Guelph Arts Platform spokesperson James Gordon has taken back the statement saying the organization had signed a lease with the future owner of the former Guelph Civic Museum building.
“There is nothing signed,” said Tyrcathlen Partners principal Kirk Roberts, noting the company’s current focus is on finalizing the purchase of the property from the city. “We’re doing the best we can to meet our commitment to close the deal with the city to create an arts centre.”
Gordon said he wishes to apologize for comments he made in the printed  Oct. 11 Tribune story.
“We’ve been having meetings about every other day for a month,” he said of the negotiations between the Platform and Tyrcathlen. “To me, it’s a done deal.”
He said he thought a letter of agreement existed between the two parties, but it does not.
“Since Tyrcathlen does not yet own the building – their closing date is Dec. 1 – we cannot sign the lease until that time,” admitted Gordon.
“We’ve had discussions with the Platform and other organizations,” said Roberts. “It will take a number of groups to fill the building and make the building happen.”
But it’s premature to talk of signed agreements before the sale closes, he said.
“We have work to do to be able to close the purchase and make the sale happen,” he said.