Stratford, Ont.-based Ballinran Entertainment has proposed the construction of a film and television production facility in the city under the name Stageview Studios.

The proposed studio would be redeveloped from an existing warehouse located in Stratford’s heritage downtown district. Ballinran would move its office into the building, but it would be open for use by other production companies, Ballinran CEO Craig Thompson tells Playback Daily.

Designed by local architect Michael Wilson, Stageview is planned to be more than 33,000 square feet, which includes editing suites, office space, loading bays and more. The actual studio space, Thompson explains, will be “just shy” of 6,000 square feet. Should the proposal be approved, he says construction is planned for later this year and scheduled to be completed by 2027.

“It’s not a massive building … but it gets our toe in the door in terms of creating a regional content production industry,” says Thompson. “We’re not expecting Netflix or CBS to come down to Stratford to do their productions. This is more to facilitate regional production and make it easier for shows like Murdoch Mysteries, when they come down to the region, to have spaces where they can [have] holding areas and craft services and makeup.”

A consortium of local businesses and investors are backing the proposal, which is currently at the zoning and bylaw stage. Thompson also mentioned the possibility of setting up an equipment depot in Stratford in the future.

Photo by Michael Wilson