Safety upgrades underway in Kitchener’s Victoria Park
Work is underway to reinforce the Heritage Bridge in Kitchener’s Victoria Park and it’s hoped that once construction is complete, Roos Island will reopen to the public for the first time in almost a year.
The City of Kitchener blocked off access last April to facilitate the safety upgrades to reinforce the bridge’s structural integrity.
“Every two years we do an inspection of all of our bridges and our last inspection of this one was flagged to have some deficiencies, some safety issues with it, so we’re rehabbing and repairing that,” explained Chris Spere, the director of engineering for the City of Kitchener.
The pedestrian bridge is expected to reopen in early April.
After that, Spere said, there will some touch-ups done on Roos Island later in the spring to “clean up some of the vegetation and restore the bandshell.”
“I think it’ll look great,” he added. “The bridge is going to be open, free for use [and] no restrictions. The island is going to be open for the summer.”
Residents are also excited by that prospect.
“It’s one of the best places to feed the geese and the ducks,” said on neighbour.
Roos Island closure
Starting in the summer of 2022, people experiencing homelessness began setting up tents on Roos Island. At one point there was up to 60 people living there.
The last person living on Roos Island left in January 2024. The city told CTV News that they weren’t evicted and received appropriate care and shelter.
MORE: Timeline of the Roos Island encampment and closure
A city spokesperson confirms no one is currently living on Roos Island.
They also said staff will keeping an eye on the park to prevent a similar situation.
“We currently employ dedicated staff who regularly monitor all our parks for any safety concerns, including potential encampments,” the city’s statement read. “Our staff would work with individuals to ensure we connect them with any services they may need.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
TONIGHT Watch live here: The Trump-Harris 2024 presidential debate is tonight
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump will meet face-to-face tonight in the ABC presidential debate. Here's how to watch the event that comes just two months before election day.
U.S. presidential historian predicts results of November elections. Here's who he says will win
An American presidential historian is predicting a Kamala Harris presidency as the outcome of the upcoming U.S. elections in November.
6 things to watch for when Kamala Harris debates Donald Trump
The fundamental question ahead of their meeting in Philadelphia, one of the highest-stakes national debates in a generation, is whether – and how – the presidential candidates can deliver a compelling message.
PwC plans to track employees' location while at work. Is this practice legal in Canada?
As PricewaterhouseCoopers plans to enforce its back-to-office policy by tracking employees in the U.K., one employment lawyer explains whether the practice is legal in Canada.
Terror suspect entered Canada with student visa in June 2023, immigration minister confirms
A Pakistani citizen who was arrested last week in Quebec and charged with plotting a terrorist attack in New York City came to Canada on a student visa in June 2023, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has confirmed.
Canadians want to tip 15% at restaurants, don't want to tip for takeout, survey says
Despite what the default options on the payment terminal might read, most Canadians still want to tip around 15 per cent, according to a new survey.
'A decisive time': Mark Carney calls new role 'an honour,' dodges questions about running for office
In his first press conference on the job, newly appointed Liberal economic growth task force chair Mark Carney said it's 'an honour' to serve in his new role, but wouldn't say whether he plans to run for political office, or whether he'll recommend changing the controversial carbon tax.
Joly says Canada bars any Canadian-made arms from reaching Gaza
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Ottawa prohibits any Canadian-made weapons from reaching the Gaza Strip.
NDP MPs embrace distance from 'radioactive' Trudeau brand, as Singh convenes caucus in Montreal
Just days after demolishing his deal with Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is holding a three-day strategy session with his MPs in Montreal. There, his MPs are embracing their new-found distance from what one called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 'radioactive' brand.