Stating their case
Posted Sep 28, 2011 05:21:02 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Councillor Dan Glenn-Graham stood with a panel of City of Kitchener staff to field questions, comments and concerns from an impassioned group of about 150 residents of the Victoria Park neighbourhood as well as musicians and patrons of The Boathouse regarding its closure.
Participants in the town-hall style meeting took turns standing up and stating their case, from what the popular Blues and Rock venue means them to what they believe is to be done after the planned Victoria Park Lake construction.
Many people shared with the audience a deep, personal connection to the venue that has become, what was often described, as a “cultural icon.” One person described it as a “one and only place,” that could not happen anywhere else, “the Boathouse is in a picture perfect postcard and that’s where the heart of our culture beats,” to thunderous applause.
Several speakers spoke on behalf of the musicians who will not have that stage to ply their craft upon for the foreseeable future, one individual saying “all those musicians…every time I go there I see a different band and a different group, and you’re putting a lot of people out of work.”
City staff continued to inform the crowd of the reasons why this is happening, including the safety risks of the entire lake about to become a “heavy construction site,” and that operating the venue would not be possible, let alone pleasant, given the foul odour the dredging will kick up. Even to this end, one person spoke up to say, “the smell will not bother us because the music played at the Boathouse is so good.”
Many in the audience took objection to the fact that once construction is complete, the city cannot promise “first dibs” on the building to its current leaser, Kevin Doyle, to re-establish his business. Staff explained that in an effort to remain transparent, they must take all lease proposals seriously. However, staff indicated they will keep in mind the wishes of the community when the time comes to offer the building for rent in the spring.
The city has given Doyle until the end of December to continue renting the building. However, Doyle has chosen to leave by the end of October. Construction is planned to being in November and to continue through March.
