Town Invites Community to Imagine the Future of Historic Downtown Landmark
Collingwood, ON [22 June 2026] – The Town of Collingwood is inviting residents, businesses, community organizations, and stakeholders to share their ideas and help shape a vision for the future of the historic federal building at 44 Hurontario Street.
The Town has an opportunity to purchase the building, which is currently occupied by Service Canada, and is seeking community input on how this landmark property could be reimagined and contribute to the continued vitality of downtown Collingwood.
This engagement is intended as an open brainstorming exercise, inviting residents to share ideas that are not only practical, but also innovative, ambitious, unexpected and creative. While exploring new opportunities, the Town is committed to preserving the building’s historical character and significance
“This is a rare and exciting opportunity to imagine the future of one of Collingwood’s most iconic buildings,” said Mayor Yvonne Hamlin. “We know our community is full of creative ideas, and we want to hear what residents envision for this historic space and how it can continue to contribute to the energy and vibrancy of our downtown.”
Potential future uses could include a mix of community-serving functions such as space for non-profit organizations, municipal programs, government services, community gathering spaces, local businesses, or other uses that meet evolving community needs. The Town is open to a broad range of ideas that align with community priorities and the Community-Based Strategic Plan.
The building has already been considered for some upcoming Town projects, including, for example, a dedicated arts centre. However, due to significant structural modifications that would be required, as well as site and parking limitations the building was deemed not suitable for this use. However, ideas for arts, culture, and creative programming remain welcome as part of the visioning process.
Community feedback will help inform Council’s consideration of the opportunity and contribute to developing a community-informed vision for the property. Public input will be considered alongside financial, technical, operational, regulatory, and engineering information currently being gathered through the Town’s due diligence process, including a building condition assessment.
Should the Town proceed with the purchase, future uses would be implemented gradually. Interim uses may be possible while Service Canada continues to occupy a portion of the building, with larger renovations or longer-term plans potentially unfolding as space becomes available.
The visioning process will be guided by principles including accessibility, inclusivity, fiscal responsibility, long-term sustainability, heritage preservation, partnership opportunities, downtown revitalization, transparency, and alignment with the Town’s strategic priorities including the Downtown Master Plan.
The Town is committed to making participation easy, accessible, and meaningful. Community members are encouraged to share their ideas, learn more about the project, and stay informed as the process unfolds.
This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of a landmark building that has been part of Collingwood’s story for generations. The Town looks forward to hearing the community’s ideas, aspirations, and vision for what comes next.
Residents can learn more about the project, submit ideas, and subscribe to updates at engage.collingwood.ca/federal-building.
Photo credit: Dave West Photography
