Large donation grows diversity at Assiniboine Park

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This article was published 01/09/2016 (3539 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg couple known for generosity and dedication to the community has contributed a second significant donation toward a project celebrating diversity at Assiniboine Park.

Susan Glass and Arni Thorsteinson gifted $500,000 to the Imagine a Place campaign, supporting development of Canada’s Diversity Gardens, which brings their total donation to $1 million. The gift was announced Wednesday evening at the Imagine Garden Party, Assiniboine Park Conservancy’s major fundraising event, in front of more than 400 people.

“We can’t thank Susan and Arni enough for their generous leadership support of the redevelopment of Assiniboine Park,” said Margaret Redmond, APC president and CEO. “They are true champions of the park and dedicated community leaders. We value their support tremendously.”

Canada’s Diversity Gardens, which will be developed in the southeast corner of the park, is meant to be a celebration of culture through four cornerstone attractions — the Leaf, the Indigenous Peoples’ Gardens, the Cultural Mosaic Gardens and the Grove.

“It gives us great pleasure to pledge our support towards such an important project that will bring people from all walks of life together to learn about and celebrate culture and biodiversity,” reads a statement from Glass and Thorsteinson.

“Canada’s Diversity Gardens is going to have a positive impact on our local community and will be a huge draw for tourists from near and far and we’re very happy to be a part of that.”

Wednesday’s event raised an additional $116,000 for the project.