Stratford City Council has voted in favour of a $4.9 million deal to sell off 48 Water Street to the Stratford Festival.
CAO Rob Horne says $900,000 of that deal is dedicated towards moving the community groups and clubs such as the Kiwanis and lawn bowling association to new locations.
Horne outlined some of the aspects of the deal, which includes the sticking point of retaining public access to park lands and the expansion of public parking on the grounds.
The Festival intends to use the grounds for the redevelopment of the Tom Patterson Theatre into a new, multi-use facility.
The project has already racked up more than $65 million in funding thanks to the provincial and federal governments along with the Festival’s own fundraising efforts.
Horne says that $900,000 will go a long way towards renovations to the Stratford Agriplex, the new home for the displaced groups who used to call the riverfront grounds home.