Cooper Site-Stratford

[rdaner]

 

[Edward Skira]

What's the deal with this building?

 

[ShonTron]

Until 1960, it was a major Grand Trunk/CN shop for servicing its steam locomotives. It's last use as a CN operation was the dismantling and scrap of the steam locos as dieselization was completed. I knew it was taken over later by Cooper, but not sure what they did.

 

[Conrad Black]

Are they planning to restore it?

 

[rdaner]

I don't know what is being planned for this complex. What I do know is that there are expropriation negotiations currently underway between Stratford and the owners because this site is going to be the location of a new University of Waterloo campus. If the building could be reused it would be fantastic as the original was largely composed of windows and skylights along the walls and ceiling that has been covered over. Overall I think that this is an important planning move for Ontario because a genuine cluster is being created that combines the arts and high technology in a truly urban setting.

 

[smuncky]

how "open" is this site? i'd really love to check it out sometime.