The beloved Gardener’s Cottage in Kew Gardens Park has received a reprieve from Toronto Fire Services, allowing public events to be held there until the end of the year.
The local landmark was shuttered late last year as the circa 1902, heritage-designated building failed to comply with the Ontario Fire Code, which requires all buildings that hold public assemblies have two exits on each floor.
The two-storey building, also known as Kew Williams House, does not have two exits on the top level and renovations required to bring the Queen Anne Revival-style building up to code are estimated to be upwards of $180,000.
Further, the City of Toronto is also aiming to make all of its public buildings wheelchair-accessible by 2025. The two-storey Gardener’s Cottage also lacks an accessible main floor washroom.
Beaches-East York Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon recently penned a letter and met with staff from the City’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department to come up with a plan that would allow for the temporary re-opening of the Gardener’s Cottage for events.
“This is only interim until we get a plan worked out. It’s an allowance,” she said.
“We need a bigger conversation for a longer-term solution.”
The agreement they came up with is to contain all events to the building’s main floor.
Parks, Forestry and Recreation, which owns and manages The Gardener’s Cottage, will be providing a portable washroom.
A trained fire marshall, complete with a whistle and flashlight, will also be on hand at all events.
“The first floor has two exits so it was never a concern,” said Rocco Delle Save, Toronto Fire Services’ Dist. Chief of Fire Prevention East Command.
“It’s a temporary solution until there’s a second exit on the second floor. Every floor has to have two exits.”
Delle Save said a few events were held at the Gardener’s Cottage where people were allowed to go upstairs to use the washroom but in the end having a portable toilet outside was the better option for all involved.
“Toronto Fire feels better about the portable toilet idea,” Delle Save said, adding they understand that financially it’s tough to come up with a plan to bring the building up to the Ontario Fire Code.
Stuart Slessor, Parks, Forestry and Recreation’s supervisor of Eastern Beaches, Toronto Waterfront, agreed.
“It is a difficult call because it’s a very important historical facility and a lot of people depend on it for their art shows and so forth,” he said.
“It’s still only a reprieve and we have to come up with some sort of plan,” he said, adding the City’s Parks department must also consider the accessibility.
“It leaves the future of the Kew Cottage in a bit of limbo,” said Slessor, pointing to one possible option of expanding the building and using the cottage portion as more of a museum showpiece space.
“With approvals and financing, environmental assessments and public consultations it would be a lengthy, multi-year process.”
Slessor said the City would keep the community informed every step of the way.
The first major public event at the Gardener’s Cottage this spring was the Beach Guild of Fine Art’s Small Paintings for Small Spaces show and sale on May 24 and 25.
A number of events are planned for the months to come including painting classes, a craft sale, another art show and sale and a meet Santa Claus event among other things.
The Gardener’s Cottage second floor is currently being used as a parks supervisor’s office.
Comments are closed.