After wresting control of Forest Hill’s storied castle from the Kiwanis Club and creating a corporation to oversee its operations in the interim, Toronto City Council will soon be presented with recommendations on the local landmark’s future.
The Casa Loma Corporation recently consulted with local residents as part of the process. Their feedback will be taken into account when the corporation reports back to the executive committee this month.
The central question to be addressed is whether to maintain or change the use of Casa Loma, which currently operates as a tourist attraction and special events venue.
Making the matter more urgent is a desperate need for capital, to bring the site into a state of good repair — an estimated $20 million for the exteriors and unknown costs for the interiors.
Despite heritage and zoning restrictions placed on the property, real estate players who weighed in on the issue expressed interest in development opportunities, particularly residential ones. Selling portions of the site to fund repairs at the main building and grounds was identified as another option in the presentation given to residents at the recent public consultation. Third-party managers also indicated an interest in running the site as a special events venue.
Coun. Joe Mihevc said that local residents are against selling the historic castle, or any parts of the site, and would like the city to remain in control of it.
“Casa Loma is a jewel in Toronto, but it is an unpolished jewel,” he said. “To use a financial term, it is an asset that is not really being used to its full potential.”
Mihevc points to the neglected parts of Casa Loma north of Austin Terrace, including the hunting lodge, potting shed and stables, as needing more attention.
The local councillor would like to see a high profile board set up, such as those at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Toronto Zoo, to govern Casa Loma.
“I would be very much opposed to us just farming the whole thing out to a private sector attraction company, like a Canada’s Wonderland or Marineland or Disney World,” Mihevc said.
