County of Brant Council approved a plan to proceed with renovations to Bawcutt Centre in Paris during their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
The plan for The Bawcutt Centre involves a partnership with Wingbury Properties, drawing on its experience in the renovation and successful operation of the Wincey Mills (circa 1889) located in downtown Paris, to oversee the renovation project and seek commercial tenants for the building, which will remain County owned. Areas within the space will also be identified for County programming.
“I am very pleased to have a plan in place for the future of the Bawcutt Centre,” said David Bailey, Mayor for the County of Brant. “This has been a long time coming, and I appreciate the dedication of staff and community partners who have worked to help preserve this important cultural landmark. The Bawcutt Centre has a rich history in our community, and I am excited to see it continue to serve residents for generations to come.”
The Bawcutt Centre was originally acquired by the County in late 2015, assisted by a $1 million donation by Skystone Media. Over the past decade, three separate renovation plans have been considered and ultimately been unsuccessful due to various complications, including a lack of private capital funding and considerable cost increases since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the decision not to proceed with the combined County of Brant Central Library Branch and The Bawcutt Centre proposal in January 2025, the renovation plan for The Bawcutt Centre remained uncertain. With the responsibility of ownership, County Council and staff evaluated various opportunities over the past 18 months, including investigating the current market options and viability of renovations.
In 2025, the County undertook an Expression of Interest process to seek a public-private partnership to facilitate renovations using private capital funding, with only one bid received requiring a significant contribution of public funding from the County. Ultimately, a partnership with Wingbury Properties that includes the renovation of the building, was recognized as the most viable option.
“We look forward to contributing to the revitalization of The Bawcutt Centre,” said Walter Koppelaar, President of Wingbury Properties. “This building is an important part of the community and a defining feature of the Paris landscape. We will take great care in working with the County to help restore this landmark to its full potential while balancing heritage preservation, community benefit and financial responsibility.”
An analysis of options presented to Council over the past several months included the County undertaking the renovation, which staff estimated would cost approximately $14.2 million, partnering with Wingbury Properties at an estimated cost of $9.5 million, or selling the building. Council ultimately determined that preserving the building through a partnership offered the best balance between heritage preservation and fiscal responsibility. This decision by Council also separates the funding portions for the new Central Library Branch and The Bawcutt Centre, allowing both projects to move forward.
“Following considerable analysis and evaluation, consultation with The Bawcutt Centre Advisory Committee, and a cross-departmental approach to evaluate the future of the Bawcutt Centre, the plan to partner with Wingbury Properties provides the right outcome to renovate and finally secure a future for the building,” said Adam Crozier, General Manager of Strategic Initiatives. “Wingbury Properties has demonstrated its approach to sympathetic renovation of historic buildings in the County and has the private sector expertise to bring the building back to life with a mix of commercial and community use.”
