City councillors will discuss a land-swap deal with the company that is developing the area around the former Barrie Central Collegiate at tonight’s general committee meeting.
A motion will be on the table regarding the exchange of property with HIP Developments at the former downtown high-school site to allow for the redevelopment of W.A. Fisher Auditorium and a new events centre there.
A final decision will be made at next week’s city council meeting.
HIP, a Waterloo-based company which is proposing a residential development in the area of Dunlop and Bradford streets, would receive Red Storey Field, as well as with 34, 36, 38 and 40 Bradford St.
The city would receive the Fisher Auditorium building and property, along with land to the east fronting on Dunlop Street West and Bradford Street.
The deal is dependent upon council’s final acceptance of a business case for the development and operation of W. A. Fisher Auditorium and Event Centre.
Council recently approved the facility design for the theatre/convention centre project, which could carry a $25.6-million price tag.
The theatre would include a side loading dock, an expanded catering kitchen, storage facilities and a fly gallery, which is a theatrical rigging system of rope lines, pulleys, etc. The facility would have 400 seats or room for 800 people standing.
The land swap could also include a section of land for a new YMCA facility.
