On January 11 Council agenda there is an exciting report regarding Eaton Hall, located on the grounds of Seneca College. With approval of the recommendation to designate Eaton Hall as a “municpal capital facility” (MCF) the stage is set for a 3rd party to enter into a lease with Seneca whereby it (the 3rd party, an event and hospitality operator) will make capital improvements to Eaton Hall and will operate it as a hospitality and special events facility for weddings, conferences. I believe that anyone who has ever attended Eaton Hall, in the past, either at a wedding or a Sunday brucnch for which it was famous at the time, will be thrilled to see this unique building being used again for such purposes. Celebration is also appropriate as Eaton Hall is an important property in terms of its cultural heritage; this proposal represents a sustainable plan for it being protected and maintained. With designation of Hall as a MCF there are grounds for Twshp to make it exempt from property taxes. Analysis of the theoretical “lost” taxes is in the report; I have called it “theoretical” as these taxes are not collected now as Seneca does not pay taxes. Given the cultural heritage value of Eaton Hall and the commitments for community access to it I am very comfortable with this proposal. (For those unaware of Eaton Hall and its history I direct you to read Kelly Mathews’s book or at least see this summary. )
Have personally been at Eaton Hall for weddings, celebrations, recreation, etc.in the last 5 decades. I highly recommend and support any movement to designate, preserve its Heritage and returning it to the premier gathering place in King. Yes learn more about Eaton Hall in Kelly Mathew’s book.
Hi Peter, I must confess that i thought of you personally when I read the report as you have shared beautiful memories of celebrations at Eaton Hall. Now you have another reason to come back to King!…for a visit.
Great.
I have been in the hall from time to time in the past. It is gorgeous. To designate it in this protective way is progress.
There are two questions that I have.
1 ‘How large is the associated land/property falling under this designation?
2 What will the public status of the property be that is, will it be available for public use,
that is meetings, etc?
Hi Hans, Yes it is good news. I do want to clarify that at this point it is not being designaged under the Ontario Heritage Act. The Heritage Advisory Committee will need to make that recommendation to Council and the designation bylaw needs to be written. I am hopeful that with our collaborative relationship with Seneca that the necessary renovation work is done with respect to its heritage.Report indicateds that the Eaton Hall portion of Senecaa is 5 acres. No details yet on how the access by public will be managed but that is the intent. Middle of page 2 of the report provides some of the thinking.
Best 2021 news yet..having just spent 2 hours at the Marylake
property today..we have to preserve King’s heritage!! There is so much we should be proud of and willing to fight for, the Pellatt Barn, Eaton Hall , Shift to name a few.. it’s enough to ignite my volunteer adrenaline again. Debbie Schaefer you are a sainted lady of endless energy and passion for all that’s right. May humankinds resilience and all the beauty that surrounds us in King, preserve and keep you strong in the NEW YEAR.
I have been walking the Seneca and Marylake properties almost daily all winter and the distress I feel to see these magnificent buildings and environs deteriorate is palpable. I welcome new creative energy to the hall and hope this will be the start of better things for the property. There is much that needs to be done even beyond this beautiful building – so much of the architectural heritage of these two properties is abandoned and left to decay. We need to find ways to encourage these property owners to do the necessary upkeep and maintenance so that we don’t lose these buildings altogether.
Just as an idea, I remember MacLean house at Sunnybrook was opened by the Junior League of Toronto as a designer showcase house, thus restoring much of the interior and giving designers an opportunity to demonstrate their talents.
Hello Marion, I agree. When walking by heritage buildings which seem to be abandoned and are deteriorating I have 2 emotional responses. 1st there is regret and saddness; and then my imagination soars as to what could be. Happily for Eaton Hall there is now a firm plan to preserve the heritage and re-inegrate into 21st century life. For the Marylake properties there is still no plan. The trustees of the Augustinian Fathers proposed a very high level idea (i.e. no substative details) which requires a MZO to allow urban development on the Oak Riges Moraine and outside the urban boundary of King City. As I have posted Township Council voted 6/1 against endorsing a request for a MZO.