Stalemate comes to end as Grand Theatre Society, landlord re-enter talks

One of Calgary's oldest theatres, which had been facing the prospect of shutting down by the end of the year, has been given new life after the landlord that owns the building re-entered negotiations with the society that operates it.

Management at Toronto-based Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, landlord of The Grand theatre, flew into Calgary last week to meet with The Grand Theatre Society.

“We're feeling really optimistic that we are now aligned and that our goals align,” said Devon Leclair, board chair of the society. “We're really hopeful for the future of The Grand.”

The society said in February it was “shocked and dismayed” at Allied Properties' decision in mid-january to reject a proposal for a temporary rent reduction. Negotiations had previously seemed to be running smoothly, Erynn Lyster, executive director of the society, said at the time.

Leclair didn't say whether the landlord has shifted its position on a rent reduction and didn't provide details on what would be included in a future agreement.

“We don't know what the partnership with Allied is going to look like. We're in very early days of getting back to the negotiating table and figuring out what works,” Leclair said.

“But I will say we got a clear message from Allied that they understand the importance (of) The Grand.”

Cecilia Williams, Allied Properties president and CEO, said in an email to Postmedia she's confident the parties will reach a resolution.

“We were pleased to meet with the leadership of The Grand Theatre Society last week, I'm confident that we'll get to a positive outcome,” Williams wrote.

Last week's meeting was the first time since January that the two parties had met to discuss the matter, Leclair said.

Leclair also said the parties haven't set any timelines, but “both leadership teams understand that we need to move fairly quickly.”