Line, Burlington 11-4 - 284 King Street East, Hamilton 10-3 - 699 Guelph Line, Burlington 11-3 Hamilton 284 King St. E. Mountain Open Sundays 11-5 On behalf of all the patients we serve, thank you for your support of the Carlo Fidani Peel Regional Cancer Centre and the Vijay Jeet and Neena Kanwar Ambulatory Care Centre. Please give. 699 Guelph Line Oakville 2410 Lakeshore W. Jackson Square 2 King St. W. Stoney Creek 826 Queenston Rd. WE KNEW WE COULD COUNT ON YOU ! 1289 Upper James St.