Corner Brook Pulp and Paper's old human resources building may soon get a facelift and change in focus.
The main partners involved remain silent on the precise plans for the run-down building on Mill Road in the city's downtown.
According to Corner Brook MHA Gerry Byrne the idea being worked on could prove to be a substantial asset for the city in general.
The building has not been used by the paper company for years and its exterior has become shabby.
If the plan outlined by the Liberal legislature member for Corner Brook comes to fruition, the place will be brightened up and busy.
According to Byrne, the paper company has agreed to offer up the building to house a not-for-profit organization that will consist of several community-minded entities.
He said Corner Brook Pulp and Paper had expressed a need to conduct training for tradespeople needed in its operations. At the same time, said Byrne, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University was looking for space to do more community-outreach programming.
The College of the North Atlantic has expressed an interest in helping the paper company conduct the training it has planned, said Byrne.
Local entrepreneurs, he added, have been looking for a makerspace to design and test new products and business ideas.
Byrne said, while each of the partners has indicated a commitment to provide its own contributions to developing this concept, the establishment of the centre will allow it to access government funding as a not-for-profit organization to renovate and upgrade the building.
The Western Star contacted several of the entities said to be involved in this project, but none would do an interview or provide any details.
In its emailed response, the City of Corner Brook acknowledged it is involved with discussing the possible uses of the building with a number of partners, but the city those talks were still too preliminary to elaborate on.