Grand Trunk Renewal Project

The Grand Trunk site in Stratford, seen from the air. The university campus is in the bottom left, and the structure is in the background. (Image ©Superkül, 2025)

Stratford's Grand Trunk site is an 18-acre municipal development property, adjacent to the downtown core. It features an historic former steam locomotive repair superstructure that is currently vacant, measuring 160,000 square feet (14 864.5 square meters). The property's size and proximity to downtown make it an ideal location for a variety of active uses. The site is home to the YMCA of Three Rivers and the University of Waterloo’s School of Interaction Design and Business.

The site is envisioned as a place for education, community, health, culture, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with spaces, places and services for both residents and visitors. The City’s goal is to transform this site into a vibrant focal point of the community.

Currently, the City Council and staff are working together on the next phase of the project. This phase involves exploring developer interest in the site's potential, especially for housing and the structure's clean-up and adaptive reuse. Creating a shared community facility on site is also under consideration, with the YMCA and the Library as key partners. Parking improvements may also be assessed.

Stay informed, share your opinion!

We want to hear from you! Stay involved and informed by joining the public conversation on the project. Watch here for updates, including dates for public engagement opportunities.