CitySSMCanadian Bushplane Heritage Centre Executive Director Mike Delfre presented an update on the facility to City Council on Monday night.  Admissions at the centre continue to go up with just over 15 thousand in 2014.  Most of those came from wedding and special events.  Despite the encouraging numbers, the centre still operates with an annual operating deficit and increasing costs for wages and utilities. There were 25 weddings booked at the centre in 2014.  The bushplane centre was also the site for many events including the annual Festival Of Trees, the 3rd annual Festival of Beer and the 4th annual Bridal Expo, among others. Last year was the third year for the White Pines Field School at the centre. It was also announced by Delfre last night at the centre has experienced a 50 percent growth in membership over the last 5 years. Delfre added that staff will continue to work to make the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre a community resource.

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Some choice words were made regarding the posting for the job of Chief Administrative Officer at last night’s City Council meeting.  Ward 1 councillor Steve Butland commented that the posting in its current form was not acceptable and needed to be re-worked.  He suggested that the City’s Commissioner of Human Resources and perhaps the Communications Officer should be involved in the posting to be circulated across Canada.  Councillor Lou Turco added that he should have received a copy of the posting prior to its publication last week to allow for commentary.  He also said that he was not contacted by Robert Johnston of North York firm OCL Search, even though Mayor Christian Provenzano mentioned that everyone had been contacted.