Report to: General Committee Date
of Meeting: May 1, 2006
SUBJECT: Eckardt-McKay Landscape Design & Garden Campaign
PREPARED BY: John Ryerson, 905-477-9511 / Linda Irvine, ext. 2120
RECOMMENDATION:
That the report entitled “Eckardt-McKay
Landscape Design & Garden Campaign” be received;
And that the Landscape Plan for the Eckardt-McKay House,
attached as Appendix A, be approved;
And that the Fundraising Campaign and Targets, as outlined
in the report be approved;
And that the Donor Recognition Program, as outlined in the
report be approved;
And that funding in the amount of $127,000 be committed from the 2007 Capital budget; $86,400 from Development Charges and $40,600 from the Lifecycle Replacement and Capital Reserve;
And further that the additional operation costs in the amount of $6,400 will be brought forward for consideration in the 2007 Parks Maintenance budgets.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Owen
Scott, Landplan Collaborative Ltd., and Cecelia Paine, Landscape Architect are
a well-known heritage landscape architects selected by the Town to design the
gardens as part of the overall site plan and restoration of the McKay House. The landscape design had an initial review by
Parks and Building Committee,
The
total construction cost for the landscape project is estimated to be $192,000
including fees and contingencies.
There
are two components to the project. The
first is the hardscape component estimated at $135,000. The second is the softscape component
estimated at $57,000.
Staff is
proposing that approval be given to proceed with a fundraising campaign to
support the softscape component of the project.
There are 10 donation opportunities totaling $88,800 related to the
softscape component of the landscape project.
The campaign goal has been targeted at $65,000 for the McKay garden, which provides for
contingencies against pledges that are not honoured. Any additional funds raised beyond the goal
of $65,000 would be applied to the hardscape component. The proposed donor recognition program ranges
from 2” plagues to interior wall-mounted signage subject to donation level. The cost to support the fundraising and donor
recognition program is $4,500. This cost
will be paid for by the Varley McKay Art Foundation.
The
hardscape component of the project will be brought forward for consideration as
part of the 2007 Capital budget submission.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The project has two components. The hardscape component estimated at $135,000 and the softscape component estimated at $57,000 for a total construction project estimated at $192,000 (refer to Appendix B).
The following is a breakdown of the two components; construction costs, including fees and contingencies related to the McKay Landscape and Garden Restoration Project.
|
EXPENSES |
|
|
Component I – Construction / Hardscape |
$135,000 |
|
Component II – Softscape – Gardens & Planting |
$ 57,000 |
|
TOTAL
CONSTRUCTION |
$192,000 |
Funding Strategy
The total cost for construction of the landscape project is estimated to be $192,000 including contingencies. The proposed funding strategy for implementation of the landscape plan provides for a 50/50 split between DC funding and Non Development Charge Sources. The following is a breakdown of the estimated construction costs.
|
PROPOSED FUNDING
SOURCES |
|
|
Development Charges |
$86,400 |
|
Varley Foundation Fundraising |
$65,000 |
|
Lifecycle Replacement and Capital
Reserve |
$40,600 |
|
TOTAL FUNDING |
$192,000 |
To assist in off setting the costs related to the project a fundraising campaign is being proposed with a goal to cover the softscape component of the project. The campaign goal is $65,000, which provides for a contingency against pledges that are not honoured. Any additional funds raised would be applied to the hardscape component. The fundraising campaign will proceed with the understanding that this project will be committed as part of the 2007 Capital Budget.
The non-growth portion of $40,600 will be funded from the Lifecycle Replacement and Capital Reserve.
New population growth in the municipality has created demands and needs on public facilities that are within each new community as well as on public facilities that are town-wide and serve all sectors of the population. The landscape plan will enhance the existing situation and will provide access to new gardens and green space in an urban environment. The landscape project will provide the opportunity to increase programming and visitor experience while maintaining the cultural heritage of the property.
A 50/50 proportional split between Development Charges funding and non-growth funding is justified as the Eckhardt-McKay House and Garden Project is a town‑wide facility that benefits both new and existing residents equally.
The hardscape component of the project will be put forth as
part of the 2007 capital budget submission.
Garden Fundraising
Campaign Expenses
The funding to support campaign costs and donor recognition
program has been confirmed by the Varley-McKay Art Foundation to a maximum of
$4,500. The estimated fundraising
expenses are as follows:
Signage &
Recognition Plaques $2,000
Commemorative
Publication $1,000
Garden Party $1,500
Total $4,500
Operating Budget
Operations
Department advises the projected cost in labour will be $6,400 annually based
on 480 hours of full and temporary staff over the year including fall and
spring cleanup. Perennial gardens will require intensive care in the first two
years until the plant material is established after which time the labour cost
should decrease by up to 50%. This would
have an impact on the operations 2007 budget forecast. The Gallery has secured support from the Lake
Simcoe South Master Gardeners and the Gallery’s volunteers to help reduce the
annual maintenance cost.