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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday June 23, 2007 - 3 BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER DREAM HOME: Chelster Hall, a 48,000-square-foot mansion in southeast Oakville is home to former Interbrew CEO Hugo Powell, his wife Tracy, their daughter Britany and one cat and four dogs. On Wednesday, they held a garden party fundraiser for St. Mildred's Lightbourn School. Chelster Hall opens gates for St. Mildred's fundraiser By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Canada's largest private home opened its gates to the community for the first time Wednesday to celebrate one of two causes the owners say they'll be championing. Chelster Hall, a 48,000-square-foot mansion on Lakeshore Rd. E., remained closed for the outdoor event because its owners Tracy and Hugo Powell say they're saving the grand opening for "the big one" ­ a benefit for the Oakville Humane Society ­ later on. St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School was the cause Wednesday, with 100 of the private school's supporters invited to a garden party at the 10-acre estate as a thank-you for their contributions. Hugo ­ the former CEO of Labatt's parent company, Interbrew ­ and his wife Tracy have a special interest in the all-girl's school: their 11-year-old daughter Britany is a student there. "We're at St. Mildred's for the long haul," Hugo told The Oakville Beaver, as guests began gathering in his backyard for the catered affair, which featured a live band. "The school has fine academic standing, and has plans to be even better." St. Mildred's-Lightbourn's The Future is Now campaign has raised $1.6 million to that end so far, and has a goal of $4 million, said campaign co-chair Janet Kincaid. That money ­ most of which to date has been raised through philanthropy ­ will be used to carry out expansion plans, including new multi-purpose classrooms, new kindergarten space, improved music facilities, a new student center, an improved senior resource centre and a new cafeteria. The Powells say they're going to help make sure those plans happen. "We'd like to see (the school) go from very good to fantastic. Anything we can do for the parent body to assist the school in reaching that objective," Hugo said. Tracy added their help will also give "underprivileged children" a chance to attend the private school, who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it. In addition to St. Mildred's, the Powells will also be throwing their support behind the Oakville Humane Society. Their love of animals is evident as soon BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER GOING TO THE CHAPEL: Garden party guests enjoy the lake view at the Chelster Hall Chapel. as you pull up to the main gates, where two engraved stones explain that Chelster Hall is named after their golden retrievers, Lady Chelsea and Manchester. Another stone indicates the Chapel of St. Francis, located at the back of the property, is named for the 13th century Patron Saint of Animals, St. Francis of Assisi. The family has one cat, three golden retrievers and, the most recent addition to the family, a dog named Bear. He arrived from the Humane Society last week. Hugo applauded the work of the Oakville Humane Society and says his family has been involved with the organization over the past 15 years, whether they've been living in Europe or in Canada. "Our core conviction would be that pets are an integral part of family life," Hugo said. Locally, the former beer baron says, the Humane Society "needs help to get a new facility and a better place." Tracy added the Humane Society should be "like a hotel." "From abandonment to adoption," Hugo explained. While the two recognize that most pets are appreciated by their families, it's those other pets they want to help out. "There happens to be a dark side of that, which is the problem where pets get abandoned," Hugo said. "That needs to be taken care of." See Owners page 4 · Wood & Vinyl Shutters, Supplied & Installed · High Quality at Affordable Prices · Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed · Serving Oakville with Shop at Home Service Authorized Vinylbilt Dealer www.shuttersetc.ca Shop at Home Service FREE