Work has officially kicked off on a four-building demolition that will make way for the seven-hectare $120-million Grimsby Innovation Centre.
The former NRB Modular Solutions location at 115-169 South Service Rd., east of Casablanca Boulevard, is the site of the centre that will be constructed in four phases over the next two years.
“The existing building being demolished is 60,000 square feet and a couple of local businesses will be relocating on the site,” said Grimsby economic development officer Frank Miele.
The project is being spearheaded by 129 SSRG Inc., a partnered company that was formed to build the centre.
“The building will be owned and built by Fiore Vacca and his partners. They have 100 per cent ownership,” said Miele.
Vacca is chief executive officer of Stoney Creek-based Norstar Windows and Doors. The other owners are, John Vacca, president of Norstar, Yuval Barzakay, David Horwood and Ari Yakobson.
The first phase is being built for ATCO, a publicly-traded Calgary-based engineering, logistics and energy holding company.
According to John Vacca, ATCO purchased NRB in 2024 and they will fully occupy the first 122,000-square-foot phase for the manufacturing of their modular structures.
“Phase two will be the renovation of existing buildings, approximately 34,000 square feet. Phase three will be approximately 150,000 square feet and phase four will be around 60,000 square feet,” said Vacca of the 100 per cent privately funded, 17-acre project.
The fourth and final phase is due for completion in the fourth quarter of 2027, with multiple occupancy units facing the Queen Elizabeth Way.
The architect for the project is David Hacking of Hamilton-based LANHACK Consultants Inc. and the contractor is DeFaveri Construction, also Hamilton-based.
Of the leased phase one, Doris Kaufmann Woodcock, ATCO manager, media and corporate communications said, “The innovation centre’s location holds a great legacy for us given that ATCO Structures has operated in the immediate vicinity for over four decades.
“In fact, the foundation of that legacy is routed in our people, the local community and suppliers that we continue to value in the manufacturing of modular building solutions for our customers. Given this, we’re very happy to be carrying on our business in Grimsby and we will continue to rely on the dedication of our long-standing employees to help our growth plans take shape.”
According to Vacca, upon completion, the centre will consist of over 350,000 square feet of industrial space and will generate approximately 400 jobs.
Phase one occupancy is projected for Oct. 1, 2025, with the balance of the project due for completion by 2027.
“Once completed, the newly renovated industrial park will provide a much-needed boost to our local and regional economy which we hope will attract other investments,” said Miele.
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