Public art at Exhibition Place will stay behind the fence at Muzik nightclub for now, viewable only by virtual tour or by appointment.

A report to the Exhibition Place board of governors signed by CEO Dianne Young and adopted Wednesday says moving the 20 limestone sculptures — known as the Garden of the Greek Gods, created by renowned Toronto sculptor E.B. Cox — would cost a minimum of $500,000.

Family and friends of Cox, who died in 2003, are outraged the pieces are blocked from view and can only be accessed by nightclub patrons. They worry the art is at risk.

Several photos taken by Cox’s daughter, Kathy Sutton, show cracks in the limestone. It’s not clear if the damage was done by nightclub patrons or from construction to expand the patio.

Relocation is a “possible longer term option,” but Exhibition Place staff recommend, for now, arranging with Muzik daily opportunities for the public to view the artwork.

A “virtual tour” has also been recommended for the Exhibition Place website as well as a staff archivist or masonry conservator consultant to inspect the sculptures monthly.

At the Ingram Gallery, which continues to represent the late artist’s work, director Tarah Aylward has cast around for estimates to move the art. A monument company specializing in tombstones would charge $40,000 to $50,000 for “one crane, five guys, five days, 20 sculptures,” she wrote in an email.

The Canadian National Exhibition Association bought the Gods from Cox in 1979, according to the report. At the time, Cox said he crafted them specifically with children in mind and hoped they would enjoy climbing and playing on them for years to come.

The sculptures are considered the property of Exhibition Place and remain on the City of Toronto’s inventory of public art.

Muzik has leased the land from Exhibition Place since 2004 and opened for business in 2006.

In 2008, owner Zlatko Starkovski started to expand the patio, eventually fencing in all 20 sculptures. The sculptures are not included in the lease, according to Councillor Mike Layton.

He moved a motion directing staff to report back to the board with more detailed options to make the Garden of the Greek Gods more accessible, including exploring relocation.

“This was clearly an oversight — Exhibition Place didn’t have a policy around its pieces of art and it has a lot of them all over the grounds. We should have good, strong policy around it so we can maintain public access.”

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Muzik also advertises the artworks on its website, noting the “hand carved stone sculptures by E.B. Cox that dot the unique landscape.”

Ed Conroy, Cox’s godson, spoke to the board at Wednesday’s meeting.

“What kind of precedent does it set if future artists are wary about donating their art to the city if this kind of thing happens again?” he said.