SMITHS FALLS — Smiths Falls council has approved a five-year lease allowing the Rideau Environmental Action League to continue operating the REAL Deal Reuse Centre at 85 William St. W., while signalling the arrangement should be viewed as short term due to the aging condition of the building and rising future costs.
Council endorsed the lease at its Feb. 9 committee of the whole meeting, following a report from Director of Community Services Stephanie Clark. The agreement runs from Jan. 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2030.
Clark told council the lease term was deliberately limited after a 2025 building condition assessment confirmed the former public works facility remains suitable for its current use, but is not appropriate for major long-term investment.
“The building does require significant upgrades,” Clark said, adding it is not in such poor condition that it raises immediate safety concerns. She said the five-year term provides operational stability for REAL while giving both parties time to plan future options without committing the town to premature capital spending.
Chief administrative officer Malcolm Morris emphasized that the renewal should not be seen as a long-term solution.
“We are approaching an inflection point where the modest contributions we make will increase significantly,” Morris said. “Five years is reasonable based on the building condition assessment, but I would not predict another five-year extension beyond this one.”
REAL has operated at the William Street site since 2008 and has been part of the Smiths Falls community for more than 30 years. Its operations include a reuse store, electronic waste depot, tool-lending library, compost demonstration site, community and pollinator gardens, and environmental education programming.
Under the lease, the town will continue to provide the building at no cost in recognition of the organization’s waste diversion and environmental benefits. The town will also cover insurance, the building envelope, and minor structural maintenance, and will continue paying the annual land lease to Parks Canada, which owns the underlying property.
REAL is responsible for utilities, snow removal, and all program-related and non-structural maintenance. The building is provided on an as-is basis, and the organization may not materially change the use of the site without written approval from the town.
The town’s annual costs associated with the arrangement are estimated at $6,520, including $1,520 in rent to Parks Canada and approximately $5,000 in maintenance.
Councillors spoke in support of the lease while acknowledging long-term uncertainty.
Coun. Peter McKenna said the organization makes strong use of both the building and surrounding property, including community gardens and environmental programming, making it a welcoming site for community members.
Coun. Jennifer Miller said the five-year term provides critical stability for a not-for-profit organization, allowing it to continue operations while longer-term planning takes place.
Morris said staff meet regularly with Parks Canada and suggested future discussions could include land ownership or potential land swaps, though no decisions have been made, as suggested by Coun. Dawn Quinn, who chaired the meeting.
Council unanimously supported the staff recommendation on the lease agreement.
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