The former Tremont Hotel may not be facing demolition after all. Collingwood Council has agreed to spend up to $10,000 on an engineering study to determine if the structure can be saved.

Collingwood CAO Gord Norris reported to Council on Monday February 25th, that Theatre Collingwood is prepared to postpone the creation of a business plan for the possible creation of a new theatre at the Tremont location.

Council had previously approved a memorandum of understanding with Theatre Collingwood to allow the theatre group to proceed in the putting together of a business plan to determine if the creation of a performing arts centre at this location would be financially viable

Recently, Collingwood Council heard a deputation from Richard Lex, representing the Collingwood Branch of Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, regarding the future of the former Tremont Hotel.

Mr. Lex was concerned that most of the former Tremont Hotel building could be demolished as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and Theatre Collingwood. While stating that the Collingwood Branch of Architectural Conservancy of Ontario has no problem with the town’s vision of constructing a new theatre at this location, Mr. Lex stated that maintaining only two walls of the historic structure will destroy the integrity of the building. “It is not a process in our view was in line with the process laid out for protecting the building under the Ontario Heritage Act” said Mr. Lex. .

The Town of Collingwood purchased the Tremont property in 2005 for slightly more than one million dollars. At that time, the plan was to use the land for additional parking.