The City of Stratford is entering a final round of public engagement regarding the future of the former Grand Trunk site before city council decides on the project’s next steps. Residents are invited to participate in upcoming meetings throughout April 2026 to share their feedback on the redevelopment of the 18-acre municipal property, which sits adjacent to the downtown core.
The city has scheduled a final public workshop for April 9, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. This will be followed by a special council meeting on April 20 where residents can sign up to speak as delegations. The process will culminate at the regular council meeting on April 27 at 7 p.m., where council is set to review a management report and provide direction for the project, including a decision on a proposed municipal financial contribution toward a new community facility.
The site, which currently houses the YMCA of Three Rivers and the University of Waterloo Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business, includes a historic 160,000 square foot former steam locomotive repair building. In 2025, council endorsed a plan to keep a portion of this structure as open-air space while leaving room for future development, following a Master Plan originally created by Urban Strategies.
A primary focus of the upcoming vote is the creation of a shared community hub between the Stratford Public Library and the YMCA of Three Rivers. The city has outlined three potential options for this facility: an expansion of the existing YMCA for $49.9 million, a new 100,000 square foot building for $65.4 million, or a new 70,000 square foot building for $47.3 million. These proposals are being considered as the city looks to build on the $29.3 million already invested into the property over the last 17 years.
Mayor Martin Ritsma, who chaired the committee tasked with providing recommendations for the site’s vision, has noted that the project is essential for the community but requires strategic partnerships to manage costs. Additional information on the upcoming meetings and the project can be found on the city website at Stratford.ca.
