Kitchener musician pushing to turn The Boathouse into a live music venue
A Kitchener musician is lobbying the city to turn The Boathouse back into a live music venue.
The Boathouse, formally a restaurant and music venue, has been closed since the fall of 2019.
The sign still sits outside the building located in the heart of Victoria Park in Kitchener.
Peter Temple has started a petition to revamp the venue and plans to take the issue to city council.
He said there aren’t enough music venues left in the region since the pandemic but admitted if a new business moved into the building they might need extra help. He is calling out city officials to help the next business financially..
“I would like to see this venue treated like every other venue that has support of the city. The Museum, the Centre in the Square,” said Temple.
Temple said it was his favourite place to play and has performed there dozens of times.
“The capacity was only 80 but it was a music-centric crowd that appreciated music,” said Temple.
According to Brian Bennett, the manager of economic development at the City of Kitchener, new life might be coming to the building soon.
“We are looking forward to issuing a new request for a proposal this fall,” Bennett said.
Bennett said the city hopes the new tenant can move in by the summer of 2022.
The city said it could become a music venue again but they are keeping their options open.
“Open to any applicants who would like to be an operator if they meet the criteria of the proposal,” said Bennett.
Some residents who live near Victoria Park said it could get very loud on some days when live performances were happening.
One resident, Ian Graham, said he heard of some complaints but said it got better in recent years and he didn’t mind the music.
“Quite a number of years back there was an issue with some of the residents that I knew and they said they like the music but It got loud past certain point but I think as far as I knew they did solve that,” Graham said.
Temple said it is worth it and said it will benefit the next generations.
“And the future of cultural expansion and tourism,” Temple said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.