Victoria Park Foundation looks for funds for a big fix

A foundation that wants to give Victoria Park in St. John's a facelift has launched its fundraising campaign.

Doug Bennett, the chairmanof the Victoria Park Foundation,grew up near the park and is now tasked with finding the money to do the work.

"This is a part of the heart of old St. John's that really, really has been overdue for a renewal," he said.

"It's a park that has been very popular over the years, and I think the biggest thing that people will see is a new space to gather."

The Victoria Park Foundation formed about six months ago with the goal of sprucing upthe 126-year-old park.

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On Wednesday night at city hall the group showed off its plans, work that will cost millions of dollars.

"The No. 1 job of the foundation is to raise funds to see the completion of the work of the park, and we've got a timeline, probably, to the end of 2018, 2019 to have the work completed," Bennett said.

The City of St. John's and the provincial government have matched funds to give the group about a million dollars in seed money, but there is still much more that needs to be raised, he said.

"Our foundation has to raise somewhere in the vicinity of $2,500,000. We have our work cut out for us, but we are very, very happy to do it."

Ward 2 Coun. Jonathan Galgay said thisproject has been in the works for years.

"It's fantastic news," he said. "My constituents are extremely happy, and people are really looking forward to the work being completed."

Phase 1 work is currently underway at the park, with crews putting in electrical work for lighting.

Bennett said it will take a few years to complete the projectbut people will result will be something people will enjoy.

It's going to be an all-inclusive park, whether you are a senior citizen or someone with a young family," said