Council Advances Next Phase of Grand Trunk Renewal

Stratford City Council has directed a series of next steps to advance the Grand Trunk Renewal project, marking a significant milestone in the long-term revitalization of the site.

The decisions approved at Council’s April 27, 2026 meeting focus on moving the project into the next phase of planning and analysis, with three key areas of work:

Shared Community Facility: Council approved a municipal capital contribution of up to $15 million toward a shared community facility estimated to cost approximately $55 million in total. The project is being advanced in partnership with the YMCA of Three Rivers and the Stratford Public Library, with the remaining costs anticipated to be funded through contributions from those partners, grants, fundraising, and development charges.
Market Sounding: Council directed staff to initiate a market sounding process to assess potential developer interest in the site. This process will help determine what types of mixed-use and residential development are viable and inform future development options, including considerations related to the existing above-ground structure on the site (the former CNR shops building).
Parking Strategy: Council directed that Grand Trunk parking be addressed through the upcoming Downtown Parking Study, ensuring a system-wide approach. Recommendations will be brought back to Council once that work is complete.

Council’s direction enables the City to continue working with project partners, including the YMCA of Three Rivers and the Stratford Public Library, to advance the project. Planning for the community facility and the market sounding process will advance over the coming months, with updates expected to return to Council later in 2026. This approach fits with the vision for the GTR. It falls in a budget that has a limited impact on property tax, while balancing other municipal priorities like roads and infrastructure.

Updates will be shared publicly as key milestones are reached. Any future development opportunities will be subject to Council direction and appropriate procurement processes.

These decisions build on earlier recommendations from the Grand Trunk Ad Hoc Committee and a series of Council workshops held earlier this year.

Through these workshops, Council explored the complexity of the project, including development approaches, financial considerations, and long-term investment strategies. A Special Council meeting was held on April 20 to hear public feedback on the proposed directions. This input, along with the technical analysis and Council discussions, informed the decisions made on April 27.