CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
February 2, 2005 | |
Author: |
Anita Ho | |
Phone No.: |
604-257-8446 | |
RTS No.: |
04816 | |
CC File No.: |
4155 | |
Meeting Date: |
February 15, 2005 |
Vancouver City Council |
CITY OF VANCOUVER
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date:
February 2, 2005
Author:
Anita Ho
Phone No.:
604-257-8446
RTS No.:
04816
CC File No.:
4155
Meeting Date:
February 15, 2005
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT Council approve the submission of an application to the Province for a one-time, unrestricted grant of $8.2 million to fund the development of the Discovery Education Centre at the Vancouver Aquarium.
B. THAT Council, subject to approval of the unrestricted grant from the Province, approve a grant of the same amount to the Vancouver Aquarium for development of the Discovery Education Centre at the Vancouver Aquarium, and THAT Council delegate responsibility to the Park Board to manage disbursement of the grant by entering into a partnership agreement with the Vancouver Aquarium to oversee the development of the Discovery Education Centre at the Vancouver Aquarium; the agreement to be drafted to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Parks and Recreation and the Director of Legal Services.
Recommendation B provides a grant to the Vancouver Aquarium Society and requires eight affirmative votes of Council.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The Vancouver Aquarium is a leading example of a self-supporting non-profit organization with over 1 million visitors each year. The Discovery Education Centre will deliver a world leading education resource to BC, enhance tourism and benefit the environment. The infrastructure of the Aquarium is almost 50 years old and the initial construction of the facilities was funded and supported by 3 levels of government. The application of this unrestricted grant will not affect other City grant applications. City Manager RECOMMENDS A and B.
COUNCIL POLICY
Policy Number CP-005-01 Senior Governments - Letters from Council.
All letters to ministries arising from Council actions are to be signed by the Mayor.
SUMMARY
The development of the Discovery Education Centre at the Vancouver Aquarium will expand the Aquarium's capacity for delivery of education programming and renew its aging infrastructure. Green building technology will be employed to provide a showcase for sustainability and will establish the Aquarium as a conservation landmark. While the Aquarium is successful in raising funds for exhibits and is a leading example of a self-supporting non-profit institution, in order to proceed with the development of the Discovery Education Centre, it requires substantial support from the Provincial Government. To this end, the Aquarium has been in discussion with the Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development.
In working with the Ministry, it has been identified that this project could be funded by an unrestricted grant. Because of the flexibility of the unrestricted grant, it is the Ministry's preference to provide the grants to municipalities. Application for this unrestricted grant would bear no impact to other City grant applications. Staff recommend that the City apply for a one-time unrestricted grant for $8.2 million in funding for the development of the Discovery Education Centre at the Vancouver Aquarium.
Staff also recommend that Council designate the Park Board to oversee the development of the Discovery Education Centre at the Vancouver Aquarium and to manage disbursement of the grant. Upon Council's approval of the grant, a formal partnership agreement will be developed between the Park Board (as designated representative of the City) and the Vancouver Aquarium to administer the project and the grant. This agreement will outline the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of both parties, the project budget, milestones, and the requirement and process for reimbursement of expenditures and access to the grant.
BACKGROUND
Development of the Aquarium's education facility was part of the fifteen year licence agreement between the Park Board and the Aquarium, which became effective January 1, 1999. This was approved subsequent to a significant public process on the future of the Aquarium in Stanley Park.
While detailed designs had not been developed at the time of agreement signing, the proposals to rebuild the laboratory area, the research tanks and the education facility were included as appendices to the 1999 agreement as footprint areas and approved in principle. Subsequently, the detailed designs for the three redevelopments were approved by the Board on March 14, 2002 and October 4, 2004 for submission to the City for development permits.
This third development permit (for the education facility) is now in hand. The research pool is completed and the laboratories are currently under construction.
DISCUSSION
The Aquarium has worked closely with Park Board staff, who have reviewed the concept for the development of the Discovery Education Centre. The design was presented at a public open house on September 22, 2004 at Coal Harbour Community Centre. Twenty-five members of the public attended the open house and eighteen people filled out comment sheets, all of who were in favour of the project.
The development will deliver crucial mechanical and physical infrastructure required for the Aquarium's overall revitalization. In addition to a basement, facilities will be developed for staff administration, volunteer support and school groups in order to expand the Aquarium's capacity for delivery of education programming. Green building technology will be employed to provide a showcase for sustainability, establishing the Aquarium as a conservation landmark. A multimedia presentation hall and children's aquarium will enrich the Aquarium visitor experience and provide a more compelling tourism draw. Outreach program delivery capacity will grow, benefiting BC and Canadian communities through environmental stewardship activities such as the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.
The Vancouver Aquarium is a leading example of a self-supporting non-profit institution. It receives no operating funds from any level of government. Its facility is reaching 50 and needs substantial revitalization. The Discovery Education Centre will deliver a world leading educational resource to BC, enhance the Aquarium's position as one of Canada's most popular tourist attractions and contribute the resources and capabilities to continue promoting conservation practices in order to benefit the environment.
The total project cost is $16 million. In order to proceed with the development of the Discovery Education Centre, the Aquarium requires $8.2 million support from the Provincial Government. The balance of the project costs have been raised by the Vancouver Aquarium. The Aquarium has been and will continue to be effective at raising money from the community for exhibits and programs. However, many of the things that must be repaired or re-built are basic infrastructure - generally invisible to the public and less stimulating to personal fundraising. As with the initial construction of the Aquarium, which was supported by all three levels of Government in 1956, assistance is required to renew the facility.
The Vancouver Aquarium has submitted an application for a grant from the Provincial government and was advised that a potential one-time unrestricted grant is available to municipalities. To ensure appropriate use of the unrestricted grant, the Ministry is recommending a partnership arrangement to administer the project. The project will be overseen by the Park Board and managed in such a way that budget, goals, milestones and processes are clearly articulated and monitored. A written agreement will outline the specific responsibilities of all parties involved.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
As currently designed, the project is expected to cost $16 million to construct. The Vancouver Aquarium is providing over $7.8 million and is requesting that the City apply to the Province for the remaining required funding of $8.2 million.
Apart from the cost of administering the agreement between the Park Board and the Vancouver Aquarium, there will be no cost to the City or the Board. No City or Park Board funds will be required to complete the project.
CONCLUSION
The development of the Discovery Education Centre at the Vancouver Aquarium will expand the Aquarium's capacity for delivery of education programming and renew its aging infrastructure. Green building technology will be employed to provide a showcase for sustainability, establishing the Aquarium as a conservation landmark. While the Aquarium is successful in raising funds for exhibits and is a leading example of a self-supporting non-profit institution, in order to proceed with the development of the Discovery Education Centre, it requires substantial support from the Provincial Government. Council is requested to apply for a one-time unrestricted grant for $8.2 million on behalf of the Vancouver Aquarium and to delegate to the Park Board the responsibility to oversee this construction project.
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