And from the Post:
Kiwanis slams city for Casa Loma trust proposal
James Cowan, National Post
Published: Friday, June 02, 2006
The Kiwanis Club chapter that has managed Casa Loma for 70 years expressed outrage yesterday at a committee's proposal to wrest the castle from them.
The Casa Loma Advisory Committee (CLAC), a nine-member panel established by the city, has suggested establishing a public trust to manage the historic site. Richard Wozenilik, the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma's CEO, yesterday rejected the idea as "ill-defined" and "ill-conceived."
He added the committee has failed to recognize the Kiwanis Club's successful stewardship of the 92-year-old castle.
"We are probably the most successful heritage attraction site in Canada," Mr. Wozenilik said. "We may be one of the few that are profitable in this country."
Owned by the city, Casa Loma has been operated by Kiwanis since 1937. The community group pays close to $1-million each year in licensing fees while donating any remaining profits to charity.
Mr. Wozenilik said the city has failed to adequately reinvest its share of the revenue in the building's maintenance. "It's only because of their neglect over the years that the castle needs restoration," he said.
A $20-million city-funded restoration project is underway. Mr. Wozenilik said the proposal for a public trust is likely conceived as a way to spare the city further expense.
"They neglected and suddenly they realized -- holy mackerel --we have to restore this," he said. "They're going to establish a trust and get high-profile people on the board and the assumption is these people are going to go out into the marketplace and get donors to pony up money."
Rather than handing Casa Loma to a new trust, Mr. Wozenilik argues the city should extend his group's lease of the facility for 20 years.
The Kiwanis Club has proposed opening a restaurant in the castle's derelict hunting lodge, and creating a theatre in its stables. Mr. Wozenilik also said there is an opportunity to link Casa Loma to such nearby attractions as Spadina House and the Toronto Archives.
The CLAC report will be tabled at a meeting of the city's economic development and parks committee on Monday.
jcowan@nationalpost.com
© National Post 2006
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