David Dunlap Observatory sold

The University of Toronto confirmed this week that they have an agreement in place to sell the David Dunlap Observatory.

In 1935 when the David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) was first opened, the surrounding Town of Richmond Hill had just over 1,000 residents. The site of the DDO was chosen because it was far enough away from the bright lights of Toronto, which make astronomical observation impossible, yet close enough to allow for easy travel from the University of Toronto’s downtown campus. The observatory buildings and surrounding park lands were a gift to the University of Toronto by Jessie Dunlap in memory of her late husband, David Dunlap, a businessman and amateur astronomer. The David Dunlap Observatory is home to the largest telescope in Canada, and was where Dr. Thomas Bolton conducted ground breaking research that led to the discovery of black holes in the early 1970s.

During the 73 years since the DDO opened, Richmond Hill’s population has grown to over 160,000 residents. The booming development around the 189 acre David Dunlap Observatory site has led to an increase in light pollution. In October 2007, U of T decided to sell the observatory buildings and surrounding park lands on the grounds that the space was no longer appropriate for astronomical observation. The university felt that the memory of David Dunlap would be better served by investing the proceeds from the sale of the observatory into a new David Dunlap Institute of Astronomy, to be located at U of T’s St. George Campus. Although U of T has not confirmed the sale price, with land in Richmond Hill selling for up to of $600,000 an acre, it is believed that the David Dunlap Observatory is worth as much as $ 100 million dollars.

Although the the deal has not officially closed (this is expected by the end of the month), university staff who work at the observatory have been given their notice to leave the premises. Some of the staff will move to other U of T facilities, others were laid off entirely. Public tours of the observatory were officially stopped last month. The university has guaranteed that the site will be fully vacant when the buyers take ownership.

The proposal to sell the DDO has been very controversial. Community activists such as the Richmond Hill Naturalists believe that due to scientific, cultural and environmental attributes, the DDO is a site of not only community, but also provincial and national importance. They fear that by selling the land, its important attributes will likely be lost to development (speculation has been that the property was bought by Menkes, a development company, though this can not be confirmed until the deal officially closes). The Cultural Heritage Landscape Study of the site identified that in addition to 1930s architecture of the observatory and administrative building, the site is also home of surviving elements of the Alexander Marsh Homestead, and has a regenerating natural landscape complete with a resident deer herd. Located between Yonge and Bayview north of 16th Avenue, the site is especially unique in the area when compared to the surrounding surburban neighbourhoods.

In addition, many people who use the facility disagree with the university’s assertion that the observatory is no longer useful. Dr. Thomas Bolton, who has used the observatory since his ground breaking research in the early 1970s, has stated repeatedly that the light pollution in the area is not a significant source of obstruction to meaningful research. In an interview with CBC Radio’s Sounds Like Canada, Bolton stated that because of a light pollution by-law that has been in place in Richmond Hill since the 1990s, and advancements in telescope technology, the quality of visibility has not been reduced below what it was in the early 1970s.

listen to interview

With further small investments in technology, Dr. Bolton has said that visibility could get even better. Astronomers who support the observatory have argued that it is a change in priorities to different kinds of research, and not an increase in light pollution, that has motivated the university to sell the site.

The fight to preserve all or part of the land is not yet over. Later this summer the provincial Conservation Review Board will hear begin a review process to determine how much of the property should be protected. The Town of Richmond Hill is looking for 48% of the site to be protected, including the property’s historic buildings, while the Richmond Hill Naturalists want 100% of the property protected.

There is also a Facebook group dedicated to saving the observatory.

Photo by odei