Eganville Leader to continue publishing under new owners

The Eganville Leader, a weekly community newspaper serving Renfrew County, has been sold to London Publishing Inc. and the Aylmer Express, which say they plan to keep operations largely unchanged.

Gerald Tracey, who ran the Eganville Leader for more than 50 years, has sold the weekly community newspaper after a year of seeking a buyer following recent medical issues. The paper has been in his family since 1944 and was at risk of closing this month when buyers were not found. After several potential deals fell through, Tracey announced the Leader has been sold to new owners. The new owners are London Publishing Inc. and the Aylmer Express, who will be equal partners. Key facts: - The Eganville Leader was founded in 1902 and has been in the Tracey family since 1944. - Gerald Tracey led the paper for over 50 years and sought a buyer after recent health issues prompted a potential closure. - The paper has about 3,600 paid subscribers, plus several hundred online subscribers, with additional copies sold at newsstands. - Ownership will transfer to London Publishing Inc. and the Aylmer Express as equal partners, according to the announcement. - Ray Stanton, owner of London Publishing Inc., is quoted as saying the strategy is to change nothing about the paper’s operations, and local officials and readers responded positively to the sale. Summary: Local readers and officials welcomed the sale, which ends months of uncertainty and preserves the Leader’s weekly print and online editions. The new owners say they plan to keep operations largely unchanged, and Tracey said work now begins to renew and build the subscriber base. Undetermined at this time whether there will be any immediate editorial or staffing changes.