Picnic shelter in Victoria Park recommended to be demolished: report

A picnic shelter in the southern end of Victoria Park in Kitchener, which has been a part of the community for over 70 years, is being recommended for demolition.

The shelter in question is located at 35 Dill St., in the southern end of Victoria Park, next to the basketball court and a City of Kitchener facility. The report says the structure, built in 1952, is listed as in “fair-poor” condition and is unsafe for public use.

It is described as approximately 28 feet by 76 feet (2,128 sq. ft) in size and is open on all sides, with a corrugated metal roof being held up by steel poles.

An engineering report from April conducted by WitzelDyce Engineering Inc. said the typical life span of a structure like this is between 35-50 years. It notes that “priority repair” was needed for the posts to prevent potential harm to the public. The tarmac under the structure was listed as a tripping hazard and “does not adequately shed water away from the base of the posts.”

Currently, the tarmac at the base of the posts appears built up, elevated and uneven due to decades of water erosion.

“If the noted repairs are not completed, the structural components are susceptible to further deterioration and may worsen or result in safety hazards. If the structural posts are not repaired by November 2025, we recommend that the shelter be closed to the public and temporary fencing be installed,” read the report.

The report to council said that Facilities Management staff and Parks and Cemeteries Division staff have decided that demolition is the best option instead of repairs. An estimated cost to take down the old shelter and build a new one could be around $190,000, and would happen in 2026.

Since the structure is located in the Victoria Park Area Heritage Conservation District, and requires a heritage permit before any construction or demolition can get started.

The Heritage Committee will meet at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

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