Former Moncton High School to be Redeveloped for Use By Arts and Culture Groups
After being on the market since 2014, it was announced today that the former Moncton High School building and property will be purchased from the provincial government by Moncton-based Heritage Developments for the full advertised price of $1-million.
The developer, an arm of Heritage Management, will be partnering with the group of local business people MH Renaissance Inc. – formed specifically to save the building from demolition and repurpose it – to renovate the building and lease cultural spaces, such as the gymnasium and auditorium, to non-profit arts and culture organizations, and various other groups. The deal also includes the purchase of a portion of the school’s athletic field.
Dennis Cochrane, President of MH Renaissance, says their organization will be responsible for developing what will be the performing arts centre portion of the space. He explains Heritage Developments will be redeveloping the remainder of the space, finding tenants for the space and running it as a commercial enterprise.
“We’ll be a not-for-profit so we’ll be working for federal and provincial funds to renovate the theatre and that part of the building,” Cochrane said in an interview after the announcement. “It’s our plan that it won’t require any kind of subsidy once we get some capital assistance to deal with the renovations and so on.”
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“That will make sure the theatre is available for public use and Monctonians will continue to be entertained there for hopefully another 82 years.”
In a release, Premier Brian Gallant emphasized the importance of a deal that would keep the building intact and not result in a demolition.
“The former Moncton High School building is part of Moncton’s cultural fabric and it is important that we did everything we could to help the community save one of the most architecturally important landmarks in the city,” said Gallant.
“This redevelopment project will celebrate that heritage and ensure the building continues as a symbol of permanence in Moncton.”
Cochrane says what remains to be done besides the actual redevelopment and renovation of the space is working out details about exactly how much of the space each organization will be responsible for and finding tenants to fill the space once it’s finished.
“The province had two or three different groups make offers to them… We’re pleased the province hung with us long enough so that we were able to get into this partnership with Heritage,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to that relationship with Heritage and looking forward to getting this part of the building up and running so once again we can open our doors and provide some of the cultural stimulation for Greater Moncton.”