It's not a full pot of gold, but a $2.1-million funding announcement from the federal government will get plans to restore the Senator O'Connor Estate in Don Mills on the fast track, according to local councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong.
"It means two things," said Minnan-Wong on Friday, March 12. "It means we'll be able to initiate and undertake the needed repairs to save the house. And the other thing is it will serve as a catalyst for fundraising. When you have a large chunk of money from the government of Canada, that allows you to go to other funding sources and fundraising."Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced the funds at the Ireland Fund lunch, the week before St. Patrick's Day. The timing is auspicious; Senator Frank O'Connor was an early leader in Toronto's Irish community, a noted philanthropist and a noted politician, and the founder of the Laura Secord chocolate company.His house, adjacent to Senator O'Connor College School on Avonwick Gate, was initially donated to the Christian Brothers, then sold to the Toronto District Catholic School Board.Last year, Toronto's Preservation Board refused a request by the school board to demolish the aging building, which has fallen into disrepair. A community group, the O'Connor Irish Heritage League, has been trying to raise the cash necessary to repair and renovate the site - an estimated $4 million.The $2.1 million will allow basic repairs to make sure the house stays stable. The remainder would complete renovations and allow the house to be transformed into an interpretive centre/museum. The renovations being done to the main floor of the Coach House will allow the construction of two new houses that will accommodate up to 60 students."Today, the federal government has saved O'Connor House from demolition and is giving the schools and the community the opportunity to use the estate buildings for many generations to come," said Dennis Timbrell, chair of O'Connor Irish Heritage House Inc.The funding must still be approved through the Federal Treasury Board.