The fate of the Centennial Botanical Conservatory got a lot of attention at a special City Council meeting Thursday night.
The meeting was focused on the Program and Service Review by Grant Thornton, which recommends closing the Conservatory to save money.
Councillors heard from six people, and all but one emphasized the Conservatory’s importance to the city.
Keely Banning is a member of the Friends of the Conservatory, and says it’s very concerning that the facility is still in danger of shutting down.
“Is our history as a city and as part of our nation unimportant, especially in a time when we’re commemorating our 50th anniversary?” Banning asks.
Fellow Friends group member Sandra Nunn also underlined the significance of the city’s 50th birthday, three years after the Conservatory celebrated its 50th year.
“Will the loss of our beloved Centennial Botanical Conservatory, through closure or willful neglect, be the legacy we leave for future generations?” Nunn says.
She emphasizes the Conservatory also brings plenty of tourists to the city, making it worth Council’s while to keep it open and invest in repairs. Nunn also points out the Program and Service Review acknowledges “there is qualitative value that certain facilities provide above and beyond financial performance.”
City Council is expecting a report on the Conservatory at its October 5th meeting.