CDS Launches Building Magic Campaign for the Junior School

On Wednesday morning, Head of School John Liggett announced the Building Magic Campaign for a rejuvenated Junior School. Joined by CDS Board Chair, David Myers, and Board member and Chair of the Advancement Committee, Molly Fitzpatrick, Mr. Liggett unveiled the plans for an inspirational renewal to our beloved Junior School in front of 150 parents in the Paul C. Duckett Theatre.

The Building Magic Campaign will seek to build a new wing for our original Junior School, a spectacular and welcoming entrance that will showcase our 1883 Eversley Schoolhouse, and rejuvenate our existing indoor and outdoor junior spaces. This campaign seeks to raise $7 million toward what is expected to be a $12-14 million project.

The quiet phase of this campaign has been underway for sometime, and CDS has already raised 50% of its goal - $3.5 million. Of particular note is a transformational gift of $1 million from one of CDS’s original parents – Michael Burns.
Mr. Burns was the School’s fourth Board Chair, a key player in purchasing the Junior School when it went up for Auction in 1978 (up until that point CDS had rented the property), and fundraising chairman of CDS’s first campaign. Long time supporters of the School, Michael and his late wife, Sue (Cathers) Burns, hosted the CDS Auction from 1982-97 in their riding arena just south of the School, and Michael fondly remembers plowing the School’s front playing field in the early days.

This is an exciting time for CDS. We remain grateful to all who have supported the School in the past and have already come forth to support our newest initiative. For more information on the Building Magic Campaign, please visit our website at www.cds.on.ca/BuildingMagic or contact the Community Relations Office at (905) 833-1220 ext. 269.
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