While the Centennial Botanical Conservatory is on the chopping block in the city’s budget, one Councillor doesn’t think it will be shut down.
It’s one of the “higher-impact” items on a list from city Administration, which they say will save $133,000. It would direct staff to close the exhibit area and turn down the heat, “discontinue plant maintenance and divest as opportunities arise,” and reduce staff hours.
The Conservatory would still grow, plant and maintain public gardens, but the list says “demolition costs would be required, but significant cost for rebuild and operation would be avoided.”
Budget Chair Mark Bentz says the Conservatory shouldn’t be closed, calling it “an asset that we have that we are not maintaining properly.”
He says he it would require a lot more thought for him to commit to shutting the facility down.
“This is a decision that I think is going to fall outside of the budget process,” Bentz notes. “It is a big decision, requires a lot of analysis, and if Council puts its mind to it this year, it will require someone moving a resolution that we want information on this facility with regards to renewal, so we can make a decision.”
The At-large Councillor adds it’s not a guarantee that Council will cut every item that’s on the list for Wednesday night. “Administration is responding to a request of Council to find $2-million in potential cuts,” he points out.
Northwood Councillor Shelby Ch’ng and At-Large Councillor Aldo Ruberto have also said on social media that they are against closing the Conservatory.