News Release
Cupola to be Raised Atop Public Gardens Building
(Friday, September 22/06)-- The cupola will once again be raised atop Horticultural Hall in the Public Gardens.
Municipal, Provincial and Federal representatives will participate tomorrow at 9 a.m. in craning the domed structure onto the top of the building known to many as the “canteen”. It is one of the final steps in the restoration of the Garden’s most historic building.
While most people associate the red-roofed band stand with the Public Gardens, Horticultural Hall is a part of the original Nova Scotia Horticultural Society garden built in 1837. The structure was built to host Society meetings and public lectures on the “noble pursuits of horticulture,” which at the time was as important a subject as politics. The Society turned its garden over to the city in 1867 who then expanded it into the 16-acre Public Gardens that exist today.
The restoration of Horticultural Hall is the second phase of restoration undertaken by the Public Gardens Foundation and HRM after the Gardens were devastated by Hurricane Juan in 2003. In addition to Horticultural Hall, new washrooms and a new entry plaza are under construction, as well as a new and less conspicuous maintenance facility.
Mayor Peter Kelly said “It's been 60 years since the Cupola had to be taken down from Horticultural Hall due to building instability, so we're very pleased to see it rebuilt and returned to the top of a restored building. HRM is a progressive community, but we respect our past. This project is indicative of that attitude and I would like to thank our partners who are helping to make this happen.”
“All of these improvements are aimed at making the visitors’ experience more enjoyable, convenient and informative” said Robert Pace, Chair of the Public Gardens Foundation. “A great deal of care was taken to carry out this project sensitively and in consultation with Parks Canada who are experts in this type of work. It was originally a fancy barn and we have respected that, but we have added a few conveniences which will make it more operational for modern public needs.”
When the improvements officially open next spring, tour buses will be able to drop tourists, groups and school children at the new public entrance on Spring Garden Road (where the first entrance to the Public Gardens was located). Visitors will then enter a small plaza flanked by men’s, women’s and family washrooms before entering Horticultural Hall, where they will be able to gather interpretive material and learn more about its history and horticultural collection before venturing out into the Public Gardens. Food services will also be housed within Horticultural Hall and visitors will be able to buy a simple lunch or ice cream to enjoy in the Gardens or on the deck overlooking the park.
The project is funded by HRM, ACOA, Province of Nova Scotia and private donations through the Public Gardens Foundation. Project costs are just under $1 million for this phase of restoration. Phase One restoration following Hurricane Juan totalled $1.3 million, much of that raised through public donations.
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Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010
Robert Pace
Chair, Public Gardens Foundation
425-1225
