Filming of The Handmaid’s Tale will return to Newmarket next week as the production company shoots both new and previously delayed scenes in the downtown core.
Toronto-based Whizbang Films is returning to film June 12 to 16, mainly in the area of the Old Town Hall on Botsford Street, which will involve some parking and street closures.
“The town continues to work closely with the production company to balance the community impact by using multiple locations, including private parking lots, to accommodate production needs and spread it out in an effort to reduce potential congestion,” the Town of Newmarket said in a news release today.
The production previously ran in Newmarket in March and early April, garnering some excitement in the downtown and also closing some streets and parking areas.
The acclaimed show based on the book by a Canadian author Margaret Atwood is filming for its fifth season.
The town said the new filming days will result in an additional $50,000 in permits and fees in its coffers, not including any downstream benefit from hotel bookings and shopping. The town estimated the March filming had a $200,000 positive economic benefit, which was shared in part through a shopping voucher giveaway campaign.
Throughout the entire production period, there will be intermittent closures on Timothy Street, Botsford and Market Square Lane. There will also be limited on-street parking on Timothy and Botsford and no parking at the Old Town Hall. A portion of the Market Square parking lot will also be used.
The town also said there will be Main Street closures on Tuesday, June 14 between 8 and 10 a.m. in three-minute intervals, but they would let cars pass through between takes.
The town said portions of the Lions Park parking lot, St. Paul’s Church parking lot and Ray Twinney Recreation Complex south parking lot would also be used by cast and crew.
The town warned that municipal enforcement officers will place notices on any vehicles parked in the spaces the day before closures, and they must be relocated by 7 a.m. the next morning. Vehicles remaining will be towed to the Riverwalk Commons parking lot at the production company’s expense.
The town noted alternative parking lots at the Riverwalk Commons, Fairy Lake, and on Main Street.
“The town would like to thank the community, particularly its downtown residents and businesses, for their patience during this time,” the municipality said. “While there will be some short-term inconveniences, the production brings a positive economic return to the town, the community and local businesses. The revenue generated will provide a long-term investment in the downtown core and reinfuse vitality and energy to the community as it recovers from the pandemic.”
Town council recently voted to have staff work to update the municipal film production policy. They plan to change it from a universal approach to a tiered version treating small and large productions differently, potentially encouraging more large productions companies to choose Newmarket.
The town said it welcomes questions and feedback, and residents can call a helpline at 905-716-9800. You can also contact customer service for general and non-urgent inquiries through [email protected] or 905-895-5193, pressing 3 if after hours.
More information is available at heynewmarket.ca/filming
