City commits to $4M
Funding for new Canadian Canoe Museum at Lift Lock spread over eight years
The city’s going to give the Canadian Canoe Museum $4 million toward construction of its new $65-million facility after all.
Council voted Monday night to offer the money over eight years, with payments beginning in 2019.
It was a change of plans, for council: during budget talks in late November, councillors voted to give the museum $2 million (not $4 million, as requested).
But on Monday, council was adopting its budget, and they heard from several people who urged them to consider giving $4 million.
Coun. Dean Pappas moved that the $4 million be given to the museum, paid over eight years. Also, he wanted the city to not increase its operating grants for those eight years.
Coun. Henry Clarke said he was in favour.
“I believe it’s the right thing to do, to support this museum,” he said. “Let’s face it: It will bring people from all over the world. I think council’s on the right track here.”
Coun. Gary Baldwin had spoken of perhaps giving $4 million over eight years, at a meeting earlier this month, but he withdrew the motion.
On Monday he said he’d be “delighted” to support the idea of giving $4 million over eight years as moved by Pappas.
Coun. Keith Riel said many of his constituents aren’t in favour of giving “one red nickel” to the Canoe Museum.
He also said council is dealing with the terrible situation of trying to help the marginalized find homes.
But officials from the Canadian Canoe Museum spoke to him this week, he said, and promised him they would make the facility a global destination.
He said he’d vote in favour of giving them $4 million, but he’d “hold their feet to the fire” to ensure they create a viable museum that would indeed be a national treasure.
“You have to do your job,” he said.
But Coun. Diane Therrien said she cannot support it in good conscience, considering the city’s other budgetary needs.
She says she can’t commit $4 million when council can’t seem to find a half million for housing and homelessness.
“We can’t seem to find the money to help people stay housed,” she said.
Coun. Dave Haacke said he didn’t support the idea of giving $4 million either, particularly as council is faced with trying to house the homeless and patch up streets that are in terrible repair.
“It becomes a challenge, between the wants and the needs of a community,” he said.
Coun. Andrew Beamer said he hadn’t changed his mind about giving $2 million to the museum – not $4 million.
“We have to balance the Canoe Museum’s needs with other needs in the community,” he said.
He said $2 million is “very generous”, particularly when you consider the high unemployment rate and the homelessness crisis.
There are roads, arenas, parks and housing supplements to fund, Beamer said.
“We can’t afford to be all things to all people,” he said. “Sometimes we have to make difficult decisions and say no.”
But Coun. Dan McWilliams said it wasn’t a difficult decision at all, to give the Canoe Museum $4 million: he called it “a very smart decision.”
“It will shape the city,” he said. “Knowing the talent and the people behind this, I have no trouble supporting this 100 per cent.”
Coun. Lesley Parnell called the eight-year payment plan “a very good compromise.”
“It gives them the commitment – now,” she said.
The Canadian Canoe Museum is planning a new $65-million facility next to the Peterborough Lift Lock. For 20 years, they ’ve been located in a former factory on Monaghan Rd. The design by Irish architectural firm Heneghan Peng calls for a one-storey building with a massive rooftop garden and an interior conference room large enough to seat 400 people. Government funding hasn’t all been announced for the project yet. The museum has already received $1.4 million from the feds - money meant to help cover design costs, such as architects’ fees. There could be more federal money coming from Ottawa, perhaps as much as $15 million. Meanwhile the province has already pledged $9 million.
John Ronson, the chairman of the Board of directors of the Canadian Canoe Museum, spoke to council on Monday, before the vote; he said a $4-million commitment from council will “go a long way” to ensure that the federal government gives money.
“We’re right at the front of the line for another $13.6 M from the federal government,” he said.
When asked, Ronson said he didn’t know whether the federal grant will necessarily be contingent on the city giving $4 million rather than $2 million.
He also mentioned there’s a lot of potential private donors across the country.
Ronson also said 85 per cent of the money will be raised outside Peterborough in a national fundraising effort.
“We’re very close to having a lead donor,” he said. “A very wellknown Canadian family - we need your help.”
Bill Lockington, a member of the board of directors of the Canadian Canoe Museum, said Peterborough doesn’t necessarily recognize the museum as a national treasure.
“We do not appreciate the intrinsic value of our museum that is so widely valued by others.” he said. “Your $4 million will bring $60 million.”