Council for the Municipality of Bluewater has agreed to sell the Bayfield Lions Club building to make way for a new medical practice.
A by-law passed at a special meeting on Tuesday night executed the sale of the property at 6 Municipal Road for $700,000 to an LLP called Zulk Enterprises, representing a Seaforth doctor who wants to establish a practice in town.
The property has housed the Lions club for nearly 25 years, and more recently, became the home for the Bayfield Area Food Bank.
As part of that meeting's agenda, staff included a report of options that have been explored so far as potential homes for the Food Bank moving forward, including making space in the planned upgrades at the Bayfield Community Centre, a scenario that wouldn't be ready for years.
As a temporary measure, town staff have also looked at acquiring a trailer for the group to operate out of.
Councillor Bill Whetstone said their work was not done.
"I hope people spend the time to read this because there's a lot of great information on here as to the extent that's gone on," he said. "Obviously this doesn't end tonight, we will be continually working with the Food Bank going forward to try to come to some sort of resolution for them too."
The report eliminated three local churches as potential options, as well as highlighted issues with using a storage building owned by the Bayfield Agricultural Society.
The recommendation from community groups that proceeds from the building's sale help with the food bank relocation was not discussed by council. A report on the matter will be brought forward at a future meeting.
The Lions club has agreed to vacate the building on or before April 4.