Kitchener Council provides final approval for Boathouse redevelopment

On Monday evening, Kitchener Council provided final lease approval to allow the redevelopment of the Boathouse, a key venue in the heart of Victoria Park.

Walkinshaw Holdings, the selected proponent, will transform the Boathouse into an iconic venue for live music, food, and indoor and outdoor entertainment. They will place a focus on social responsibility, with paid local live music a minimum of two days a week, and locally sourced food and drink. Walkinshaw Holdings will also establish a local arts fund and form a Community Advisory Committee to ensure that Boathouse programming is inclusive and diverse.

“So many people have expressed excitement about the new Boathouse proposal as they look forward to sitting on a patio by the water, listening to live music on a warm summer evening,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “This venue in the heart of downtown has long been an important part of the Kitchener community and the local music scene, so I am thrilled to see it come back to life.”

Walkinshaw will soon begin work to transform the Boathouse to offer a waterfront experience unique to Waterloo Region. Renovations will include expansion of the outdoor patio, upgrading the interior, improving the main entrance and enhancing the views of Victoria Park Lake. Kitchener’s Heritage Committee approved the redevelopment plans in October 2022.

“The new and improved Boathouse will truly complement Victoria Park and Downtown Kitchener,” said Ward 9 Councillor Debbie Chapman. “I look forward to welcoming back residents and visitors from near and far.”

Walkinshaw Holdings is made up of a team of local entrepreneurs with decades of collective experience in the restaurant industry, entertainment, marketing, fundraising, business, and technology. The team includes Amber French, Kurtis McBride, Shawn Flanagan, Sean Goodchild, Taylor Jones, James Barr, and Corey Watterson.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2023 with doors opening to the public next summer.

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For more information, contact:
Shawn Falcao,
Manager, Corporate Communications and Marketing
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca