With two-and-a-half months to go until the deadline, Ontario Northland has found “a potential location” for its bus service in Orillia.
The company has been picking up and dropping off passengers at 150 Front St. S., which used to house the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce and Service Ontario, but the city approved the sale of that building in May.
Ontario Northland’s lease will expire Oct. 31.
“We have found a potential location for an Ontario Northland agency,” said Ontario Northland spokesperson Renee Baker.
The company had invited local organizations to reach out if they were interested in hosting the bus depot. Further information, including the potential location and whether anyone offered space to serve as a depot, is not yet being released.
“We are still in the early stages of negotiations,” Baker said. “It would be too early to release details at this time. We will certainly notify the community and all stakeholders once we have worked through the details.”
The former train station on Front Street was listed for sale in October 2018. The city was asking $900,000. On May 6, council authorized the sale to Tim Chow.
The city stated at the time that the terms of the agreement and the purchase price would not be released until the sale closes on Nov. 1. It did note, however, that the offer "exceeded the city's asking price."
