Heritage committee unanimously approves redevelopment of the Boathouse
The redevelopment of the Boathouse in Kitchener received a unanimous stamp of approval from the city’s heritage committee on Tuesday afternoon.
The vacant venue, in the heart of Victoria Park, is now one step closer to getting a makeover and some new amenities.
A rendering showing the proposed Boathouse development. (City of Kitchener)
Some of the changes proposed by Walkinshaw Holdings include a cantilevered patio, an addition to the west façade, upgrades to windows and doors and a new building entrance.
The now-red brick structure was originally built in 1929 and over the years has undergone a number of modifications. The majority of the building’s elements, including doors and windows, are not original to the building.
The Boathouse in Kitchener's Victoria Park. (CTV Kitchener)
A heritage study presented to committee members found that the building, park and heritage conservation district would not be adversely impacted by the proposed plans.
The study also found that the proposal supports the economic revitalization of the district and would create opportunities for more people to enjoy the historic site.
“One of our biggest drivers here, to bring back the vibrancy to this location, has actually been accessibility and how can we maintain a lot of the existing character of this building, and around the building and maintain the existing sight lines and romantic stylized elements,” said Matt Bolen from Edge Architects Ltd.
Now that the application has received the green light from the heritage committee, a report will go to council later this year to seek approval to enter into a lease agreement. Walkinshaw Holdings hopes to reopen the facility to the public in the spring of 2023.
Correction
A previous version of this story said the heritage permit application would be discussed at the next Kitchener city council meeting. In fact, since the approval by committee was unanimous, it will not be required to go to council.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A short-lived 'punch in the face' cold snap is coming for Eastern Canada
The beginning of February is expected bring Arctic-like temperatures across much of Eastern Canada, thanks to frigid air from the polar vortex. The cold snap will descend on Eastern Canada this week, with temperatures becoming seasonable again on Sunday. In between, much of Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada can expect the coldest days yet this winter.
Family in remote northern Ont. reeling after daughter killed in fire, home destroyed
A family in the remote community of Peawanuck, Ont., is dealing not only with the death of their young daughter, but the loss of everything they owned in a Jan. 28 house fire.
Late Jean Vanier sexually abused 25 women, says non-profit he founded
A report commissioned by a non-profit organization founded by the late Jean Vanier says the Canadian sexually abused 25 women during his decades with the group.
Girl, 6, dead after accident involving T-bar lift at Quebec ski resort
A six-year-old girl died in hospital Sunday night after being involved in an incident at the Val-Saint-Côme ski resort in Lanaudiere. Quebec police are investigating, though details into the event are not yet known. Officers indicated that it involved a T-bar lift, but they were not able to say more.
BREAKING
BREAKING | Committee of MPs recommends that hybrid Parliament become permanent, with caveats
MPs on the Procedure and House Affairs Committee are recommending that hybrid Parliament and the electronic voting system become permanent features of the House of Commons.
Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull dies at 84
Bobby Hull once proudly said that he played the way he lived -- straightforward. The Hockey Hall of Famer, who electrified fans through the 1960s and 70s, died on Monday at the age of 84. Hull played for the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks before a jump to the Winnipeg Jets of the upstart World Hockey Association in 1972, a move that led to lawsuits but ultimately higher salaries for hockey players.
Quebec RCMP say they rescued man trying to cross U.S. border on foot through woods
Quebec RCMP say they rescued a man over the weekend who became lost in the woods in heavy snow while trying to cross the border into the United States.
Why adding a bit of milk to your morning coffee might be good for you
Adding some milk to your morning coffee may boost the body's anti-inflammatory response, new research out of Denmark shows.
Michael Jackson's nephew to star in King of Pop biopic
Michael Jackson's 26-year-old nephew, Jaafar Jackson, will play the King of Pop in the planned biopic "Michael" to be directed by Antoine Fuqua.
London
-
London driver charged following fatal crash with pedestrian
A person has been charged following the death of a pedestrian in a crash last week. As previously reported by CTV News, a pedestrian was struck by a car near Hamilton Road and Watmar Avenue on Jan. 24.
-
Fatal house fire in London
One person has died after a house fire in London. Crews were called to the scene on Tremont Road near Trafalgar Street around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.
-
St. Thomas police seek suspect in violent home invasion
Police in St. Thomas, Ont. are asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect who they allege participated in a violent home invasion over the weekend.
Windsor
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Council will not hear motion to rescind support of drug consumption site location
Windsor city council will not hear a motion to rescind support of a previously approved location of a consumption and treatment site (CTS) saying a compromise has been reached.
-
Chatham-Kent IBL baseball club to immediately drop 'blackbirds' name
The newly minted Chatham-Kent Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) franchise is immediately dropping their recently announced “Blackbirds” name after learning the term held historical derogatory use.
-
High number of opioid overdoes prompts alert
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) issued an alert Monday after 11 opioid overdoses were reported last week.
Barrie
-
New walk-in clinic to open in Huntsville
Residents in Huntsville will soon have quicker access to healthcare with new walk-in clinic.
-
Collier Street Parkade single-vehicle crash
An early morning crash at Collier Street Parkade sent the driver to hospital.
-
Warm temperatures delay ice fishing season on Lake Simcoe
The unseasonably warm temperatures have caused a delay in the ice fishing season throughout some parts of the region.
Northern Ontario
-
Family in remote northern Ont. reeling after daughter killed in fire, home destroyed
A family in the remote community of Peawanuck, Ont., is dealing not only with the death of their young daughter, but the loss of everything they owned in a Jan. 28 house fire.
-
Suspect was asleep behind the wheel, bag of coke in their lap, Sault police say
Two people discovered asleep in a vehicle in Sault Ste. Marie on Jan. 30 were found with weapons and more than $175,000 in illegal drugs, Sault police said Monday.
-
3.7 kilos of cocaine seized in northern Ontario by provincial guns and gangs unit
A joint forces drug trafficking investigation in northern Ontario has resulted in three people charged and drugs, cash and a vehicle being seized.
Ottawa
-
Governments failed Ottawa residents during convoy occupation, people's commission finds
A report into the impact of the "Freedom Convoy" occupation on residents of Ottawa has accused all three levels of government of failing to uphold the human rights of people who live and work in downtown Ottawa.
-
Member of Kanata 5 tragedy launching BrainSTRONG charity to raise awareness of brain injuries
One of the five cyclists injured by a driver in Kanata in 2009, known as the "Kanata Five", is launching a charity to raise awareness about the effects of Acquired Brain Injury.
-
OPP identify victim in Eganville femicide as mother of accused
Ontario Provincial Police have formally identified a woman who was found dead in Eganville last week as the mother of an 18-year-old man accused of murder.
Toronto
-
The Farmers' Almanac just revealed Ontario's spring forecast. Here's what to expect
The Farmers' Almanac just revealed its spring 2023 forecast and Ontario, along with much of the rest of Canada, is expected to see a “turbulent transition to warmth,” the agency predicts.
-
Sunwing passenger recounts moments after pilot shuts down engine mid-air
A Toronto passenger said her Sunwing Airlines flight was unforgettable as she recounted the moments after the pilot shut down the plane’s engine mid-flight to Montego Bay on Friday.
-
3 teenagers charged in alleged armed attempted carjacking in Rexdale
Three 15-year-old boys are in police custody following an alleged armed attempted carjacking in Rexdale early Sunday morning.
Montreal
-
Girl, 6, dead after accident involving T-bar lift at Quebec ski resort
A six-year-old girl died in hospital Sunday night after being involved in an incident at the Val-Saint-Côme ski resort in Lanaudiere. Quebec police are investigating, though details into the event are not yet known. Officers indicated that it involved a T-bar lift, but they were not able to say more.
-
Quebec minister calls on new anti-Islamophobia representative to step down over Bill 21 comments
Quebec's minister responsible for secularism, Jean-Francois Roberge, has called on Canada’s new special anti-Islamophobia advisor Amira Elghawaby to apologize and step down.
-
Late Jean Vanier sexually abused 25 women, says non-profit he founded
A report commissioned by a non-profit organization founded by the late Jean Vanier says the Canadian sexually abused 25 women during his decades with the group.
Atlantic
-
Halifax murder trial hears key witness describe gruesome details of crime scene
The grisly aftermath of an alleged fatal shooting was described today during the murder trial of a former medical student accused of killing a fellow student in Halifax seven years ago.
-
Saint John police investigating sudden deaths of man, woman
Police are investigating the sudden deaths of two people in Saint John, N.B. The Saint John Police Force responded to a medical assistance call at a home on Red Head Road shortly after 8 a.m. Monday.
-
Man dies after he was found unconscious in Cape Breton jail cell
An inmate at the provincial jail in Cape Breton has died after he was found unconscious in his cell.
Winnipeg
-
Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull dies at 84
Bobby Hull once proudly said that he played the way he lived -- straightforward. The Hockey Hall of Famer, who electrified fans through the 1960s and 70s, died on Monday at the age of 84. Hull played for the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks before a jump to the Winnipeg Jets of the upstart World Hockey Association in 1972, a move that led to lawsuits but ultimately higher salaries for hockey players.
-
Manitoba premier promotes four backbenchers in pre-election cabinet shuffle
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson promoted four backbenchers from suburban Winnipeg areas to her inner circle Monday in a cabinet shuffle eight months out from an election.
-
Man found dead in Winnipeg hotel; police investigating as homicide
Winnipeg police are investigating the death of a 40-year-old Winnipeg man at a Main Street hotel as a homicide.
Calgary
-
Banff National Park cave creature exists 'no where else': Parks Canada
Castleguard Cave is located about 170 kilometres north of the Cave and Basin Historic Site.
-
RCMP warn of snow and ice-covered QEII Highway north of Calgary
RCMP are warning motorists to travel with caution on the QEII Highway north of Calgary due to slippery driving conditions.
-
University of Lethbridge will not host scheduled lecture by controversial guest speaker
The University of Lethbridge, following a great deal of push back from students and members of the public, says it will not provide space for a planned lecture from a controversial guest speaker.
Edmonton
-
Mindbender roller coaster closed after 37 years at West Edmonton Mall
The Mindbender roller coaster at Galaxyland has been shut down, West Edmonton Mall announced on Monday. The redevelopment of the area is already underway, and the roller coaster is being decommissioned and removed.
-
'Disturbing': Smith promises change after Edmonton bus damaged, rider threatened with ice pick
A 20-year-old man has been arrested and charged after police say he caused more than $5,000 worth of damage to an Edmonton Transit Bus and threatened a female passenger, acts that drew condemnation from Alberta's premier.
-
1 charged in firearms trafficking investigation in Edmonton, Gibbons, Fort McMurray
A 50-year-old Gibbons, Alta., man is accused of trafficking firearms.
Vancouver
-
B.C. reveals plan for decriminalization of small amounts of drugs for personal use
British Columbia is taking a major step forward in its fight against the province’s deadly overdose crisis by decriminalizing the possession of a small amount of certain illicit drugs for personal use.
-
Fire that trapped B.C. man in his Tesla was not caused by car's battery: Transport Canada
An investigation into a frightening incident where a Tesla suddenly caught fire in North Vancouver—briefly trapping the driver inside—has ruled out the car's battery as the cause, according to Transport Canada.
-
Const. Nicole Chan feared she'd never work again after last hospital visit: VPD sergeant
A Vancouver police sergeant who says he was Const. Nicole Chan's friend and mentor has told a coroner's inquest that Chan believed she would never return to work because human resource officers went to the hospital when she was apprehended under the Mental Health Act.