News Release

Major Restoration Work Underway at Public Gardens

(Monday, May 31, 2004) - With a month remaining before the Public Gardens reopens to the public, crews and contractors are hard at work on several major restoration projects. The extensive scope of the work will see workers and heavy equipment in several parts of the Gardens.

"The projects now underway are the last major efforts to be undertaken in advance of the re-opening. Our goal is to ensure all the hurricane damage is repaired and that we have taken a major step forward in restoring several historical aspects of the Gardens," Mayor Peter Kelly said today.

Beginning this week, heavy equipment will be used in efforts to begin cleaning up the water in Griffin's Pond and the other waterways in the Gardens. In addition, work will be done to protect and restore the pond's surrounding banks.

Other projects include upgrading plumbing and piping connections at several points, improving drainage, repairing walkways throughout the Gardens and rebuilding support bases for the soon to be restored main gates.

"Staff advises that due to the extensive nature of the work, the Public Gardens will have to remain closed during this phase in the interests of public safety. We simply can't take the risk of the public entering a major work site," Mayor Kelly said.

The extensive scope of work is being supported by the Halifax Gardens Foundation, which was established to manage money raised in support of the Gardens. More than $1 million in pledges was raised when the Maritime Broadcasting System hosted a radio-thon in October, 2003.

Robert Pace, President of the Foundation and the President of Maritime Broadcasting, said. "The ongoing support from both the business community and individuals is very generous. People throughout HRM and across Canada have shown through their generosity how much they treasure this national historic site."

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Mayor Peter Kelly
(902) 490-4010

Robert Pace
President, Public Gardens Foundation
(902) 422-1651, ext. 211