RBG for LaSalle land swap?

‘There is some interest in exploring the idea,’ Hamilton city manager Chris Murray says

A potential land swap between Hamilton, Burlington and the Royal Botanical Gardens is now part of discussions involving LaSalle Park.

“Right now, there is some interest in exploring the idea of a swap,” Hamilton city manager Chris Murray said Monday.

Hamilton bought the 23-hectare Aldershot park a century ago but has leased it to Burlington for $1 a year since 1983.

The neighbouring municipalities have been trying to hash out a possible sale to settle the decadeslong issue.

On Monday, staff provided members of both councils with appraisals for the lakeside park during an in camera session at Burlington City Hall.

Murray wouldn’t say what those values are, depending on use, but noted the interest is to keep LaSalle open green space.

The RBG’s more than 1,100 hectares of land straddle Burlington and Hamilton.

It receives operational funding from the province, Hamilton and Halton region, which includes Burlington.

In 2015, the province contributed $4 million, Hamilton gave $599,206 and Halton provided $736,295.

Burlington officials have suggested Hamilton ought to give LaSalle to their city based on its location and the millions the lessee has invested in the park.

Mayor Rick Goldring of Burlington said council members of both cities had productive in camera talks during Monday’s Greater Bay Area Subcommittee meeting.

“We are making progress on LaSalle,” he said, but wouldn’t say whether the land should be sold or given. “I’d like to see that resolved.” It’s unclear how trading parcels with the RBG could settle the longstanding issue.

The RBG is aware of the idea, which is in the “preliminary discussion phase,” spokesperson Nick Kondrat said.

Coun. Judi Partridge of Hamilton declined to provide details, citing confidentiality of the discussions, but said any deal would be more complex than the average real estate sale.

“In order to benefit both communities, and in order to be fair to all residents and all taxpayers in both communities, we need to have a broader scope.”

City staff are expected to report back to the subcommittee in September.