Hydro One buys 21.5 acres of land in Orillia
Hydro One has taken another step in the process to build a new regional operations centre and provincial warehouse in Orillia.
The utility announced on January 19 that it has finalized the purchase of 21.5 acres of land from the City of Orillia in the Horne Business Park to accommodate the construction of the facility. Financial details of the transaction were not available.
“Hydro One’s purchase of an additional 21.5 acres of land in West Orillia to construct its regional operations centre and provincial warehouse further reinforces Hydro One’s commitment to investing in Orillia,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “With the new Orillia Ontario Provincial Police detachment now open, Hydro One’s three facilities, and the Horne Business Park expansion lands selling quickly, the Horne Business Park site is a beacon for the strong economic future of Orillia.”
The city anticipates that the construction of Hydro One’s three facilities in West Orillia will contribute $200 to $300 million in near-term economic impact to Orillia. It is anticipated the regional operations centre and provincial warehouse will be constructed within the next five years.
“At Hydro One, we invest in the communities where we work and live,” said Daniel Levitan, vice-president of stakeholder relations. “We’re committed to our partnership with the City of Orillia, and are excited to move to the next phase of this project that promises to play a significant role in the city’s growth. We look forward to energizing life in the region for years to come.”
The investment is in addition to the $150-million grid control centre Hydro One is currently constructing in west Orillia. That facility is expected to open sometime this year.
“The construction of the new grid control centre is well underway; the upcoming construction of the new regional operations centre and provincial warehouse will bring significant employment to our community,” said Orillia’s chief administrative officer Gayle Jackson. “Hydro One’s investment in Orillia and the demand we are experiencing for the adjacent 25 acres of Horne Business Park lands highlights the strong economic growth Orillia is experiencing despite the very challenging times presented by the current COVID-19 pandemic.”
The City of Orillia is currently selling approximately 25 acres of fully serviced employment lands behind the Hydro One development and the Orillia OPP detachment as part of the Horne Business Park expansion lands.