Media Release: Keep Assiniboine Park Public Rally to be held Saturday
October 13, 2006 at 2:42 AM
Unionized workers at Assiniboine Park will be rallying to keep the Park Public on Saturday, as part of the campaign to stop the city from creating a new agency to run the Park.
In July, City Council approved plans to set up the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, an independent agency to take over full management of the Park and its activities. The Free Press says “it will have representatives from the city, province and all three non-profit agencies that currently operate within the park: Friends of the Conservatory, the Manitoba Zoological Society and Partners In The Park, which looks after the park's Pavilion and Lyric Theatre.”
The members of CUPE Local 500 think City Councillors should keep the park public. They believe that public ownership and control will keep the Park a viable public service and asset.
“We believe that City operations and control of the Park is the best way to go to assure there is the investment for keeping the Park vibrant. If it falls into private hands, there is a likelihood that fees will go up and the Park will have to generate funds or make cuts in services,” says Gary Swanson, President of CUPE Local 500.
Information Picket – 10:00 am to 11:45 am (Park Entrances)
Rally – 12:00 noon (at the Duck Pond)
All candidates for Mayor and Council have been invited to participate in the Rally at noon.
CUPE Local 500 represents about 6,000 members.
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For more information:
Gary Swanson, President, CUPE Local 500: 942-1001(office) 612-7757 (cell)
Karen Byzuk, Local 500 Communications at 942-1001
Dennis Lewycky, CUPE Communications at 333-5065
