The two groups vying to operate the Boathouse restaurant and music hall in Kitchener’s Victoria Park submitted their 15-page plans for the facility Friday.
“We’re feeling pretty confident. It’s a bit of a weight off our shoulders,” says Cory Crossman, part of one bidding group.
Also in Crossman’s group is his brother, Curt – the brothers are the driving force behind the KOI Music Festival – and restaurant owner Bill MacTavish.
The other group still in the running is Glenn Smith, who has operated several restaurants and music venues in Kitchener-Waterloo in the past, and musician Danny Michel.
Smith and Michel declined an interview with CTV News, but their campaign has received a boost from astronaut Chris Hadfield, in the form of a photo posted on their Facebook page.
Crossman says if his group is successful, the Boathouse will focus on high-quality music and high-quality food in a casual atmosphere.
“We’re going to offer a lot of different genres of music. We’re going to have some great food in there. Great sight lines and amazing audio and lighting,” he says.
Rod Regier, Kitchener’s director of economic development, says extensive renovations will be needed to the facility no matter which group ends up operating it.
“We want to see this to be a cultural venue, a music, live-entertainment venue, but it’s also got to be a food and beverage venue,” he says.
Crossman says his group would spend “significant” amounts of their own money to fund the renovations, and would hope to have the building open by next June.
Both groups will present their ideas to a committee of city employees next week.
“We want to find out more about what their vision is, how they plan to implement their vision, what their level of true interest and enthusiasm for the project is,” says Regier.
The facility has been shut down since September, when the city forced out former operator Kevin Doyle, who was behind in paying rent.
Councillors are expected to make a final decision in December.
