Ancaster arts group gets lease for proposed centre

Hamilton politicians have agreed to a 10-year lease agreement with the Ancaster Society for the Performing Arts Corporation to allow the arts group to use the proposed Wilson Street Ancaster Arts Centre.

Under the lease arrangement, the corporation will be able to use the facility at a “nominal” net rental rate and ensure it is available to all local art groups.

“The Ancaster Society for the Performing Arts will operate the facility once it is built,” said Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson.

But another reason the city agreed to the lease with the corporation, said Ferguson, is because it is easier for the nonprofit organization to apply for funding. Ferguson said the federal government has available heritage grants that the corporation will be able to access. It is seeking $3 million from the federal government. “With this motion now (the corporation) can make the application and not have to go through the city,” said Ferguson.

The corporation is the lead organizer of the fundraising effort for the proposed arts centre.

The preliminary cost to transform the 70-year-old former Memorial Elementary School is estimated to be about $6.93 million, while demolishing half the structure is pegged at about $5.2 million.