Royal Botanical Gardens gets $430,000 from province to improve COVID safety
Published March 3, 2021 at 12:25 pm
The Ontario government recently announced that it is providing a one-time investment of up to $27 million to help support six major tourism and cultural institutions in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) including Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) in Burlington.
This investment will support the continued operation if these institutions as well as their maintenance and capital needs. Additionally, the funding will protect jobs and ensure their financial stability amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Details were provided Wednesday (March 3) by Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
“Like so many of the province’s heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries, provincial attractions have been among the first and hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic – and will take the longest to recover,” said MacLeod.
“That’s why I am proud that our government is providing significant support so these cultural institutions can continue to meet their financial obligations, protect jobs and make the repairs and renovations needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Once it is safe to do so, these agencies and attractions will be ready to welcome the return of guests from around the globe, and highlight why Ontario offers the world in one province.”
Financial support will be provided by the Ontario government to the following ministry agencies and attractions.
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The Metro Toronto Convention Centre will receive up to $9.6 million in stabilization funding for operating costs.
The Royal Ontario Museum will receive up to $9.5 million in stabilization funding to support museum operations and $300,000 for capital repairs.
The Ontario Science Centre will receive up to $4.35 million in stabilization funding to support the ongoing operation of their facilities and $890,000 for capital repairs.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection will receive up to $1.2 million in stabilization funding for operating costs and $50,000 for capital repairs to support the maintenance of the gallery and grounds.
The Art Gallery of Ontario will receive $705,000 to support critical infrastructure upgrades to the building’s cooling, heating and ventilation systems and the installation of touchless washroom devices.
The Royal Botanical Gardens will receive $430,000 for infrastructure projects to increase the safety of visitors and staff by reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Currently, many ministry agencies and attractions in the Toronto area remain closed due to COVID-19 restrictions but several offer free virtual tours as well as interactive learning opportunities for all ages.
Photo credits: Royal Botanical Gardens Instagram page
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