WELCOME to the "Press Coverage" BRONTE BUTTERFLY page. An initiative by the BRONTE VILLAGE B.I.A.; Conceptual Master Plan by AESTHETICS+DESIGN, global landscape architects based in Oakville, ON, Canada, serving the COMMUNITY, HOME OWNERS and COMMERCE











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PRESS COVERAGE

The following is a chronological listing of known press coverage assembled by AESTHETICS+DESIGN. If you come across any other media coverage, please contactlet us know. Thank you.



FOR LATEST COVERAGE - click here

  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: January 27, 1999 - page A3
    Butterfly Park project: Bronte's gift for millennium - article by CLAUDIA D'SOUZA with photo by Peter C. McCusker with descriptive text
    • partial reprint in HALTONLife - April, 1999, - page 6
      Butterfly park planned for Bronte


  • THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR: February 9, 1999 - page N3 (The Burlington News)
    Butterflies in Bronte - article by ED ROGERS with colour photo of design

  • DAILY COMMERCIAL NEWS: February 11, 1999, - page 2, report

  • NEWS RELEASE - February 15, 1999 known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - February 17, 1999, - page 5
      Sponsors may 'buy' pieces of park for Butterfly Project


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: February 28, 1999 - Front Page
    Bronte Butterfly park gains support - article by CLAUDIA D'SOUZA

  • THE TORONTO STAR: March 2, 1999, - page B2; AROUND THE GTA - Halton Region: Bronte banks on butterflies (3 paragraph report)

  • MEDIA RELEASE - May 28, 1999 known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - June 4, 1999, - page 10
      Bronte Butterfly project seeks donations
    • Oakville Beaver - June 6, 1999, - page 11
      Donations sought for Bronte Butterfly Project
    • Oakville Beaver - June 23, 1999, - page A9 (re-written)
      Ideas take to wings in Bronte


  • LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MAGAZINE (ISSN 0023-8031)
    page 18, June 1999 Volume 89 Number 6
    Ice-Skating Butterfly - article by PAUL BENNETT, senior editor
    COVER   content page   ARTICLE
    Copyright © ASLA


  • MEDIA RELEASE - June 11, 1999 known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - June 16, 1999, - page A3
      Butterfly project seeks volunteers
    • Oakville Beaver - June 18, 1999, - page 8
      Volunteers needed for Bronte Butterfly Project


  • MEDIA RELEASE - July 07, 1999 known coverage by
    • Burlington Post - July 11, 1999, - page 11
      Butterfly observers needed
    • Oakville Beaver - July 23, 1999, - page 3
      Volunteers needed to monitor butterflies
    • Burlington Post - August 13, 1999, - page 10
      Volunteers still needed for butterfly monitoring


  • MEDIA RELEASE - July 22, 1999 known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - July 23, 1999, - incorporated in Front Page article, see below
    • AbbeyOak News - July 30, 1999, - page 9
      Butterfly project taking wing


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: July 23, 1999 - Front Page and page 3
    Ambitious butterfly project needs support - article by Scott MacArthur with picture on Front Page and page 3
    general text about project (previously covered material) with media release of July 22, 1999 worked into it


  • MEDIA RELEASE - August 11, 1999 known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - August 15, 1999, - Front Page Headline
      Engineering firm backs butterfly project: AGRA donating special services to Bronte scheme


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: September 01, 1999 - page A4
    Ground Work - photo by Peter C. McCusker with descriptive text


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: September 29, 1999 - Front Page
    Gala will aid Bronte Butterfly Millennium Project
    Introduction to the Black & White Bronte Butterfly Ball
    • reprinted OAKVILLE BEAVER - October 03, 1999, - page 11
      Bronte Butterfly Ball Oct. 29th
    • reprinted OAKVILLE BEAVER - October 08, 1999, - page 5
      Butterfly Ball Oct. 29th
    • reprinted OAKVILLE BEAVER - October 17, 1999, - page 2
      Black & White Gala for Bronte Butterfly Project
    • reprinted OAKVILLE BEAVER - October 20, 1999, - page A8
      Black & White Ball for Butterfly Project


  • MEDIA RELEASE - September 29, 1999 - Professional entomology study completed


  • MEDIA RELEASE - September 29, 1999 known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - October 05, 1999, - Page 3A
      Bronte real estate firm donates $100,000 to Butterfly Project with photo by Peter C. McCusker with descriptive text
    • Real Estate: Oakville Beaver - October 20, 1999, - Page 6
      $100,000 pledged towards making the Bronte Butterfly dream become a reality by Exit Realty Negotiators
      continued on page 7: Bronte Butterfly will help increase business in Oakville - original media release combined with Exit Realty Negotiators media release
    • The Business Executive - Volume 6, Issue 12, December 1999
      Exit Realty Negotiators pledge $100,000 to Bronte Butterfly Project


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: October 10, 1999 - Front Page Photo
    photo by Barrie Erskine Black & White Ball - photo by Barrie Erskine with descriptive text about a recent tasting that was held at Carman's Catering at the Oakville Holiday Inn, site of The Bronte Butterfly Black & White Ball to be on October 29, 1999.


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: November 03, 1999 - Front Page Photo
    photo by Ron Kuzyk Butterfly Power - photo by Ron Kuzyk with text: Bronte BIA president, Lee Bernard and landscape architect Marius de Bruyn check out the design of the planned Bronte Butterfly project during Friday's Black & White Ball fundraiser. Land adjacent to Bronte Harbour will be developed into a unique butterfly-shaped summer theme garden.


  • MEDIA RELEASE - December 09, 1999 known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - December 17, 1999 - page 6
      Butterfly for AGRA - photo by Christine Smythe with descriptive text
    • reprinted OAKVILLE BEAVER - January 19, 2000, - page C6


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: December 25, 1999 - page A10
    WIN A PAVER - photo by Barrie Erskine with descriptive text


  • THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR: January 21, 2000 - page N1 (The Burlington News - front cover)
    Interest soaring in butterfly park plan - article by ROSS LONGBOTTOM with colour photo of Regional Chair Savoline and colour picture of design


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: March 22, 2000 - page D6
    Building bridges to future engineers - Article by Nancy Alexander, photo by Barrie Erskine:
    The article is about Monenco AGRA's Engineer for-a-day contest for students. A student had won the contest and AGRA had him work on the Bronte Butterfly project. So the project received quite a nice plug in this article.
    • Also see Rob Loach at AGRA - in NEW 2000  in Ontario Engineer-for-a-Day Winners' Reports


  • MEDIA RELEASE - March 22, 2000 - CIMCO gives Butterfly Park $25,000 known coverage
    • within Oakville Beaver - April 05, 2000 - Front Page within article by Kim Arnott - Butterfly Park gets $150,000 Trillium grant
    • within Oakville Beaver article - April 12, 2000 - page A4 - Developer donates $25,000 to Bronte Butterfly Project


  • MEDIA RELEASE - March 30, 2000 known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - April 05, 2000 - Front Page
      Butterfly Park gets $150,000 Trillium grant - article by Kim Arnott
    • within Oakville Beaver article - April 12, 2000 - page A4 - Developer donates $25,000 to Bronte Butterfly Project


  • MEDIA RELEASE - April 6, 2000 known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - April 12, 2000 - page A4
      Developer donates $25,000 to Bronte Butterfly Project


  • MEDIA RELEASE - May 7, 2000 known coverage by
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: May 07, 2000 - page 7
      Green for Bronte Butterfly - photo by Riziero Vertolli with descriptive text


  • MEDIA RELEASE - May 15, 2000 known coverage by
    • ABBEY OAK NEWS: May 26, 2000 - page 7
      Butterfly hires a Champion


  • MEDIA RELEASE - June 13, 2000 known coverage by
    • Abbey Oak News - June 16, 2000 - page 12
      Bronte cruises still available in June
    • Oakville Beaver - June 16, 2000 - page 14
      Tall Ship cruises benefit Bronte Butterfly Project


  • ENGINEERING DIMENSIONS (ISSN 0227-5147)
    page 13, July/August 2000 Volume 21 Number 4
    AGRA helps butterfly park get off the ground - article by Susanne Frame, assistant editor
    Article about the Bronte Butterfly project and AGRA's involvement; with copy of the conceptual master plan


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: August 9, 2000 - page A6
    Waterfront Trail five years into 25-year plan - Article by Scott MacArthur, photo by Barrie Erskine:
    The article is about Oakville's section of the Waterfront Trail. Within the article the following paragraph:
    Oakville's trail, of which there are five points - Bronte Harbour, Coronation Park, Oakville Harbour Area, Erchless Estate and Gairloch Gardens - has served as catalyst for many new environmental projects within the town. The Bronte Butterfly project and Heritage Trail along the 16 Mile Creek are examples.

  • MEDIA RELEASE - August 30, 2000 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - September 1, 2000 - page 9
      Butterfly counters wanted this weekend


  • MEDIA RELEASE - September 18, 2000 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - September 20, 2000 - Front Page
      Butterfly Project scanning world for best park design


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: September 29, 2000 - page 15
    THIS EXIT'S FOR BUTTERFLIES - photo by Riziero Vertolli with text:
    Lee Bernard, chair of the Bronte Butterfly Foundation and Susan Sheppard, Director of Development, Bronte Butterfly project recently accepted a $500 cheque from Lloyd Phinney, Exit Realty, broker/owner. The donation marked the first in Exit Realty's commitment to donate $500 (the cost of four paving stones) to the Butterfly Project for every real estate transaction that has been referred to them because of the project. The first to respond was Prudential Relocation.
    For more past press coverage (background) on this item, click here, or check our FUND RAISING page


  • MEDIA RELEASE - October 18, 2000 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - October 20, 2000 - page 3
      Newspaper to become 'voice' of Bronte Butterfly Project Oakville Beaver will be media sponsor for program - with photo by Barrie Erskine


  • THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR: October 20, 2000 - page N1 (The Burlington News - front cover)
    Bronte Butterfly earning its wings - article by LAURAINE WOODS with colour picture of design


  • MEDIA RELEASE - October 20, 2000 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - October 22, 2000 - page 12
      IODE helps Bronte Butterfly Project plant first tree
    • Oakville Beaver: October 27, 2000 - page 13
      photo by AESTHETICS+DESIGN Celebrating Butterflies - photo (in newspaper, not the one on left) by Peter C. McCusker with descriptive text about the IODE tree planting ceremony October 25, 2000.
    • Abbey Oak News: November 03, 2000 - page 12
      photo by Sheila Dulmage with descriptive text about the IODE tree planting ceremony October 25, 2000.




  • MEDIA RELEASE - November 16, 2000 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - November 19, 2000 - Front page
      Our mascot is faster than your mascot Mascot race Dec. 9 - with photo by Christine Smyth


  • MEDIA RELEASE - November 27, 2000 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - November 29, 2000 - page
      Open House for Bronte Butterfly


  • MEDIA RELEASE - December 05, 2000 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - December 8, 2000 - page 4
      Bears, vulture, dog and lion join Mascot Race


  • MEDIA RELEASE - December 14, 2000 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - December 15, 2000 - page 14
      They're off! - photos by Ron Kuzyk with descriptive text about the Mascot race


  • MEDIA RELEASE - January 17, 2001 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - January 24 - page A3
      Xerox donates expertise to butterfly project


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: February 25, 2001 - page 18
    BRONTE BUTTERFLY WINNERS - photo with text:
    Bronte Butterfly Foundation's Mascot colouring contest winners are, from left, Taryn Barcley, 9; Philip Sheppard, 5; and Jasmine Lauritzen, 7. The mascot was designed by Beth Malley of the Oakville Beaver. The winners received grab bags filled with toys and surprises.


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: March 25, 2001 - Front Page
    New look at Bronte BIA - article by Howard Mozel
    The Bronte Butterfly project received honourable mention in the second last paragraph (page 3): . . . Another focus for the BIA is the Bronte Outer harbour. Particularly exciting, says (Kerry) Salari (Bronte BIA Board chair), is the marina's restaurant and banquet facilities, which will help make the area a four-season attraction, as will the Butterfly Park. . . .


  • MEDIA RELEASE - March 27, 2001 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - April 04, 2001 - page A3
      Monarch Ball fundraiser to aid Bronte Butterfly park - photo by Barrie Erskine with descriptive text


  • MEDIA RELEASE - April 19, 2001 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - April 20, 2001 - page 10
      Early Bird prize winners promised stylish entrance at Monarch Ball


  • MEDIA RELEASE - April 25, 2001 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - April 27, 2001 - page 8
      Monarch Ball Fashion Tea Monday


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: May 6, 2001 - Front Page
    Changing face of Bronte - article by Angela Blackburn
    The Bronte Butterfly project received honourable mention in the second and third last paragraphs (page 9) of this acticle on the current and future changes in Bronte


  • MEDIA RELEASE - May 25, 2001 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - May 30, 2001 - page A4
      Still time to get tickets for Monarch Ball


  • MEDIA RELEASE - May 25, 2001 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - May 30, 2001 - page A4
      Check out tall ship at Waterfront Festival
    • Oakville Beaver - June 06, 2001 - page A8
      Sail on Tall Ship at Waterfront Festival
    • Oakville Beaver - June 22, 2001 - page 12
      Room for more passengers on tall ship


  • MEDIA RELEASE - June 06, 2001 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - June 08, 2001 - page 20
      Sail away to mystery June 23
    • North News - June 15, 2001 - page 9
      Murder mystery on tall ship at Waterfront Festival
    • Oakville Beaver - June 22, 2001 - page 12
      Room for more passengers on tall ship


  • PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT - June 11, 2001 - known coverage by . . .
    • North News - June 15, 2001 - page 6
      Ecumenical cruise
    • Oakville Beaver - June 22, 2001 - page 12
      Room for more passengers on tall ship


  • MEDIA RELEASE - August 8, 2001 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - August 10, 2001 - page 10
      Volunteers entomologist wanted for butterfly study


  • MEDIA RELEASE - October 10, 2001 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - October 12, 2001 - page 16
      Butterfly Park gazebo open house Wednesday
    • Oakville Beaver - October 17, 2001 - page B2
      Bronte Butterfly open house at Bronte Legion


  • MEDIA RELEASE - October 16, 2001 - Butterfly announces new web page address and Christmas gift campaign


  • MEDIA RELEASE - November 06, 2001 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - November 11, 2001 - page 10
      Bronte Butterfly Foundation elects new executive with photo


  • MEDIA RELEASE - December 18, 2001 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - December 21, 2001 - page 3 (with front page headliner)
      Bronte Butterfly Gazebo passes last planning hurdle


  • MEDIA RELEASE - May 08, 2002 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - May 10, 2002 - page 20
      Empire Sandy returns to Bronte Harbour
    • Oakville Beaver - May 15, 2002 - page B4
      Tall Ship returns to Oakville
    • Oakville Beaver - June 7, 2002 - page 30
      Mention in: Pirates invade Bronte for festival

     

  • MEDIA RELEASE - May 28, 2002 - known coverage by

    • Oakville Beaver - June 09, 2002 - page 14
      Bronte Butterfly announces new Veteran's Square
    • Oakville Beaver - June 30, 2002 - page 3
      Veterans' Square in Bronte Butterfly Park

     

  • MEDIA RELEASE - May 31, 2002 - known coverage by

    • Oakville Beaver - June 07, 2002 - page 7
      Bronte Butterfly adds new cruise
    • Oakville Beaver - June 19, 2002 - page B7
      A relaxing afternoon aboard the Tall Ship Empire Sandy - Butterfly adds new cruise


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: June 09, 2002 - page 28
    $5-M banquet centre set to open in July - article by Robb Swybrous
    The Bronte Butterfly project is mentioned in the article about the new marina; It's being build in the harbour area next to the new butterfly centre . . .


  • CH News: June 26, 2002 - evening news coverage


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: June 26, 2002 - page D1
    Multicultural festival at Coronation Park - The Bronte Village BIA and Halton Multicultural Council announce the annual co-operative efforts to celebrate Canada's National Birthday on July 1.
    . . . The Trafalgar Roray Club of North Oakville will also be in Bronte doing fundraising for the Bronte Butterfly project. . . . . . .


  • MEDIA RELEASE - July 05, 2002 - known coverage by
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: July 12, 2002 - page 25
      Tall ship helps raise $10,000 for butterfly foundation


  • MEDIA RELEASE - July 17, 2002 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - July 19, 2002 - page 15
      Monarch Ball at Harbour Lighthouse Conference Centre Sept.28
    • Oakville Beaver - August 02, 2002 - page 19
      Monarch Ball takes flight
    • Oakville Beaver - August 30, 2002 - page 21
      Monarch Ball tickets still available
    • Oakville Beaver - September 4, 2002 - page A2
      Having a Ball with pictures by Chantal Ayotte


  • MEDIA RELEASE - July 31, 2002 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - August 02, 2002 - page 13
      Butterflies and trail walk at new nature fair in Bronte
    • Oakville Beaver - August 16, 2002 - page 21
      Arts, crafts and nature fair in Bronte


  • MEDIA RELEASE - August 07, 2002 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - August 09, 2002 - Front Page Header with article on page 23
      Laura Hutton brings Jump Street Band to Monarch Ball - Gala fundraiser at Harbour Lighthouse Sept. 28


  • MEDIA RELEASE - August 12, 2002 - known coverage by
    • Oakville Beaver - August 16, 2002 - page 21
      Arts, crafts and nature fair in Bronte


  • MEDIA RELEASE - September 16, 2002 - known coverage by
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: September 20, 2002 - page 32
      Monarch Ball auction offers lunch with police chief


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: October 11, 2002 - page 31
    The future looks bright for the Harbour Banquet & Conference Centre - article by Andrea Lepore
    The Bronte Butterfly project is mentioned in the article about the new marina; As for the community, the Bronte Butterfly Foundation has planned the construction of a Butterfly Community etc.


  • MEDIA RELEASE - September 30, 2002 - known coverage by
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: October 02, 2002 - page A3
      Butterfly gazebo should be ready for Christmas with picture by Chantal Ayotte


  • MEDIA RELEASE - October 16, 2002 - Monarch Ball Raises Over $20,000 for Butterfly


  • MEDIA RELEASE - October 28, 2002 - known coverage by
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: November 08, 2002 - page 15
      Butterfly Sod-Turning with photo by Barrie Erskine and picture of Teresa Thompson's gazebo rendering


  • MEDIA RELEASE - December 09, 2002 - known coverage by

  • MEDIA RELEASE - February 05, 2003 - known coverage by
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: February 07, 2003 - page 9
      Butterfly Foundation receives $200,000 Trillium grant


  • MEDIA RELEASE - February 19, 2003 - known coverage by
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: February 28, 2003 - page 17
      Robinson named new chair of Bronte Butterfly Foundation with photos by Peter C. McCusker


  • MEDIA RELEASE - May 07, 2003 - known coverage by
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: May 9, 2003 - page 19
      Butterfly Foundation offers three tall ship cruises

  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: May 17, 2003 - page 10 & May 30, 2003 - page 14
    - regarding Bill Hill celebrations in Bronte and the Bronte Butterfly Foundation's booth on upcoming Tall ship Cruises


  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: May 28, 2003 - page C1
    Love of butterflies - Amateur collector pursues hobby with passion by Wilma Blokhuis with photos by Harrison Smith and Barrie Erskine
    A wonderful article about Wodek Gregory and his passion for butterflies - he recently donated five display boxes of Butterflies to the BB

  • MEDIA RELEASE - June 09, 2003 - known coverage by
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: June 13, 2003 - page 34
      Sail a Tall Ship turns business into pleasure during Waterfront Festival
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: June 18, 2003 - page C2
      Board the Empire Sandy this weekend

  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: June 21, 2003 - page 5
    Fire Works will fly over Bronte on Canada Day - . . . There will also be entertainment in the Beer Garden and a percentage of the profits from the Beer Garden will go to the Bronte Butterfly Foundation. Proceeds of the regarding Bill Hill celebrations in Bronte and the Bronte Butterfly. . . .


  • MEDIA RELEASE - June 26, 2003 - known coverage by
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: June 27, 2003 - page 20
      Spend Canada Day counting butterflies in Bronte - Family walkabout intended to be educational and fun


  • MEDIA RELEASE - July 16, 2003 - Tall Ship Another Fundraising Success






  • MEDIA RELEASE - September 22, 2003 - known coverage by
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: September 26, 2003 - page 17
      Black-tie Monarch Ball set to fly on Oct.25
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: October 08, 2003 - page C2
      Monarch Ball ready to take off

     

  • MEDIA RELEASE - October ?, 2003 - known coverage by
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: October 15, 2003 - page A7
      Butterfly exhibit at Monarch Ball
    • OAKVILLE BEAVER: October 17, 2003 - page 17
      Display showcases butterflies - Unique exhibit to make appearance at Oct. 25 ball

     

  • OAKVILLE BEAVER: October 29, 2003 - page B1
    Bronte Butterfly takes flight - article by Wilma Blockhuis with concept drawing by AESTHETICS+DESIGN, new logo by Andrea Nairn, artist, and a picture by Nick Perry from the 3rd Annual Monarch Ball
    Article about The Bronte Butterfly project, now named the BUTTERFLY PARK & WINTER SKATEWAY OAKVILLE. Project completion now set for 2005
     

     



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designers of The Bronte Butterfly ©1997-2003



The Oakville Beaver
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 27, 1999

Photo in BEAVER by Peter C. McCusker
in the main section - page A3
Butterfly Park project
Bronte's gift for millennium
By Claudia D'Souza - photo by Peter C. McCusker
SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER
    The Bronte Butterfly Millennium Project hopes to breathe new life and lasting vitality into a largely unused portion of the Bronte Heritage Village Waterfront Park.
    Spearheaded by the Bronte Business Improvement Area (BIA) representing 175 local merchants, the regional project will see the land adjacent to Bronte Harbour developed into a unique butterfly-shaped summer theme garden with fountains and a flowing waterway that will convert into an artificial ice skateway in the winter. The result will be a year-round destination for tourists and residents alike.
    Supported by extensive research, the BIA has identified that although Bronte has a special charm on its own, further development of the park at the foot of Bronte Village, will help make it a major resource and community treasure.
    "It is a worthwhile millennium project that’s a lasting legacy for the community for years to come," said Lou Hunter, Bronte BIA manager.
    A corporate fund raising campaign is now underway to help partially cover the first phase of the $2.4 million dollar project by the end of February. Local MPP’s and Oakville MP Bonnie Brown are currently promoting it with the provincial and federal governments to secure municipal millennium grant funding.
    "Isabel Bassett, Minister of Culture, recently announced $20 million will be earmarked for millennium projects," explained Oakville South MPP Gary Carr. "We are hopeful and confident we will secure some of the funds for this excellent project. The BIA has done a great job and my feeling is we should do what we can to improve Bronte and make it a tourist attraction."
    Carr noted the concept is not unlike the number of skating rinks and hockey arenas born out of Canada’s Centennial birthday celebrations held in 1967. Its location is fitting, he added, since the park is the last piece of undeveloped lakefront resulting from a multi-million dollar investment by the federal and provincial governments several years ago. Local and regional politicians are looking into the issue of a potential parking shortage in the area once the park is up and running, he said.
    The project will be completed in two phases. The $1.8 million Phase 1 would see construction begin this June with the grand opening of the skateway, a change room, concession stand and maintenance facilities slated for Jan. 1, 2000, just in time for millennium celebrations. The $600,000 Phase 2 component to be finished in the summer of 2000, would see the completion of the gardens, a gazebo at the foot of Jones Street and a spraying fountain in the lake.
    The unique butterfly shaped design is the brainchild of chief landscape architect, Marius de Bruyn, owner of Oakville’s AESTHETICS+DESIGN.
    "The BIA approached me in December to come up with a few different concepts," he recalled. "I submitted several plans and they chose the butterfly configuration to promote a family-oriented feel for the park. The curving shape of the 206 metre long by 5 metre wide skateway lends itself to leisure outings as opposed to speed skating and hockey."
    Instrumental in seeing the skateway come to fruition are local ETCETERA, Etc. restaurateur Eddie Tsang and BIA board of directors’ chair Lee Bernard, who have long lobbied for a family skating rink in the area.
    Acknowledging the popularity of gardens with plants meant to attract butterflies, de Bruyn envisions, at the height of the season, visitors standing on the sunken patio, will be virtually surrounded by the colourful creatures.
    "There is nothing of this size in the area. The closest butterfly conservatory is in Niagara Falls and the next closest is Point Pelee, their destination before migrating to Mexico in the winter."
    The environmentally sound design means lake water will pump into a drain from the flowing eight-inch deep waterway flanked by a walkway of recycled rubber paving stones. A public viewing point on top of the facilities structure will give a bird’s eye view of the butterfly design, gardens and skating rink.
    For those wanting a preview, project display boards are available for public viewing at the Bronte BIA and ETCETERA, Etc.






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The Oakville Beaver
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28, 1999
Front Page
Bronte Butterfly park gains support
By Claudia D'Souza
SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER
    The Bronte Butterfly Millennium Project has taken flight.
    A public information meeting held at the Bronte Legion Wednesday night drew about 50 area residents who for the most part, enthusiastically supported the $2.5 million project.
    The meeting began with an overview led by the Bronte Business Improvement Area’s (BIA) Lee Bernard and Andres Paara assisted by chief landscape architect Marius de Bruyn.
    Spearheaded by the BIA, the project will see the largely unused land in the Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park developed into a unique butterfly-shaped summer theme garden with fountains and a flowing waterway that converts into an artificial ice skateway in the winter.
    The goal is to establish a year-round destination for tourists and residents and the timeline is ambitious. Organizers are determined the first phase, the 206m x 5m skateway, will be operational for New Year’s Eve millennium celebrations with construction targeted to begin this summer.
    "This is Bronte’s gift to the millennium," Bernard said. "With this project, we’re setting ourselves up to be a star in the sky of Ontario. We want to give this park back to the people."
    During the question and answer period, most residents expressed their support and one equated it to "payback" for the marina expansion woes experienced by the community several years ago.
    "It will save the park from becoming more marina-controlled," said one woman who didn’t want to be identified. ‘It’s the saving grace and I welcome it. It’s a fresh plan that maintains the natural environment."
    However, Bronte resident, Brian Sipkema felt the concept was to insular in relation to other waterfront communities and should include additional amenities that cater to young families. He also questioned the use of land directly to the east of the park identified by Paara as one of the most underutilized parts of town.
    "It’s not big enough to be a year-round community draw," Sipkema stated. "There should be barbecue pits, a sandy beach area and a room for rollerblading and biking facilities."
    Bernard disagrees in the year-round draw theory but revealed the eventual goal is to development the land to the east. She envisions a children playground, paddleboats and picnic tables.
    "If we start with something, the rest will follow. Development on the east side won’t be that expensive."
    Other concerns included the intrusiveness of geese in the area, increased traffic, emergency vehicle access, potential loitering and parking problems.
    de Bruyn explained there are two access points for emergency vehicles while parking and potential loitering issues are currently under review. As for the geese, he recently learned of a high tech gadget that emits sound waved inaudible to people and dogs, but offensive to geese. The plan is to include these types of "extras" to an amenities wish list to be fulfilled depending on the success of the ongoing corporate and community-driven fundraising campaign.
    Ward 1 councillor Kevin Flynn addressed the traffic concerns by explaining council has already approved the widening of Burloak Drive and the long awaited construction of the Rebecca Street bridge in 2000 and 2001.
    This coupled with the extension of the 407 slated for this spring will do much to alleviate rush hour traffic congestion, he said.
    The next hurdle is getting the engineering study underway de Bruyn explained, but this could cost up to $10,000.
    Although the region awaits news on millennium grant funding from the federal government, fast-tracking the project will rest heavily on the success of its fundraising campaign. Since taxpayer’s dollars are not being used, Bernard encouraged the community to consider purchasing one of the 20,000 items (pavers, benches, rubber pavers, trees, etc.) made available for donation. Donors will have their corporate of family name(s) recognized on or near each item.
    "It’s a memorial to you and your family for the millennium - it’s an important time in our century and we’ll mark it well," she said.
    For those wanting to view the plan, display boards are available for public viewing at the Bronte BIA or on the Internet at plus-design.com/butterfly.
    Call 825-3258 for more information.



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