November 12, 2008

The owner of The Butchart Gardens, Robin-Lee Clarke, today presented Annabelle, a bronze cast carousel horse, sculpted by Nathan Scott. This statue is a precursor to the hand-carved wooden carousel which will be unveiled to the public in late summer of 2009.

The Rose Carousel, crafted by Brass Ring Entertainment of Sun Valley, California will be the only one on Vancouver Island. The menagerie carousel includes animals ranging from bears, to horses, to ostriches, to zebras and mirrors the world from which The Gardens draws its visitors. Their designs have been hand picked by The Gardens’ owner with two chariots to accommodate disabled persons. The carvings are being done by some of the few remaining carvers of carousel art. Each animal is carved from basswood and takes almost eighteen months to complete.

The Rose Carousel will be housed within the 700 sq m (7,534 sq ft) Children’s Pavilion, designed by architects Hughes Condon Marler. It has a dome with a 23m (75 ft) clear span and a full-fronted glass façade.

The pavilion will contain an area for children’s parties and incorporates a seasonal food outlet also serving the fireworks area.

“I’m very happy today to present this beautiful horse which will lead the way to the wonderful hand-carved Rose Carousel within the Children’s Pavilion. This will be followed by a Children’s Garden over the ensuing years. I hope all our visitors young and old will take away lasting memories of this unique experience,” said Robin Clarke.

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Media Contact:
Graham Bell
Public Relations
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250-544-4479

Images for download

Artist's conceptual drawing of finished Children's Pavilion

Map showing location of Children's Pavilion

Poster showing some of the hand-carved animals for the carousel

—SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES—

THE CHILDREN’S PAVILION

• The building – 700 sq m (7,534 sq ft) – will be a functional enclosure accommodating a spectacular Rose Carousel, an event room and a reconstructed Coffee Bar West.
• Concrete and wood are the main materials used in the building in recognition of the former limestone quarry and forest surrounding The Butchart Gardens.
• The building is fully integrated into the site respecting the existing topography. The green roofs will dissolve into the existing bank and forest floor. The dome will be a living green roof planted with native moss and sedum.
• The integrated design follows LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) design principles and criteria.
• The building will be energy efficient utilizing natural daylight, radiant floor heating energized by an on-site water to water geothermal heat pump and natural ventilation techniques.

The Dome

• The main BC glue laminated dome, housing the Carousel, has a clear span of 23 meters (75 feet).
• The dome’s design was influenced by bio mimicry and conceived as a series of interconnected rose petals illustrating the nature of small members supporting one another to create a whole. Its design is a metaphor for the Butchart Rose.
• The dome will appear to hover over the colourful animated carousel.

THE ROSE CAROUSEL

• The Rose Carousel has been conceived as a sustainable, historically expressive, fun structure, designed to entertain children of all ages.
• The carousel, crafted by Brass Ring Entertainment of Sun Valley, California will be the only one on Vancouver Island.
• The animals and their designs have been hand picked by The Gardens’ owner Robin Clarke.
• The menagerie includes animals ranging from bears, to horses, to ostriches, to zebras and mirrors the world from which The Gardens draws its visitors. The carvings are being done by some of the few remaining carvers of carousel art. Each animal is carved from basswood and takes almost eighteen months to complete.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS
Architects
Hughes Condon Marler : Architects
Victoria, BC
T 250.382.6650
F 250.382.6652
Project Architect: Adam Fawkes
Project Manager: Terence Williams

Construction
Campbell Construction Ltd.
Victoria, BC
T 250.475.1300
F 250.475.0303
Project Manager: George Zeeman

Carousel Builder
Brass Ring Entertainment
Sun Valley, California
T 818.394.0028
F 818.332.7944
Owner: Daniel Horenberger

Sculptor
Nathan Scott
Saanichton, BC
T 250.889.3421