With time being of the essence, Elliot Lake council has approved the renovations of the Reel-to-Reel Theatre to convert it into an arts centre, to ensure FedNor funding will not be lost.
Bill Goulding, the acting public works director, told the council at a special meeting called late last week that the work must begin soon or the city will lose a $750,000 FedNor grant, which expires at the end of March of next year.
Council also approved the tendering process to go out for the renovations to be ready within the next three weeks.
Renovations are estimated at around $1.6 million dollars and will allow for the six different artisan groups that make up the Elliot Lake Arts Club to have their own studio space.
If all goes well, the interior work could be completed by early spring with exterior work planned for later in the year.