Film producer moving ahead with purchase of former Shelburne naval base

By Greg Bennett

The Coast Guard

A spunky Australian movie producer appears poised to be the new owner of the property and soundstage at the former CFS Shelburne.

It was smiles all around at Shelburne Municipal Council on Monday night as Steve Gilmour explained that the board of the Southwest Shore Development Authority had accepted his $2.75-million proposal for the site.

Gilmour, accompanied by his partner, producer and writer Clare Bourke-Jones, spoke with councillors about their plans for the site, which includes the production of the movie Harvest Moon, expected to cost $25-million to film.

The deal for the former base has not been finalized and Gilmour has several hurdles to cross before he is given the keys.

His dealings with SWSDA, so far, have been fraught with frustration.

Last month, the producer withdrew his proposal after becoming fed up with the way negotiations with the South West Shore Development Authority were going, blaming SWSDA CEO Frank Anderson for using delaying tactics.

On Monday, he said he was willing to put his ire for the process behind him and concentrate on starting his new movie company at the site. There are also tentative plans for an animation studio to be located at the former naval base.

But the story of the base and Gilmour’s proposal promises to be one fraught with twists and turns.

On Monday, Gilmour was confident that lawyers would be able to work out the fine points to everyone’s satisfaction.

The next day, the movie producer says he was surprised and angered by the addition of several clauses to the sale of the property, which included a non-refundable deposit and a clause that would allow another bidder to make a higher offer, giving him only five days to close the sale.

If the sale of the base is finalized in his favour, Gilmour, who now lives in the Annapolis Valley, plans to buy a property in the Barrington area to be close to the studio.

The movie producer has large plans for the site, and also hopes to reopen the facility’s pool for community use.

“We’re looking forward to getting started,” he said.