Carnegie Sale Delayed
September 6, 2004

Photo by Craig Campbell.

The city is apparently intent on selling Dundas' Carnegie Gallery, but has agreed to delay the process for one year. The Dundas Star is reporting that the reprieve for the historic building was authorized a week ago by Tim McCabe, the city's Diector of Development.

The lease to the Dundas Art and Craft Association will be extended to December 2005. It had been scheduled to run out this December on the eve of the Association's 25 th anniversary year. The group took over the building in 1980 after it served as the Dundas library for over half a century.

When the Association went to renew its lease in April it was told that the city was thinking about selling the Carnegie. A decision was promised for late June, postponed to August 3 and then to September. The uncertainty over the building's future has disrupted booking of events for the Association's 25th anniversary celerations.

McCabe confirmed last week that:"We are interested in disposing of it. There's no doubt about it." But he indicated that the preference is to sell it to Association.

The city is trying to save money by selling off some of its property. The Carnegie is assessed at $224,000, but unloading it appears likely to simply shift the burden onto community volunteers. The building is heavily used for art exhibits, public meetings and other events.

The Carnegie is one of the best-known buildings in downtown Dundas . It was opened in 1910 with a grant from oil baron Andrew Carnegie, and is now designated as a heritage property. The Association raises more than 75% of its operating budget through membership fees, sales and fundraising events. In 2003 the gallery had nearly 12,000 visitors.

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