The city says the conservatory would cost more than $1 million to repair and maintain by the end of next year.
Citing “misinformation that has appeared in recent media reports”, the city released to reports on the conservatory Monday night to show that glass has fallen at the building. City facilities and fleet manager Michael Smith said the third-party assessment reports prove that the city needed to close the conservatory on Feb.14 because of health and safety concerns.
“To validate those concerns and to help us review some of the options as we move forward,” Smith said.
Staff even found another piece of glass Monday morning that had fallen he said.
“Glass has fallen.”
The first report by KGS Group Consulting Engineers, dated Dec.3, 2010, concludes that none of the Conservatory’s greenhouses meet structural requirements for snow and rain loading. But the report stated that the city didn’t need to close the conservatory, just monitor it and plan to upgrade it immediately.
The second report, from Feb. 3 of this year, recommends that the conservatory be replaced or that more steps need to be taken to ensure the glass is secure.
Smith said $1.3 million is needed to repair the building. Another report with recommendations is coming back to council late March or early April
