The premier Grow the Garden gala dinner and auction on Saturday night will help launch the capital campaign for a new botanical garden on the Coast.
Hosted by the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden Society (SCBGS) the sold out soirée is shaping up to be an evening like no other, according to society president Lori Pickering.
"This is going to be a fabulous event and the official launching of our capital campaign," said Pickering who added she is excited to show the new concept drawing for the garden.
Pickering said 200 tickets were sold out by early January and there is a wait list of more than 25 people wishing to attend.
The auction will be handled by veteran local auctioneer Ed Hill and people will be bidding on innovative items like two tickets to the VanDusen private gardens, four tickets to a taping of Spence on the Coast TV cooking show, a limited edition framed print,Whispering Wisteria by Pender Harbour artist Motoko, or a round of golf at the Sechelt Golf and Country Club with Premier Gordon Campbell and his wife Nancy. A highlight item up for bid is a Costa Rican holiday - one week for two in a private casa at Cloud Bridge, a private nature reserve on the slopes of Mount Chirripó.
A list of all auction items can be found on the SCBGS website (www.coastbotanicalgarden.org). The list is lengthy, and Pickering said it shows the support the community has for the botanical garden from both the private and public sectors.
"This property seems to have an almost magical effect on people," added society vice-president Mary Blockberger. "They [people] come on tours, sometimes not knowing much about what we're trying to create, and leave absolutely committed to the project."
Co-chairs Wendy McDonald and Blane Hagedorn will lead the Grow the Garden capital campaign. Both bring a wealth of knowledge and passion with them to the cause.
McDonald, a businesswoman since the '40s, was the first woman in the Vancouver Board of Trade's 103-year history to be elected chair. McDonald has also volunteered numerous hours with organizations involved in trade, technology and health.
Hagedorn has lived on the Sunshine Coast for 35 years, was the owner of SuperValu and has volunteered his time with national trade organizations, the Rotary Club and Sunshine Coast Community Foundation.
Pickering said thanks is due to Hamilton McClymont for preparing the campaign document.
"We now have a capital campaign plan, which sets out in detailed fashion how our fundraising target can be achieved," she said.
Hagedorn said the SCBGS must raise $1.6 million, of which $870,000 will cover the cost of purchasing the land on Mason Road in West Sechelt that is currently being held in trust. The rest will pay for phase one of the garden's development.
"They are very organized, and the campaign that has been laid out is very doable," Hagedorn said.
Pickering said they have about $100,000 collected to date and the money to purchase the land must be in hand by June 1, 2010.
"An important aspect of the plan shows how each dollar raised from the public can be multiplied by matching funds from various government grants. So keep those donations coming because every dollar you donate translates into two or three or four when we apply for the grants," said Pickering in a recent message to society members.
Tree growth charts will be placed in Pender Harbour, Sechelt and Gibsons so as donations are made, the public can see how close the society is getting to its goal.
Landscape architects Patricia Campbell and James Bennett, both local residents, created a conceptual plan for the garden. Pickering said they used the ideas and suggestions gathered from numerous public meetings, the more than 550 society members and those who have taken tours of the property.
According to Pickering, 17 people brainstormed with Campbell and Bennett to come up with three designs. Then the architects completed one conceptual design for consideration.
"As we move forward we need more and more people with different skills sets to join us," Pickering said. "No matter what your area of expertise or what level of involvement you envision, we have a place for you."
