McKennitt wants a deeper review on Normal School’s future as possible sale looms

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Though Loreena McKennitt originally thought the sale of Stratford’s former Normal School to the Stratford Festival could be advantageous, she now thinks a more comprehensive public review should take place.

McKennitt shared her thoughts at the most recent Stratford city council meeting after the lease for the Normal School, now called the Discovery Centre at the Normal School, was up for renewal.

Though council is considering selling the school – and the festival has made a public petition to buy it for $1 – staff were still recommending renewing the lease until December 2025 so council can make a final decision.

McKennitt had previously called the festival a reasonable buyer, but had a chance to review the documents prepared by them and has some concerns.

“The festival notes in their letter to council that they are currently running a deficit, but does not provide an accompanying financial plan as to how they would intend to maintain a building that, by their own words, may require as much as $3.5 million in capital repairs over the next decade. So, where would these resources come from?”

She also suggested the idea the festival is not assisted by the municipality and its residents, as artistic director Antoni Cimolino said in his delegation on Jan. 16, is “misleading.” For instance, the festival does not pay property taxes on any of its properties.

“A quick calculation of the festival's lease rate for the Normal School over the past 10 years suggests that perhaps the city has also been subsidizing this aspect of the festival's operation to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year,” McKennitt continued. “I think strong consideration must be given to the prudence of selling a multi-million-dollar property for a minimal amount of $1, even if it would serve to free up capital reserves for other priorities. Some would say this offer may be just too generous, given the city's contributions to date.”

Council unanimously voted to extend the lease until Dec. 31, 2025. CAO Joan Thomson confirmed a report on the potential sale of the property is still being worked on by staff and will be before council, but did not provide a date or timeline.