Boathouse supporters had their say Monday night and Kitchener City officials listened to their ideas about three construction plans already presented to the public.
Members of the public brought forward concerns relating to the future site and most seemed worried about a proposed 80 foot boardwalk between the Boathouse patio and the lake.
Three plans have been proposed by City staff ranging from a $500,000 upgrade to a more modest $250,000 plan.
The most expensive design features a wooden boardwalk that some say poses a possible fire risk from discarded cigarette butts.
City staff listened and recorded the feedback.
"The thousands of people that come to the park have a right to have access to all of the shoreline without going out and around the front of the Boathouse but I'm sort of open for negotiation on that," said Frank Etherington, Kitchener City Councillor for Ward 9.
The final plans will likely be a balance between two very different sets of people who frequent Victoria Park.
But there's still the problem of a tenant. Kevin Doyle runs the Boathouse in its current form and has been given first right of refusal on the new site. But if he takes the new space then he'll have to cover costs of upgrading the kitchen.
"It's over $150,000, I know that, for the size of that area and what needs to go in it," Doyle pointed out.
Doyle and city lawyers are currently trying to come to an agreement on a long-term lease.
If they can't, the city will need to find a new tenant with deep pockets. Boardwalk or not.
City staff will meet with a group that wants to see improvements to Victoria Park but aren't affiliated with the Boathouse.
City councilors will present the final plans for the Boathouse at the February 6th meeting.
