In somewhat of a limited report about negotiations for the sale of the Waterloo Summit Centre for the Environment, Huntsville CAO Denise Corry told Huntsville Council that she proceeded with the direction that was given to her during closed session discussions at a special Council meeting on Feb. 8, 2018.
“I’m just advising Council that through discussions I’ve been advised that they are not prepared at this time to provide a response as they have a little bit of work to do prior to responding to the questions I had for them,” said Corry.
What those questions were are unknown as Council discussed them in one of many closed sessions that have been held as part of negotiations with Denovo Trust Fund for the building. The trust fund is directly associated with the Denovo Treatment Centre out of Sundridge and their $3.9 million bid pushed out five other bidders during an RFP process held by the municipality last year.
At the November 27, 2017 Council meeting, councillors emerged to announce Denovo Trust Fund as the winning bidder, but the deal has still not closed.
“I did advise them that as noted in the RFP it clearly stated that an agreement had to be finalized within 120 days of the date that we confirmed that they were the successful proponents of the RFP… We did advise them on November 28 so 120 days from that date would be March 28th,” said Corry.
She said a response would be required with enough time to finalize documents and have them vetted by both sides; otherwise the deal is off the table.
Asked by Councillor Brian Thompson what would happen “if the deal goes south,” Corry indicated that she would at that point bring a report back to Council with options.
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Frances Botham says
This building is an extraordinary asset to our municipality and should not, in my opinion, be sold. I can’t understand why it is not appreciated and utilized to its capacity? Why not use it for council meetings instead of the bizarre consideration of squandering our money to renovate the town hall? Imagine the fantastic art gallery it could showcase and the tourist attraction it could become! There are a multitude of options. Surely this town council is composed of some with enthusiasm and vision?
Or have the bobble heads taken over?
Jim bartlett says
Let’s get it sold. I for one don’t want my tax dollars going to its up keep.
Robert Crowder says
This wonderful building should not be sold to Denovo and operated as a substance abuse rehabilitation facility. Denovo will not be treating people from Huntsville or Muskoka. This will be operating within 1km of Huntsville High School, the Summit Centre, and the winter outdoor skating rink. Also this facility will be operating within 1 km of tourist facilities such as Lions lookout, The Muskoka Heritage Center and the Portage Flyer. Real estate values will drop all over Huntsville. Town council is looking for a quick very shot sighted buck going into an election. Call/write/email your town councillor or the mayor and voice your opinion.
Bonnie Branton says
This ‘Jewel in Huntsville’s Crown’ needs to lose any “Waterloo” reference. They were only a prior tenant, (who broke their leasing agreement). Our town might enjoy contributing suggestions for a new name!
How does ‘The Muskoka Centre for Arts & Sciences’ sound? Covers a multitude of disciplines/prospective tenants, uses etc. The word “Muskoka” has a certain, undeniable ‘cachet’ – suitable for a grand location & building.
This ‘rebranding’ would assist in attracting the type of tenant/s, owners it deserves.
A Voluntary ‘Huntsville Booster’,
Bonnie Branton
Brian Tapley says
I’m not “in” Huntsville but with this building my gut feeling is that it should not be sold. The building is extraordinary and as others have written, it should be possible to find a combination of excellent uses for it. One day, it the student population at the high school expands again, it might even be a good place to put some of the higher grade classes to provide extra space.
Meanwhile I’d like to think that enough of it could be rented to tenants from the Huntsville area to pay the operating costs and some of the remaining space used for public meetings, special events and things of that nature.
The building is of high quality and it’s slightly out of the way location, with ample parking area, allows for a peaceful environment and if special events are held in it there is virtually no disruption to the normal daily activities of the town as is the case with some other venues.
Like I say, my gut feeling from years of watching this kind of event unfold, is that a short term gain might be viewed as long term loss to the town area at the end of the day.
Craig Nakamoto says
Great idea, love the name suggestion!
Dave Kealey says
it is an albatross and I , for one, do not want to spend any more money on it. Take the 3 or so million and run to the bank
Bonnie Branton, Huntsville says
Dollars and ‘sense’ – $12,000.000 (12 million dollars!) is said to have been put into The WSCE.
Brian Sproston says
Hopefully the deal with Denovo falls through since we don’t need an addiction rehab centre in the middle of town. If it were put up for public bidding instead of just an RFP, it could bring even more dollars than the Denovo bid. Yes Tulloch Engineering’s bid was lower, but if the property had a listed price, who knows how much it would have sold for?