Centre delayed

Organizations and businesses wanting to start their summer renovations at the former Hillcrest High School will have to wait another month, says the director of Thunder Bay Centre for Change.

About 30 businesses and non-profit organizations had planned to start renovations at the Thunder Bay Centre for Change by July 1. The Centre’s director, Sandi Boucher said they delayed the date because they needed more time to work with the tenants.

"We looked over all the work that had to be done and we’ve put on a 30 day delay on opening the centre to the tenants," Boucher said Tuesday. "We underestimated how much the community wanted this project. I’m juggling 30 different businesses moving in and that’s not including the units upstairs that are available.

“They each have to come in and see the space and discuss their own needs, work out the lease for that tenant and that takes time."

The delay was originally expected to last about two-weeks, but Boucher said even that didn’t give them enough time to have everyone look at the space, deal with concerns –such as security and properly installed fire alarms.

The centre needed a full month to get everything ready before the tenants could have access, she said.

Robert Zanette will officially become the for-profit owner of the building once the sale is finalized.

Boucher said she is responsible for relationships with the tenants while Zanette works out the negotiations with the Lakehead Public Schools.

Once they have purchased the building they will then be able to move everyone in, she said.
She added that the businesses and organizations involved took the news well.