Friday, 16 December 2022 09:28

Cacti conservatory expansion on target for July opening

It was a major change at the International Peace Garden this year, with Canadian visitors being able to visit without quarantine for the first time in two years. They expect 2023 to be even better, especially as work continues on the revamp of the Conservatory. Giving them nearly double the space, it will allow the cacti collection, as seen in part on right, to have a little more space to grow. Crews continue to work on the project, with the expectation it will open in July, 2023. Moving everything in could be a prickly proposition, although Peace Garden workers are well experienced in the art. See story inside. It was a major change at the International Peace Garden this year, with Canadian visitors being able to visit without quarantine for the first time in two years. They expect 2023 to be even better, especially as work continues on the revamp of the Conservatory. Giving them nearly double the space, it will allow the cacti collection, as seen in part on right, to have a little more space to grow. Crews continue to work on the project, with the expectation it will open in July, 2023. Moving everything in could be a prickly proposition, although Peace Garden workers are well experienced in the art. See story inside.

The International Peace Garden is hoping to build on the strength of their 90th anniversary and reopen a major part of their attraction in 2023.
Like many areas, and likely more than most, the spot on the Canada-US border suffered a hard couple of summers during the pandemic. By summer of 2022, much of the world had opened up at least a little, and the Peace Garden was finally able to welcome larger numbers of Canadian visitors, albeit with a sometimes cranky app they had to show when returning to their own country. At any rate, last summer was a major experience, said CEO Tim Chapman.
“Well, 2022 compared to the two years that preceded it was much closer to pre-COVID,” Chapman explained. “Overall, we had a pretty good year, we see it as a launching pad to 2023.”
Chapman added they were adversely impacted by the ArriveCan app, which could be complicated. He is happy it was dropped in the fall, wishing it could have happened sooner. This too, points to a good 2023.
One of the reasons 2022 felt a little more normal was the return of the International Music Camp. The camp, which invites young people from anywhere to come and take arts instruction, had not been able to hold an in-person camp at their Peace Garden site since 2019. Chapman said it was hard to explain how much their return added to the overall feel.


“It felt more like a normal year with the International Music Camp here. That was one of the biggest things. We really missed them when they weren’t here.”
This year was the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Garden, and happily, they were able to celebrate it. One of the big events during the summer was the opening of the nature play area with animal habitat play zones. Bridges, dams, lodges, climbing nets; all of these components help make the attraction more family friendly, with more to come.
The biggest development in the Garden in the past several years should be completed and open in the summer of 2023. Work continues on the refurbished Conservatory and Interpretive Centre. The home of the gift shop, restaurant and the cacti and succulent collection, based on the donations of Don Vitko of Minot, is undergoing a major refit. Chapman said everything is moving in the right direction.
“It was tough not having as much access to the cacti collection last year,” he stated. “It is getting closer and closer all the time.”
Once completed, the building will be 18,000 square feet, as opposed to its previous 10,000. This will allow for a much better atmosphere for growing and displaying the unique plants, who were getting a little too large and numerous to show off effectively in the old space. The ceiling height will be about double along the north wall, which will also give the succulents and cacti more room to breathe.
“The plants will have a healthier home. You have to visualize how much bigger it will be.”
There will be more room for seating nooks, so visitors can take their time while looking at the collection. Indoor and outdoor rental spaces for weddings and events, including the renovation of two outdoor event plazas next to the Conservatory, will add to the attraction.
The Peace Garden was blessed by the Province of Manitoba and State of North Dakota with infrastructure grants to a total of $15 million Canadian, which covers the Conservatory, play area, housing and other infrastructure work. The Conservatory itself is estimated at $8 million and Chapman said it is on budget. As well as government money, their fundraising campaign from corporate and private donors is at about $750,000 Canadian, with more to come.
The work itself is going well. Before the weather became too cool, they were able to move some of the cacti from the greenhouses into the building, and are keeping them warm while the work continues. The heat is on, and workers are connecting the new to the old solarium. Concrete is being poured, and as work continues, more cacti will be moved in and everything will start to look a little more like home.
Chapman said the plan is for a grand opening on July 8, 2023.
“It is a date we are excited to have. People can come and celebrate the beauty outside and the new space inside at the same time.”
While this is going on, the Peace Garden is also currently working on other aspects of next year and the future. In 2022, they started an adopt a bed plan, where groups could sponsor a spot in the formal garden. It worked well, Chapman said, and they are in the process of connecting with sponsors for 2023.
They are also looking at long term planning, both project-wise and in financial terms. Chapman said it has been a long time since this was done.
“It will help make us sustainable and get caught up on projects,” the CEO stated.
Overall, he is excited for the upcoming year.
“I think 2023 will be really exciting. The play area has been a great addition, and we look forward to the Conservatory. We are looking to adding more and more family events, for families to have a good time and keep working to make this a 12-month a year destination.”

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff

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