Victoria Park

[4Kitchener]

Is it just me, but is the reno on the boathouse a bit of a let down? landscaping looks great but the actual boathouse itself??? and whats with the fence around the patio... they could have done something more longterm, like an iron fence. Looks kinda trashy!

[panamaniac]

[QUOTE=4Kitchener;38868]Is it just me, but is the reno on the boathouse a bit of a let down? landscaping looks great but the actual boathouse itself??? and whats with the fence around the patio... they could have done something more longterm, like an iron fence. Looks kinda trashy![/Q

I don't find it to be a let down at all - it looks great, imho. I assume the fence around the patio is intended to be temporary.

[Greg Moore]

Is it just me, but is the reno on the boathouse a bit of a let down? landscaping looks great but the actual boathouse itself??? and whats with the fence around the patio... they could have done something more longterm, like an iron fence. Looks kinda trashy!

I would agree, but the reno isn't finished yet. A new main entrance is going to be installed on the west end of the building where the current concession is.

Word is, the complete renovation is scheduled to be finished mid-December.

[4Kitchener]

I would agree, but the reno isn't finished yet. A new main entrance is going to be installed on the west end of the building where the current concession is.

Word is, the complete renovation is scheduled to be finished mid-December.

Good to know Greg, thanks for this bit of information. I knew this project didnt look finished... and thankfully its not. Overall, the park does look fantatsic - a little bit at a time.

[BuildingScout]

Good to know Greg, thanks for this bit of information. I knew this project didnt look finished... and thankfully its not. Overall, the park does look fantatsic - a little bit at a time.

Hear, hear! Looks awesome. Kudos to Kitchener City Council & Hall for biting the bullet and doing the renos.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Bridge in Victoria Park closes for repairs
December 11, 2012 | City of Kitchener | Link

The historic pedestrian bridge in Victoria Park linking Jubilee Drive to Roos Island (bandstand) will be closed for repairs for about four weeks starting Jan. 7, 2013. The repairs involve replacing the horizontal guardrails on both sides of the bridge to meet modern safety standards.

What: Bridge closure

Date: Jan. 7, 2013

Location: Victoria Park, Kitchener

[4Kitchener]

I would agree, but the reno isn't finished yet. A new main entrance is going to be installed on the west end of the building where the current concession is.

Word is, the complete renovation is scheduled to be finished mid-December.

Anyone have any info on where their at with this Reno... I haven't seen anything being done with the actual building yet?

[UrbanWaterloo]

Funding announcement for two city projects
February 12, 2013 | City of Kitchener | Link

Government of Canada announces community infrastructure improvement funding for two city projects

KITCHENER – Join MP Stephen Woodworth, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for FedDev Ontario and Mayor Carl Zehr for an announcement regarding funding for two important community projects.

When: Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.

Where: The Boathouse, Victoria Park

What: MP Woodworth will share the details of funding for two important projects, bringing together partners and community groups that benefit from the infrastructure investments.

[Pheidippides]

The new walking bridge across the forebay on the west side of the lake.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Support announced for community infrastructure in Kitchener
MP Woodworth and Mayor Zehr announce support for community infrastructure in Kitchener
February 20, 2013 | City of Kitchener | Link

Stephen Woodworth, member of parliament for Kitchener Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, minister of state for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), and Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr announced support for two projects in the city of Kitchener from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund.

“The government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for Canadians through investments in our communities,” said Woodworth. “The Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund projects in our community will help to boost economic activity and enhance the benefit of urban conservation for Kitchener residents of all ages.”

City of Kitchener received funding for two projects: $200,000 for new washrooms in Victoria Park and $250,000 for surfacing some primary trails with asphalt. The city is contributing an additional $200,000 and $250,000, respectively, to these projects from the recreational land reserve.

“This is great news for the city. New washrooms in Victoria Park will make this busy, beautiful park even better for the community,” said Mayor Carl Zehr. “As we continue to improve our trails and urban pathway connections, we are improving quality of life for our citizens.”

[benton]

They should get new lights and do other things to prevent crime in the park.

[plam]

They should get new lights and do other things to prevent crime in the park.

Not living in fear of crime helps, since crime rates have objectively been going down everywhere in Canada. More specifically, the neighbourhood association has been promoting community spirit:

Victoria Park neighbours take the right path

November 22, 2011 | Editorial | The Record | Link

The residents of the Victoria neighbourhood undoubtedly know, however, that the criminals who have caused grief in the park and on the trail are but a small minority of Kitchener’s population.
Juanita Metzger, the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council’s community engagement co-ordinator, offered the perfect prescription for the Victoria Park neighbourhood when she said, “A connected community is a safer community.”
There is always hope for a neighbourhood so long as the people living in it feel it is their neighbourhood. They need to feel that the people they meet on the streets and in the park and like them.

[clasher]

They should get new lights and do other things to prevent crime in the park.

Have you ever been to the park at night? It's not a dark hotbed of crime. I live a few doors from the park and it's pretty empty most of the time. It's also as well lit as it can be without building stadium lights.

[Bristolman]

Unfortunately crime is a part of our culture. It will never be eradicated, but taking the necessary precautions (not walking alone) in those needed situations will safeguard you from crime.

[panamaniac]

Unless for a public event or to go to the Boathouse, I would not go into Victoria (or any other) Park after. It just seems so imprudent. On the other hand, I have never seen any data to suggest that it's any more dangerous than other places.

[BuildingScout]

Unless for a public event or to go to the Boathouse, I would not go into Victoria (or any other) Park after.

A couple of years back, I used to stroll at night in Victoria park with a girlfriend who lived near by. Never had any incident beyond seeing some guys gay cruising. On the other hand some people tried to mug us in full daylight in Waterloo park at 5pm next to Perimeter about five years ago.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Victoria Park’s new washroom may be near Courtland Street entrance
February 26, 2013 | City of Kitchener | Link

A new washroom may be built near the parking lot at the intersection of David Street and Jubilee Drive, the planning and infrastructure services committee recommended at its meeting tonight. This proposed new building in the park is subject to a heritage impact assessment and final approval of Heritage Kitchener committee and council.

A new building at this location was the preferred option of four chosen after a public information centre held at the end of January. Sixty per cent preferred the third option, which was recommended tonight. The options also included converting the existing seasonal washrooms near the playground to a year-round facility; renovating 79 Joseph St. or installing public washrooms in the ‘front garage’ near the Water Street park entrance.

“We have inadequate washrooms in Victoria Park,” said Mayor Carl Zehr during the discussion. “Option 3 is the best of all worlds. We need the washrooms. We should get them done, and get them done now.”

Staff considerations for a new washroom location included the following:

• Meeting the needs of park visitors in all seasons
• Opinions and concerns of area residents
• Accessibility and convenience
• Surveillance and security
• Heritage conservation and the contribution to the park landscape setting.

All of the options considered fell within the proposed project upset limit of costs established at $400,000. The total budget for this project is $400,000 and was approved as part of the 2013 capital budget. The budget includes a 50 per cent grant contribution (maximum $200,000) from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF), with the remaining $200,000 budget coming from the recreational land reserve fund.

The city will consult with Heritage Kitchener for the design and implementation of the project.

[benton]

Canoe rentals are back but this year its only for a couple of weeks. Starting in May 15 and ending sometime in June, city wants to see if its worth bringing it back.

Re:multicultural festival - I hope the city moves at least some of the vendors back to the original spot.

[panamaniac]

I'm glad to hear about the canoes, although I am wondering how they plan to get them in and out of the water, given the big stone blocks that now surround the lake. Maybe some kind of small dock?

---------- Post Merged at 10:09 PM ----------

P.S. The timing also seems wonky. Surely this is something they should be doing when school is out.

[benton]

That would be perfect and they should have areas where you could barbeque .......but it would probably take forever to approve.