https://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran Wed Apr 8 11:03:13 2026 / +0000 GMT Universal Post Manager 1.1.2 [ www.ProfProjects.com ] http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran/?p=2946 Wed Apr 8 11:03:13 2026 / +0000 GMT http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran/?p=2946
By Brock Weir Aurora Council has shifted gears, reversing a decision to not grant proponents of Hillary-McIntyre Park $25,000 to conduct a feasibility study. The decision came at Council last week, following months of lengthy debate, and a further lengthy debate over the merits of the $10 million proposal for a heritage park comprising of three historic homes on Yonge Street. Proponents of Hillary-McIntyre Park, vision is for the Town to acquire Hillary House, Aurora's national historic site just south of Aurora Heights Drive, Horton Place at the corner of Yonge and Irwin Avenue, and Readman House, the Edwardian home sandwiched between the two, and build a “destination” for heritage lovers around the country. It would not simply be a park of approximately 4 acres, but include a large multi-purpose museum and banquet space tacked onto the central home as a revenue generator, and possible home for an Aurora Museum and Sports Hall of Fame. The group has proposed the majority of the funding for the overall project come from the Town's $33 million in the Hydro reserve account, with the balance from Federal and Provincial grants, along with private fundraising. “I believe in order to make an informed decision on such a grand scale that we are presenting today, it takes due diligence to decide whether you support this or not,” said project proponent Kathy van Nostrand. “We certainly don't want to miss this opportunity and we believe this is our only chance. “It is critical to respect, maintain and promote our heritage. We have a tremendous opportunity to create something very special that would not only attract our residents but strengthen that sense of pride and ownership in all of us who call Aurora our home.” Ms. Van Nostrand took the opportunity to address many of the concerns that had been expressed by Councillors the previous week, and during several meetings preceding last Tuesday's final decision, including those who said they were nearly certain they would not change their minds even after a feasibility study. For her, it was a matter of you won't know unless you try. Nevertheless, the $25,000 in funding requested to carry out the feasibility study was the chief sticking point. Councillor Paul Pirri, for instance, stood by his earlier comments he believed granting $25,000 for another group's feasibility study could set a precedent in the Town, with other groups coming forward looking for similar support. “It would be my hope that a feasibility project does get done, that it comes before Council and we can assess it on those merits,” he said. “I am not in favour then and I am not in favour now of funding feasibility studies.” A similar sentiment was expressed by Councillor Evelyn Buck, who said it is not up to the Town to put forward the money when the Hillary-McIntyre committee haven't done the same to further their dream. “Why are you asking us to do what you're not willing to do in determining if this is a feasible project – to take lands out of assessment revenue, out of our base assessment, take it out and turn it into something that, quite frankly, nobody in Aurora is familiar with?” she asked. People since the project's inception have come forward to say they will do things for free, countered Ms. Van Nostrand. Property owners – historian John McIntyre for Horton Place and Bruce Spragg for Readman House – have come forward saying they are willing to make a sale and other individuals in different fields have also offered their services. Detailed drawings were also created for free by a local architect. “Once the project gets underway we will feel more comfortable going out to the residents of Aurora to raise that money for something that is probably going to happen,” she said of the importance of the study. “I would never feel comfortable going out there and saying, ‘Can I have your support and dollars for this vision?' The Town of Aurora and their residents need to feel there is a vision.” A number of amendments were proposed and failed at the table before the original recommendation was largely agreed upon. One amendment was proposed by Councillor John Abel who said, from his perspective, he was in favour of the Town purchasing the lands from their respective owners, but said more information needed to come forward on how much they were willing to sell them for. His amendment was to bring prices forward and then consider the options at that time. That option, however, failed. Those in favour of the original motion said time was of the essence to secure the properties and a feasibility study is that all important first step. “Once it is gone, it is gone,” said Councillor Ballard of the opportunity. “I am not 100 per cent convinced of the vision that has been put in front of us. I have questions about financing, models, but I am more than willing to [study] it. Yes, $25,000 is a significant amount of money, but when I look at the amount of time and expertise that members of the committee have but into this, including architectural drawings, I think this committee alone has put more than $25,000 of in-kind contributions to getting the project this far.” ]]> 2946 2013-07-03 18:09:28 2013-07-03 22:09:28