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O'Brien Farm Foundation running out of cash for restoration project

A group that's restoring an historic property in St. John's says the venture is becoming a much more expensive undertaking than anticipated.

- O'Brien farm ideas floated at public meeting

The O'Brien Farm Foundation is working to preserve the 32 acres of land off Mount Scio Road that belonged for generations to the O'Brien family.

Foundation Chair Sharon Pippy said the City of St. John's pitched in $125,000 to connect part of the property to water and sewer lines.

However, she said the group recently came up against a financial road block.

"In subsequent meetings we found out that, in order to get the line shorter so we can access water and sewer from the barn, it will cost another $125,000," she said.

"We don't have that. They are very kindly offering us the $125,000 — with the expectation that we match it — to complete the work. We just can't."

Pippy says they're still raising money to finish extensive work on the Thimble Cottage building.

She says the Newfoundland and Labrador government provided $250,000 for cottage restorations, but that money has been used up correcting several issues on the site, such as oil leaks.

The Oxen Pond Road farm operated from the 1800s until owner Aly O'Brien died in 2008.

Pippy said the final goal for the restoration project is to show off how the old life of the farm can be applied to modern day agricultural problems.

"It's going to be a public place that the city will be very proud to showcase," she said.

"We want to look at how we are dealing with food issues right now. I think we're poised here to be a centre for demonstration so that people can walk away from here understanding more how to make your food last."