L FLAVOU FALIntroducingRS
DRIVE-THRU SPECIALTY COMPOUNDING BLISTER PACKS TRANSFER IN TODAY - WE DO THE WORK!
Pumpkin Patch Bowl
519-736-2223 • apcw.ca
Apple Orchard Bowl
433 Sandwich St S.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Buyer interested in Diageo plant By Ron Giofu
There is a potential buyer interested in the Diageo plant in Amherstburg but the union representing its workforce is still pressing to keep Diageo in town. As part of last Tuesday night’s town council meeting, Mayor Michael Prue said he has been part of meetings with a proponent, who is also in the beverage industry. Prue had previously said he had heard from multiple groups interested in the property with Premier Doug Ford backing that up recently by stating there are three interested parties in the site. Diageo announced in late August that the company is looking to close it in Feb. 2026 and shift the work from the St. Arnaud St. site to the United States. “We have been working in this town with one of them,” said Prue. “I’m not at liberty to tell you who they are or where they’re from, but they have made some offers for the Diageo plant and would be desirous of taking over the plant along with its employees.” The proposal has run into some roadblocks, the mayor reported, but the Town of Amherstburg has had “constant discussion” with Ford’s office, Essex MPP Anthony Leardi, provincial Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli and Invest Ontario. “The discussions are going very well. We’re hoping the proponent who is wishing to buy this plant is able to do so,” said Prue. An alternative structure in Amherstburg is also being looked by the proponent should Diageo choose not to sell the plant, he added. Prue said all 168 unionized employees would stay employed, he added. “We’re working very hard on this,” he said. “All we can do is wait and see what happens. The big hammer, of course, is held by the premier. The premier has told Diageo that he will delist them if they move away. He can also delist them if they don’t play ball and let this plant be taken over by somebody who wants to keep Amherstburg people employed.”
Continued on Page 10
CPAP SUPPLIES & MACHINES
Now Available!
*Covered Under Your
519-736-0972
433 Sandwich St S., Amherstburg
One of the potential options for a new town hall at the Valente site at 130 Sandwich St. S. is pictured here, as presented by the Town of Amherstburg. One option includes a civic theatre while another features a new public library within the space.
Town hall options to be discussed Oct. 27 By Ron Giofu
The Valente Development Corporation received zoning bylaw approvals in July for its development at the former General Amherst High School and now a decision is forthcoming on whether town hall will be part of it. A 25-page report is on the Oct. 27 council agenda outlining a pair of options regarding the relocation of Amherstburg town hall to the property at 130 Sandwich St. S. In addition to moving town hall to the building, if approved, the proposal could also include either a civic theatre or space for a new library. The report – co-authored by director of parks, facilities and recreation Heidi Baillargeon, heritage planner Adam Coates and Deputy CAO/director of development services Melissa Osborne – lists pros and cons administration has of not only the Valente proposal, but five others as well. The others include building a new town hall at Bill Wigle Park, a renovation/addition to the Libro Centre, building on land not yet acquired, building at the
FREE
public works site and rebuilding at the current location. The five options came from a Space Needs Assessment Project (SNAP) by Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. (JLL) last year. Costs for a town hall with potential civic theatre space is estimated just shy of $13.9 million, and does not include costs for any technical components required for a new council chambers or a theatre and its operation. The estimated cost for the town hall option with a potential public library is over $15.6 million but does not include any technical, moving or shelving costs associated with moving the library. “The total potential costs for the project as a whole inclusive of highest heritage cost of $1 million, plus, parking, generator and contingency ranges from $18 million (option 1) to $20 million (option 2). This cost per square foot inclusive of contingency using a $20 million budget equates to approximately $523.90 per sq. ft. for Option 1 and $469.86 per sq. ft. for Option 2,” the report states.
THE
LOFTS AT ST. ANTHONY - CIRCA 1911
Continued on Page 4
N OW O P E N
WALK-IN
seminar about Dementia Prevention. RSVP at
HEART TESTS
HEART TESTS EKG/ECG HOLTER/BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR (24H)
HearingLossAndDementia.ca (226) 773-1007 JOHN D’ALIMONTE
SPONSORED BY Preferred Realty Ltd., Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated
Sales Representative
519-796-8073
SAME DAY SERVICE!
519.736.1684
519 736-9980
MON-FRI 8AM-4PM + SAT 9AM-12PM
433 Sandwich St S., Suite 101