"it is incumbent upon the government to take a more active role." G. McNulty

Dear Mr. Moore:
 
I had intended to write this letter earlier, but I underwent heart surgery this past fall and was sidelined for 47 days in hospital.
 
I am really concerned about the abrupt eviction notice, and effective forced closure, given by the Downsview Park Crown corporation to the Canadian Air & Space Museum (CASM) in September. This drastic move, basically requiring the CASM to wind down its operations, and ending public access to the museum, should be reconsidered.
 
While it is true that the CASM is more than $100,000 in arrears of its rent to Downsview Park, the fact is that the museum had put a new board of directors and management in place and was well on its way to improving its financial situation. CASM officials believe Downsview Park was not negotiating in good faith since they had been under the impression that the museum was safe from eviction as long as they continued to show progress in paying the debt.
 
The eviction is all the more questionable given the fact that hundreds of acres of vacant land at spacious, 572-acre Downsview Park could be available as a more suitable site for the proposed four-pad ice rink than the historic CASM building.
 
As noted in extensive media coverage of this issue, the CASM has an outstanding collection, including numerous examples of aircraft formerly flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Navy, as well as many other artifacts and exhibits. I was pleased to see your government return the RCAF and RCN titles to their rightful place in our military history. As such, I am surprised that your government hasn't acted so far to reconsider an eviction which has caused quite a continuing outcry among military veterans, architectural and historical experts, and leading aviation observers in Canada and the United States.
 
I noted that government spokespersons, so far, in the House of Commons have said that Downsview Park operates at arm's-length from the government. Essentially, they appear to be washing their hands of this issue and treating it simply as a business decision. As noted by MP Mike Sullivan, an order in council had to be signed by the minister to authorize the leasing of the land. Considering that we are discussing the future of a museum of national importance, and the preservation of national heritage, it is incumbent upon the government to take a more active role in reviewing the highly controversial actions taken by Downsview Park.
 
The government's suggestion that the CASM collection could perhaps be reassigned to other national museums is questionable, given the large size of the CASM collection and the problems of spreading the collection far and wide. If the government cannot see its way clear to reversing the heavy-handed actions of Downsview Park, it should at the very least review the matter and arrange a meeting of all the key stakeholders to discuss the future of a viable CASM.
 
I am confident that all of the parties can find a way to showcase and preserve the CASM at its Downsview home, to the benefit of both the museum and the Crown corporation, as long as they negotiate in good faith.
 
Sincerely,
 
G. McNulty

"I would like to honour my father to do my part on his behalf" Doreen S.

My father, Stanley Campbell worked for A.V. Roe Canada Limited, Orenda Engines and Victory Aircraft Limited.
I have in my possession original letters to support his employment.
 
The news of late has been in support to try to keep the current museum open, well, now closed to the public. I usually do not get involved in issues like this but would like to honour my father to do my part on his behalf to keep the museum open.
 
I am wondering what I could do to support this endeavour. Doreen

"Good luck in your campaign to keep the place open!" P Morro, RCAF (retired)

I was stationed at R.C.A.F STN. Downsview from 1963 to 1968, being transferred to 4 wing in Jan 1969. and again as a recruiter at 4900 Yonge st 1980 to 1984.
 
Many memories, some good some not so much.....Last Lancaster to fly in to be stripped and mounted at the CNE grounds, Hangar with wrecked Caribou being stripped (scorpions etc) after crashing in Vietnam....Americans couldn't buy new ones, but had an unlimited budget for repairs.
 
I played with 400 Sqn pipes & drums for 4 years when I was a recruiter....
 
Strange, I live in St Catharines now, but didn't even know the museum existed until Goldhawk announced it's closing....I was a regular at the National museum when I was stationed in Ottawa....In uniform you got in free so many lunch hours were spent there.
 
Now, in retirement I carve aircraft, I think I,m nearing 90 in the collection now.
 
Good luck in your campaign to keep the place open!
 
P. Morro

"What will be our memorial sites for the 100th anniversary of WWII?" B Calwell, Commercial Pilot

Dear Mr. Alder,
 
The destruction of the 1929 de Havilland Canada building at Downsview, in Toronto, a federally designated heritage building, affects us socially and economically?
 
Socially: Proud to be Canadian
How do we identify ourselves as Canadians? How can we teach pride in our values and uniqueness to our new immigrants and our new generations? Through our museums and other education sites: Through our publically accessible events and experiences: Through visibly supporting sites which mark our values and accomplishments. The de Havilland building is an irreplaceable location where Canadians have demonstrated their dedication to our country in times of war and where Canadians have demonstrated their ability to lead the world in aviation and space technology. There are 18 historic sites in Ontario marking the War of 1812, (official web-site, http://www.visit1812.com) which occurred when we were still a colony. What will be our memorial sites for the 100th anniversary of WWII? We trained the Allies in Tiger Moths built in the de Havilland factory at Downsview. We sent over a thousand Mosquito bombers to war that were built in the de Havilland factory. If we tear down the de Havilland factory building, we will be reduced to plaques and textbooks.

 
Economically: Into the future!?
Aerospace industries Canada tells us that aviation employs more than 80,000 people in Canada. (http://www.aiac.ca/canadas-aerospace-industry/industry-statistics/) The Toronto region is a world leader in research and development, space technology and commercial aircraft production. We cannot afford to lose this powerhouse of growth. If we inspire our bright Canadian youth to make aviation their career, then our aviation industry will strengthen through their innovation and energy. Showcasing our past successes, teaching them the routes to a career, opening their minds to the vast potential of the air and space industries: this can most effectively and imaginatively be done through a public aviation centre in a real aviation environment, the original de Havilland building.
 
Visitors to aviation museums are among the most highly motivated tourists. The Avro Arrow, the Canadarm, ŇWings and WheelsÓ we have the history and events that will draw a world-class audience to Toronto.
 
Please direct the management of Parc Downsview Park to save the entire de Havilland building, a rich resource for a stronger future.
 
SIncerely,
Bonnie J. Calwell
Commercial Pilot
Member 99s International Organization of Women Pilots

Tearing the building down to accommodate hockey rinks... is unnecessary" Sandford Borins

Dear Messrs. Adler, Carmichael, and Rae:
 
I am writing Mr. Adler, in whose constituency the Air and Space Museum is located; Mr. Carmichael, who represents the constituency where I live; and Mr. Rae, whom I've known for many years.
 
Downsview Park has served an eviction notice on the Canadian Air and Space Museum. There are two important reasons for saving the Museum. First, it occupies a heritage building -- the 1929 de Havilland Aircraft factory -- and promotes an important aspect of Canada's military and technological heritage, something that is entirely consistent with the Harper Government's priorities. Second, it has become the focal point of a community of aviation enthusiasts that includes, among others, the volunteers who staff the Museum itself, the technically adept volunteers who are restoring a Lancaster bomber housed there, two Russian pilots who run two modern flight simulators at the Museum, and an 89-year old World War II Lancaster pilot who is at the Museum most weekends selling copies of his memoirs. The Museum also has a strong focus on childrenŐs activities, and is the site of many birthday parties at which the Russian pilots provide hands-on tutorials on the simulator as well as an introductory aviation course during March break and Air Cadets training.
 
Tearing the building down to accommodate hockey rinks -- Downsview Park's intention -- is unnecessary given how much land is available there.
 
I expand on these points in my latest blog posting at www.sandfordborins.com, which I encourage you to visit.
 
Thank you very much for your consideration.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
Sandford Borins
 
Professor of Strategic Management, University of Toronto

"Downsview parc literature has misinformed the public of its intentions" G. McIntyre

Dear Ms. Elizabeth May,
 
Love the Museum, building, artifacts and want it all preserved and protected from government abuses. Canada has a "World Class Aviation Historical" background and the location of the Downsview site is the "Birth of Aviation in Canada." World Aviation Historical Firsts have been created at this building and now housed at this original site. The University of Toronto started the first courses for Aeronautical Engineering in Canada I believe and is located within blocks of this historical site. Many students of UTIAS have volunteered at the Canadian Air & Space Museum over the years. To dismiss and shred the war memory and hours of volunteerism through hundreds of thousands of individuals directly affected by our aviation technology is a continuing disgrace to Canada's ever plummeting reputation in the world.
 
As a concerned citizen and long time volunteer with the Canadian Air & Space Museum I have noticed parc management has distinctly overtaken and bulldozed without consent or notification areas which were necessary in order to bring the large replica Avro Arrow out into the parking lot. This was done years ago. The Canadian Air & Space Museum is an invaluable resource for aviation enthusiasts. It has done much to encourage an interest in aviation through our school systems. With the advantage of the Canadian Forces airstrip and the cooperation of Bombardier, the present owner, volunteers at the Museum in 2009 introduced many school children between the ages of 8 to 15 ages to flights around the CN Tower and History within the Museum. This ongoing diminishing of the value of the Museum and the government mandate to shut out "Historical World Aviation Heritage" is an abomination to our friends and family in the Jewish Community who owe their freedom from tyranny through the World War 2 era and the efforts of our industries and our veterans.
 
As progressive conservative John Diefenbaker shut down "Avro Arrow" in the past and literally shredded any evidence of the advanced technical and aerodynamic achievements of Canadian Aviation History our present government seems destined to bulldoze and bury any of our World Class Aeronautical History and World Aviation Historical Firsts.
 
At a casual glimpse this government has been stripping money from Federal Crown Corporations to donate to private companies and dismantle all heritage sites, especially, those associated with Aviation History, such as the Winnipeg 1964 terminal at the Airport which was also deemed to be a heritage building. Spending government funds on feasibility studies and assessments to disqualify heritage sites instead of saving heritage collections without even reviewing the results of these studies.
 
What of the Royal Canadian Air Force history, Canadian Heritage, Parks Canada Agency and Veteran's Affairs, all government ministries which are doing nothing to protect Canadian History and resources. It might appear they have been defunded and silenced or are complicit with the re writing of Canadian History as mandated by this government.
 
I want an "independent assessment" of the buildings under order of demolition due to cost of repairs. Enough money has been spent on dismantling this site this year alone to warrant a "restraining order" from further demolition and obstruction of justice, I would hope. As far as I know Bombardier is still building in some of the original hangars on site. Canada's prime minister would appear to be a biased partner in the "hockey rink" fiasco while he blatantly spends government funded department of defense jets to fly to hockey games with his friends and family. Couldn't this be considered a "Special Interest Group" under his identification of areas to be defunded due to, not being of interest to himself and the large, heavily funded hockey industry?
 
Our Auditor General of Canada, Sheila Fraser, expressed concerns about how Parc Downsview was being financed and the irregularities without due paperwork and appropriate accounting procedures. This has been an ongoing feature of this government recently in many different areas. Outstanding examples of public waste of taxpayers funds for private purposes include Tony Clement's Muskoka G8 summit spending spree of $45.7 million in federal funding, Stephen Harper's flying to his hockey games, Defence Minister Mckay using government helicopters to pick him up at his cottage. Likely more then enough money to rebuild all the Museums Heritage Buildings without coming close to the expense of funding these government officials personal private affairs.
 
The letter received from Downsview Parc management would seem illegal to me as I would expect an eviction notice to be served from the court system, which gives a clear future date to vacate, allowing a day in court and negotiations before a landlord can change locks, damage reputation, jeopardize millions of dollars worth of donated, irreplaceable artifacts, and prevent your business from opening and creating funds to reimburse landlord. Isn't that tenant/landlord law?
 
The amount of money owed by the Canadian Air & Space Museum is a pittance considering how defunded the Museum position is receiving little support from these governments. I do appreciate the government public financing "casino money" "charitable" one time grant proposal funding of "Trillium Foundation" towards an artifact restoration, I believe. Also the fact that David Sadowski, president & ceo of parc downsview refused to accept substantial payments to reduce this deficit by half and prevented further income to pay off this debt, shows complete contempt.
 
It would appear that David Sadowski, has been recipient of government funds as president of this corporation since at least October 6, 2000 when Art Eggleton, Minister of National Defence awarded a $36million contract to Bird Construction and funding of Downsview Parc provided for in the 2000 federal budget. At this time the federal government retains 274 hectares of land at the former CFB Downsview, 14 hectares of which are held by DND. "Parc Downsview Park Inc. will develop and revitalize 209 hectares on behalf of the federal government. The land is to be revitalized for the development of an urban national park." This information is from National Defence and the Canadian Forces: Latest 5 News Room Items: DND awards contract for consolidated facility at Downsview: NR-00.118 October 6, 2000. How does the Canadian Air & Space Museum not qualify under this mandate of an urban national park?
 
It would appear that the Department of Defence has acted in collusion with this corporation and has left the public out of the loop as to acceptable accounting procedures to the financing of this "self-financing" corporation. Downsview parc literature has misinformed the public of its intentions and public funds have financed this "Downsview Park" private corporation. I wish to have more transparency as to where funds are going and how our Crown Corporation has been willfully taken over and given to a private corporation at taxpayers expense. All this to be excluded from public pleasure and to be used as a private funding source for one corporations sports complex to extract millions of dollars from the paying public on events that send many people to the emergency rooms of our "charitable"? hospitals.
 
This information is taken from the "Downsview Parc" website under sustainable development:
 
"Downsview Park is designed to support , environmental, social and economic sustainability. The vision for the 231.5-hectare (572-acre) Downsview Park is the creation of a recreational space incorporating both expansive open space areas, as well as the repurposing of an inventory of historic aviation related buildings to create a year-round setting. More than $20 million has been spent to date on Park construction, improvements to infrastructure and renovations of older buildings."
 
This last statement says it all, they have planned to dismantle, crush and bury the Museum from the beginning. On this same page they promote their Sports Complex.
 
Regards
 
G McIntyre

"Museums are our only venue to reach out to our current population..." D Logan

As the son of an WWII RCAF veteran, I find it hard to believe that in this country we cannot come to together to help save an important part of our heritage. So many lost their lives and suffered through ordeals that we of this generation cannot fully understand. And the Museum is a way to express these men's lives to the newer generations. Canada has no large movie studios which can portray the extraordinary deeds and sacrifices these men and women did on the part of freedom. Museums are our only venue to reach out to our current population.
 
Being the editor of a website which is trying to bring together the memories of members of an RACF unit; I have found that so much of the lives and deeds of these service people which can never be regained has been lost. Only two or three lines in an obscure book. We need to be able to keep these stories alive.
 
And for the city the size of Toronto not to have a museum with these important aircraft and artifacts seems so incomprehensible. The work that has gone on at the Canadian Air and Space and the people who are spending their love and energies on rebuilding and bring together displays which the newer generations can see and learn from should not and cannot be lost.
 
Please do all that you can do to preserve this Museum.
 
D Logan
Ayton ON

"LETS NOT FORGET! we remember the veterans letŐs remember our aviation history too." R Boyle

Dear Sir: My father was in WW2. He is pass on but he would be very upset over the bull over the Canadian Air and Space Museum. He was proud to serve overseas and proud to say he was from Canada. We as Canadians need to stand up and let the world know we are proud of who and what we are. I know the Americans are proud about their history as they are always rubbing in our faces all the time. We need to take a stand and save what little history we have and brag about it to the world. The Canadian aviation took a kick in the ass back in the 60Ős part due to the Americans. Now we are kicking ourselves in the ass and sending a message to the world that we are not proud of our pass. Come on Canada is the best county to live in and we need to save our history for future generations to see and know what happen. LETS NOT FORGET we remember the veterans letŐs remember our aviation history to.
 
R Boyle Oshawa Ontario Canada
I will always Remember

I can't understand why so little emphasis is placed on education and the history of our country. R. E. Boyle

I was very disappointed to find out what had happened. It seems the government continues to live up to their reputation for back door shenanigans. I had a small part in the building of the Avro Arrow replica and planned on returning as a volunteer once my schedule allowed. I can't understand why so little emphasis is placed on education and the history of our country. If I had my way the museum would not have to pay any rent at all. It should be considered a heritage site and treated as such. Keep me posted, I would like to hear how it all turns out.
 
Sincerely, R. S. Mosiuk.

"Our history in aviation is small and we need to do more to save it."" R. E. Boyle

Dear Sir;

Oh Canada. I am proud to be a Canadian. Little while ago the government of Canada kick the ass out of our aviation with the Arrow closure. Everything that the Americans do they brag about it.

Canada always take a backseat to them. I donŐt dislike the Americans I donŐt like the fact that we donŐt seem to care. Our history needs to be preserves and shown to the world and let them know that we are Proud to be Canadians. Our history in aviation is small and we need to do more to save it. Hockey rinks will always be built and needed but not plane museums or other types of museums because go Leafs go is part of our history to. Diehard fan. I am also a diehard fan of aviation and the pass . Let the Arrow Live.

Ronald E. Boyle Oshawa Ontario Canada

"This building is as equally deserving of preservation as the artifacts it houses..." D. Damianoff

Dear Mr Adler MP
 
Re Canadian Air & Space Museum, the building and the contents thereof.
 
Many thanks for your support via discussions to seek a solution, with the Minister of Heritage & all parties, in trying to preserve Canadian aerospace artifacts & our unique Canadian aerospace history.
 
*RE 65 Carl Hall Rd -- this historic building which houses these great Canadian aerospace artifacts, is an historic artifact in its own right.
 
*This building is as equally deserving of preservation as the artifacts it houses, a 'Recognized Federal Heritage Building' -- I am very concerned that this heritage building is being neglected / destroyed, by the very same federal government body that bestowed / deemed this building to be of national significance / historical treasure for all Canadians to enjoy.
 
Please tell me that this is not the case?
 
Sincerely
 
D Damianoff

"Does no one in the current Government understand the cultural significance of this historic building?"

Dear Mr. James Moore,
 
It is with utter disbelief that I read about the Federal Government's plan to demolish the current site of the Canadian Air & Space Museum/Toronto Aerospace Museum, located at 65 Carl Hall Road in Downsview. Does no one in the current Government understand the cultural significance of this historic building and all it represents regarding the history and development of the Aerospace industry in this country??? Surely the Government can find space to build hockey rinks on one of the hundreds of acres remaining in Downsview Park instead of the 100,000 square feet on which a heritage building sits??? As Minister of Canadian HERITAGE, what are you doing to prevent this from happening???
 
D. Berg, Acton

"Build a rink somewhere else. Sorry... the land and building housing the CanadianAir & SpaceMuseum is taken." 

Subject: re: The CanadianAir & SpaceMuseum. Are you people insane !?

You are doing what with the CanadianAir & SpaceMuseum ? What ?

We find the money to carry two official languages, send millions of dollars in aid to foreign countries knowing it will never be repaid, purchase and operate expensive private jets for our politicians, pour millions of dollars into some ridiculous political summit in downtown Toronto and then move everything to cottage country just to show off, and we can't find room to save these extremely important relics of our past ? A past that Canada should be so proud of. It is our heritage, you cannot demolish our heritage !

I see this as a simple, insensitive money grab. Trade priceless, but not profitable, Canadian History for a play thing so some kids can skate in circles, some guys can play hockey and go for beers, some already wealthy businessman can add another digit to his annual income ? Ya, that's it isn't it.

What the hell ? Enough already !

To allow this travesty is criminal and amounts to typical political pandering to private capitalistic motives that transcend the right to heritage and all sense and reason.

...and don't tell me it's because more people want a rink than want the Museum. That's bullshit. More people want english than french. More people want Aboriginal land to be public than want the aboriginals to have it, but it is HERITAGE. You may not take that away. Period.

If French Canadians can keep their heritage, if Aboriginal Canadians can keep their heritage... then you must allow us to keep ours ! Period, end of story, I don't care if it is not profitable yet, or costs the government some bailout money now and then. It will be a pittance compared to all of the squandering that goes on daily.

Build a rink somewhere else. Sorry... the land and building housing the CanadianAir & SpaceMuseum is taken.

What kind of people would allow this happen ?

Certainly not real Canadians.

John Porter
Kingston Ontario

"This building is a vital, unique part of Canada's aviation legacy." Dave Gillespier

From: Dave Gillespie <dave@marketingden.com>
To: rona.ambrose@parl.gc.ca; Mark.Adler@parl.gc.ca; james.moore@parl.gc.ca; steven.blaney@parl.gc.ca; Councillor_Augimeri@toronto.ca; mkwinter.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org; casm@casmuseum.org; "Yelich.L@parl.gc.ca" <Yelich.L@parl.gc.ca>
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 9:32:00 PM
Subject: Canada Air & Space Museum
I am writing to you all in regards to the recent news that Downsview Park ,the landlords of the Canada Air & Space Museum ,has made it known that they plan to evict the museum and replace the museum building with a hockey rink.  You must not let this happen. The building the museum is housed in is a national treasure. It was the main reason I have loaned, and am in the process of donating my DeHavilland Chipmunk ,( a preproduction prototype and oldest airworthy DHC1 flying) to the museum. The fact that this historically significant aircraft can be protected and displayed to the public in the exact spot it was designed and constructed was a major factor in our decision to donate the aircraft. The building at 65 Carl Hall road is as important to Canadian culture as the artifacts that are housed there.
Of the five core values listed in Downsview parks annual report , Legacy is the one that is capitalized. This building is a vital ,unique part of Canada's aviation legacy. They must not be allowed to destroy or replace this building. It is a Canadian cultural property and must be protected for all Canadians . You are in the responsible position to protect the building and the future of the museum.
Please take notice of this issue and respond. Time is of the essence.
Sincerely Yours,
Dave Gillespie
Chipmunk G-AKDN
Help Save Canada's Aviation & Space Heritage! (YouTube Video)

--
Dave Gillespie
Advisory Partner

"an irreplaceable part of this country's history is in jeopardy..." Jack Granatstein

From: Jack Granatstein <jgranatstein@rogers.com>
To: rona.ambrose@parl.gc.ca; james.moore@parl.gc.ca; steven.blaney@parl.gc.ca; casm@casmuseum.org
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 5:24:02 PM
Subject: Canadian Air and Space Museum

Dear Minister, I write to you as the minister responsible for Parc Downsview in Toronto, the home of the Canadian Air and Space Museum. As you will know, the Parc Downsview management served CASM with an eviction notice a few days ago. As a result, an irreplaceable part of this country's history is in jeopardy.
  First, there is the collection of artifacts, now in danger of being scattered if the Museum is shuttered. Second, there is the location itself, the original DeHavilland plant that, if the Parc management carries out its plan, is to be converted into an ice rink. At best, the facade might be preserved. At best. The interior will be gutted and lost.
  The Museum needs a reprieve from this move, time to get its finances in order. The Parc Downsview management needs to be made to act in a slightly more civilized fashion. I do hope that you and your colleagues can broker an arrangement that lets history and heritage be served.
                J.L. Granatstein

-- J.L. Granatstein, PhD, OC
52 St Andrews Gdns
Toronto M4W 2E1

"There's no other words to describe it other than a disgrace." Doug Warwick

Ian A. McDougall
Chairman
Canadian Air & Space Museum  
Dear Mr. Ian McDougall,
I heard about the apparent dismantling of the Canadian Air and Space Museum. There's no other words to describe it other than a disgrace. I've been to the Museum and it's the beginning of a gem.  It just needs support - the type they get in Ottawa and around the world, but not in Toronto for some reason. I support the Museum at Downsview which houses the world famous Avro Arrow.

Regards,
Doug Warwick
The Flying Avro Arrow Musical

524 Ridelle Ave.
Toronto, Ont.
M6B 1K8

"There could hardly be a more important building in Canada that tells Canada's proud aerospace heritage." Robert Godwin

Attention: The Rt Honourable James Moore 

Dear Sir,

I am writing as a concerned volunteer and citizen. I was wondering if you were aware of the recent eviction of the tenants in 65 Carl Hall Road in Downsview Ontario? The building is slated to be demolished and replaced with a hockey arena. It is Crown property and was the birthplace of the Canadian Space Program. The building currently houses the Canadian Air and Space Museum. The landlord, Parc Downsview Park, has given the museum six months to effectively wind down its affairs. I would respectfully urge you to step in on behalf of the Federal Government to save this landmark building and the museum it houses. Minister Peter MacKay recently made great fanfare about preserving and respecting Canada's military heritage. This building is the single most important aerospace building in the country. It was the home of the De Havilland Company of Canada. The iconic De Havilland Beaver, which is on our coins, was created there. The Mosquito fighter was built there. The Tiger Moth was built there. Canada's first satellite was built there. The Spar Aerospace company which built the Canadarm was formed there. There could hardly be a more important building in Canada that tells Canada's proud aerospace heritage.

Under the current terms delivered to the museum by the Crown corporation last night, we have to wind down our affairs and move before March 31st. This will result in the scattering of the collection and the demise of the museum organisation, which has taken 15 years to create without a cent of tax money.

Yesterday the Toronto City Council voted unanimously to preserve the museum in Downsview but they have no direct control over Federal property.  I have reminded the park management that they are merely the custodians of the country's heritage and should consider what they are leaving for future generations. We have literally thousands of hockey rinks in Ontario and only five aerospace museums. We have only ONE 65 Carl Hall Road. I urge you to speak with the other Federal ministers and do your utmost to stop this building from being destroyed. There are over 500 acres on the same park land which can be used for the proposed hockey arenas. The argument being used by the park's management is that they need the outside investment capital to "save" the building which they claim is in disrepair. However, their solution reminds one of the United States' tactics during the Viet Nam war of "saving" the village by bombing it off the map.

Your attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely

Robert Godwin

--
Robert D. Godwin
Editor/CEO - CG Publishing Inc/Apogee Space Books

"...leaving in place tenants whose operations resonate with the historical use of the site..." Kieran A. Carroll

Subject:

An alternative to evicting the Canadian Air and Space Museum

Date:

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:59:38 -0400

From:

KIERAN A CARROLL <k.a.carroll@sympatico.ca>

To:

<soknacki@soknacki.com>

CC:

<fletcher.s@parl.gc.ca>, <denis.lebel@parl.gc.ca>

Mr. Soknacki;

Thank-you for your reply.

In understand your desire to bring in greater revenue for the park,
which is how I interpret your comment that "the City of Toronto and an
operator are willing to ... bring hundreds of thousands of participants
to the park." I don't doubt that the Park's revenue from that would
be larger than from the existing tenants.

If the city and the operator are willing to front $20M for a new
hockey venue, why not simply make room for them elsewhere in
Downsview Park's site? And leave the current tenants in place.
Some of the revenue from the hockey rinks could then go towards
making the capital investment needed to retrofit the 65 Carl Hall Road
building ---which could perhaps be done at a cost considerably less
than the $20M needed to effectively tear the building down and
replace it with a new one. This would have the advantage of
actually preserving a historically very significant building (as
opposed to just preserving its facade). And, of leaving in place
tenants whose operations resonate with the historical use of
the site --- the Air and Space Museum being one, and the
aerospace engineering firm being another.

Has such an alternative been discussed with the current tenants,
and the hockey-rink guys?

- Kieran A. Carroll
> From: soknacki@soknacki.com
> To: k.a.carroll@sympatico.ca
> Subject: Evicting the Canadian Air and Space Museum
> Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:53:57 -0400
>
> To Kieran A Carroll
> Fm David Soknacki - Downsview Park
>
> 1. Thank you for writing; let me address your comments and questions about
> 65 Carl Hall Road, the site of the museum and other tenants.
>
> 2. We acted in order to preserve our heritage, and have given all of our
> tenants of 65 Carl Hall the opportunity to discuss what future they wish to
> have at the Park. The huge building which houses the museum and other
> tenants is in very serious need of repair: it is an energy sieve, windows
> are falling out, it is not to code, and sections are no longer usable. To
> preserve this part of our aviation heritage will take about $20m.
>
> 3. Since neither the Park, nor any of the tenants have any realistic
> prospect of raising the funds to preserve and retrofit 65 Carl Hall, we
> turned outside.
>
> 4. While we appreciate your comments "that there are plenty of hockey rinks
> available," both the City of Toronto and an operator are willing to not only
> bring hundreds of thousands of participants to the park, but also to restore
> the heritage building.
>
> 5. In the meantime we invited all tenants, including the museum, to make a
> proposal to continue at Downsview Park. In addition, for the museum, we have
> offered to help pay for their move, to store their artifacts at Park
> expense.
>
> D
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: KIERAN A CARROLL [mailto:k.a.carroll@sympatico.ca]
> Sent: 21-Sep-11 13:15
> To: info@downsviewpark.ca
> Cc: David Soknacki; fletcher.s@parl.gc.ca; denis.lebel@parl.gc.ca
> Subject: Evicting the Canadian Air and Space Museum
>
>
> At http://www.downsviewpark.ca/eng/apm2011.shtml, we are told that questions
> to be raised at the Downsview Park annual meeting may be emailed to this
> address.
>
> I just heard the news that Downsview Park has issued eviction notices to the
> Canadian Air and Space Museum,
> as well as to other tenants, in order to make room for building a few hockey
> rinks.
>
> What a fundamentally bad idea! There are plenty of hockey rinks available
> everywhere in Canada, but very
> very few facilities preserving Canada's aerospace history.
> And the CASM is even more significant and valuable,
> due to its unique location, in the very building that so many
> historically significant Canadian aircraft and spacecraft were
> developed.
>
> I am very familiar with the museum, and have visited it
> (and taken other people to it) on many occasions. If
> replaced with yet more hockey rinks, I don't
> see any reason for me ever to visit Downsview Park again
> in the future.
>
> My questions for the meeting are:
>
> - What is so important about adding slightly to Toronto's stock
> of hockey rinks that is so very important, that it justifies closing
> down this unique and valuable museum, and evicting the other
> tenants of the building?
>
> - If the hockey rinks are so important, why doesn't
> Downsview Park simply put up a new building housing hockey rinks,
> in the copious amount of empty space on the site, rather than
> evicting these tenants and converting the historically significant
> DeHavilland Canada building?
>
> - Kieran A. Carroll
>
>
>