Gage Park

[SteelTown]

Gage Park highlights

* The Hamilton Children's Museum: The plan is to construct a building that will have nearly five times the floor space of the current Children's Museum. The new structure will have room for a wider array of exhibits targeting infants to youth, as well as library and parent resource centres. New parking for will be provided as well as a new drop-off area.

A business plan will be prepared to reuse Gage House, the museum's current location.

* The tropical house: A new two-storey structure, at least 1 1/2 times larger than the current space, will be adjacent to the demonstration gardens. This building will be connected to the museum through a breezeway and will offer community outreach programs that cannot currently be offered because of space. Staff will be able to look at using the facility for more events, such as increased wedding photography and floral shows.

* The aviary: The aviary will have a permanent home for the first time since being forced to move from Dundurn Castle in the '90s. It's currently housed at the Royal Botanical Gardens, but the facilities need extensive repairs. Being at Gage Park will give the public better access to the aviary, which has been around since 1928.

* Storm water management: The eastern edge of the park is a location that could accommodate a storm water management facility. This would hold and dissipate surface water from the Rothsay community, where city staff say the combined sanitary and storm system needs relief. The final form of the facility is still to be determined.