August 5, 2015 – Parkwood Greenhouses
Receive a Federal Helping Hand
Nancy Shaw, President of The Parkwood Foundation,
announced today the receipt of a federal grant to assist in restoration of the
Parkwood greenhouse complex, of up to $ 502,936. The grant is provided by the Federal
Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program and is a matching-fund
program. Ms. Shaw noted: “This grant will provide up to 50% funding
for the complete restoration of Parkwood’s greenhouse complex, or glass gardens
- to borrow an early 20th century term. In fact our overall project is called: Saving Glass Gardens – A 2017 Celebration.”
Parkwood Executive Director Brian Malcolm added: “This is just the greatest news for The
Parkwood Foundation, as we contemplate the celebration in 2017 of Canada’s 150th
birthday along with the 100th birthday of this national
built-heritage treasure. The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure
Program and its theme - Giving Back to Canada - is an amazing fit with Sam
McLaughlin’s story as an automotive pioneer and philanthropist, and it’s sure
to be a point of inspiration for all Canadians.
Our Foundation is most grateful to the federal government
for making this re-investment in
Canada’s historic resources, and providing a tremendous boost to the efforts of
Parkwood staff and volunteers in heritage stewardship. We also thank Oshawa MP Colin Carrie for
championing the cause.”
Federal funding assistance will preserve an important
part of the McLaughlin story and ensure further educational benefits for
generations to come. The availability
of fund-matching dollars is an invaluable support for fundraising, providing
donors an opportunity to double the impact of their gifts and maximize on the amount
of work that will be accomplished.
About
Greenhouse Restoration
The Greenhouse complex at Parkwood is at serious risk
of continued deterioration and even complete loss. Timely intervention is required, which
fortunately will be made possible by this Federal grant support, and the fund–matching
benefit.
Parkwood previously completed a greenhouse restoration
pilot project in 2013/2014 on one of the greenhouses. This followed a formal conservation
study/report, and it helped confirm the initial findings and the restoration
requirements laid out in the report.
These lessons will then be applied across the five greenhouses, or glass
gardens still awaiting attention. The
results of the completed pilot project are stunning, and they provide inspiration
for the remainder of the greenhouse restoration work to come.
As always, Parkwood works with recognized heritage
specialists and undertakes projects in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for Historic Places in Canada.
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