The City of Pickering has announced a new partnership with William F. White International Inc. (WFW) on the lease of city-owned lands for use as a movie and television filming backlot.

Officials made the announcement on June 17, confirming the Sunbelt Rentals company will being leasing the Ontario lands east of Toronto, located north of Green River, for up to a nine-year period. The backlot is approximately 22 acres of a 90-acre property. The lease is set at $30,000 a month and runs from Oct. 1, 2021 until Dec. 31, 2026, with an option to renew for two further terms of two years each. The agreement could generate approximately $3.5 million in lease revenue for the city of about 98,000.

Currently, the backlot is home to principal filming for a major streaming service’s new television series. Following the lease period, the city’s plan is to convert the area into a district park.

“The City of Pickering is proud to enter into this partnership with William F. White International Inc. – a respected and renowned industry leader,” said Mayor Dave Ryan in a release. “While I am thrilled this partnership will generate millions of dollars in revenue for the city, I am also very proud that Pickering is fast becoming a major player in Ontario’s burgeoning film and television production landscape.”

The agreement is in line with the City’s current vision to bolster investment and activities in the local creative economy while creating jobs and generating more local businesses. The announcement of WFW setting up shop comes two years after TriBro Studios first broke ground on its Pickering studio facility, a planned 400,000 square-foot space that will part of the company’s tourism hub, Durham Live. A casino, hotel and dining options are also being planned.

According to officials, the WFW backlot becomes the largest of its kind in Canada. As part of the agreement, WFW agrees to submit an annual sustainability report including energy conservation measures, responsible management and diversion of waste streams, site cleanliness, and potential green fleet practices.

The city will also explore opportunities for local academia and the performing arts community to become involved in technical training, mentorship programs and other industry-related initiatives.

“The Ontario film and TV industry is accelerating at a rapid pace, and we’re thrilled to announce this partnership with the City of Pickering on Canada’s largest film and TV backlot,” added Garin Josey, EVP and chief operating officer, WFW. “We’ve been actively supporting productions in the GTA for a number of years, and this expansion into Pickering will surely create more opportunities for industry growth within the region.”

According to Rick Perotto, WFW’s Vice President of Business Development, the area is suitable to double as any small town in North America. “This piece of Hollywood-style movie magic right here in Ontario will also be fully supported by our comprehensive suite of film and TV equipment services,” he said in the release.

Canadian-based WFW already has an impressive presence in the country with locations in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Halifax. And in Ontario it has already set up assets in Sudbury, Mississauga and Toronto.

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