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-MAY-JUNE 2009
A PUBLICATION FOR THE RESIDENTS OF KITCHENER
Construction projects
scheduled to move forward
The joke goes that there are two seasons in
Canada: winter and construction. The City
of Kitchener has a number of construction
projects around the city scheduled for this
year.
Much of the work involves road and utility
reconstruction, as part of the city’s
accelerated infrastructure program that is
designed to speed up infrastructure repairs
and replacement. In all, planned works will
include road, sidewalk, bridge, and
underground utility reconstruction or
upgrades, two new roads constructed on
Block Line Road and Wabanaki Drive, and
works to improve watercourses and control
surrounding erosion problems.
Every effort will be made to ensure the
least amount of inconvenience to residents
affected by the work.
“Our project managers, consultants, field
staff, and contractors work very hard to
minimize any disruption to people’s lives,”
says Greg McTaggart, manager of
infrastructure asset planning for the City of
Kitchener. “Although the overall goal is to
maintain or improve the standard service
delivery for our residents, we know that
period of construction carries its own set of
challenges. We plan our projects in detail
well ahead of time, in order to address those
challenges.”
Construction activity is permitted, in
accordance with the City of Kitchener noise
bylaw, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7
p.m. Road reconstruction projects are
undertaken during the week from Monday
to Friday. Saturday work may be required
between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. in order to meet
the scheduled completion date. The work is
scheduled to allow contractors to complete
the work as soon as possible.
While staff and contractors will try to
follow the proposed schedule, delays may be
caused by contractors’ schedules, weather
conditions and unforeseeable difficulties
with equipment or materials.
In order to carry out this work, it will be
necessary to close some streets to through
traffic. Prior to any road closure, signs will
be posted on the approaching streets
advising motorists of the date and the
duration of the closure.
Access to all properties within the
construction area will be maintained as long
as possible. When it becomes necessary to
completely close off the street to residential
traffic, on-street parking permits will be
issued by the city, allowing residents to park
according to posted regulations on adjacent
side streets.
City staff will be co-ordinating detours
outside the project limits as required to
ensure the safe and efficient movement of
traffic during the project.
For complete listings of planned 2009
construction work, schedules, maps, and
related information, please go to
www.kitchener.ca and click on the "Road
Construction" link on the front page.
Some key areas around the city are under
construction, including improvements to the
Bridgeport bridge and Bridge Street.
These initiatives are undertaken by the
Region of Waterloo, with completion
scheduled by the end of November, but
there will be road closures and construction
for Kitchener residents should be aware of.
constructed at the intersection of Bridge and
Lancaster streets. The bridge across the
Grand River will maintain one lane of traffic
in each direction as well as providing a
sidewalk, as work continues until November.
The detour is in place while the Bridgeport
bridge is rehabilitated.
Traffic diversion to the temporary
modular bridge: Traffic will be maintained
on Bridge Street across the Bridgeport
Bridge and redirected along Lancaster Street
to use Shirk Place/Woolwich Street for
northbound Bridge Street traffic.
Other detours are in place for southbound
Bridge Street traffic to use University
Avenue to Hwy #85 access to Bridgeport
Road.
A roundabout will be constructed at the
intersection of Bridge and Lancaster streets,
and Bridge Street from Lancaster to
Woolwich Street will be resurfaced.
Also, Lancaster Street from General Drive
to Bridge Street will be resurfaced and
potential sidewalk installed along the south
side.
Watermains will be replaced on Bridge
Street from Bloomingdale Road to north of
Tyson Drive.
More information about the road closures
and detours can be found at
www.kitchener.ca.
Region-led construction continues
Queen Street
The reconstruction of Queen Street, from
Courtland Avenue to Highland Road, is
scheduled for two stages.
The first stage involves work currently
underway from Courtland to Mill, while the
second stage, Mill to Highland, is scheduled
to start mid-July, and is scheduled to wrap
up in October.
Bridgeport
Bridgeport Bridge and Bridge Street
improvements include the following areas of
construction:
623 Lancaster St. redevelopment: the
redevelopment of this property is required
to facilitate the overall regional construction
project.
Temporary modular bridge
installation: A temporary modular bridge
across the Grand River at Bridge Street was
built in March and early April to divert
traffic as the original Bridgeport bridge is
rehabilitated and a roundabout is
New acquisition
JUTE BALER -- This new acquisition from Canada Cordage is the latest installment of
the City of Kitchener's Industrial Artifacts project at the original site of the Doon
Twines Mill Complex at 1252 Doon Village Road. Used to manufacture jute yarn
and rope, this cast iron processing machine stood in the Canada Cordage plant at
Ottawa and Charles streets. When the company closed in 2007, it was donated to
the city. The machine was made by Douglas Fraser & Sons, Arbroath, Scotland, and
exported to Canada. To prepare the raw material for production, bales of jute from
India were fed into the machine along a tray extension. The large central rollers
would break down the compact bale to begin the process of shredding the fibre.
The dedication ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 14 at 2 p.m. at 1252
Doon Village Road. The public is welcome to attend.
Downtown businesses remain
open during reconstruction
King Street reconstruction crews will be
on site this summer, transforming the
streetscape into a contemporary gathering
place for pedestrians in the city’s core —
but it will be business as usual for downtown
businesses through the duration of the
project.
The city and its partners — including the
Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement
Association (formerly the Kitchener
Downtown Business Association) — will
make every effort to minimize the
construction impacts on downtown
businesses.
Part of that will involve the construction
crews working in stages — one block at a
time, one side of the street at a time, with a
get-in-and-get-out approach.
Construction crews will do their best to
limit activity in front of businesses so that
pedestrian access to businesse can be
maintained.
That means people will still be able to do
everything they normally do downtown —
whether it’s banking, shopping or dining at
the many restaurants, despite the
surrounding construction work.
City considers future of surplus lands
Kitchener residents will play a significant role in the
process to determine whether city councillors should
declare five city-owned parcels of land as surplus.
The city recently held a two-week public consultation to
gather the community’s opinion on whether council should
declare any of the recommended properties as surplus, as
well as what the corresponding conditions would be for
doing so.
There is still opportunity to comment online at
www.kitchener.ca until May 4.
In addition to the general public, adjacent landowners, the
city’s environmental advisory committee and other agencies
will be specifically invited to provide input and/or attend
the public information sessions.
The locations of the five parcels of land that have been
identified as potentially being surplus are:
West side of McLennan Park Gate (0.43 hectares)
East side of McLennan Park Gate (0.31 ha)
Stirling Avenue/Homer Watson Boulevard (1.37 ha)
Kiwanis Park: up to 9.6 ha of the 49-ha property
Kehl Street (0.07 ha)
Declaring any or all of these five parcels of lands as surplus
would promote community sustainability, by providing onetime revenue for reinvestment into community priorities,
and promoting development that supports the city’s growth
management strategy and the overall principles of a healthy
community – social vitality, economic prosperity and
environmental viability.
The parcels of land would only be sold under strict
conditions aimed at contributing to the achievement of the
city’s overall environmental objectives. Revenue from the
THE NEW ECONOMY
sale would be directly reinvested in community benefits.
“We would be extremely selective when it comes to
deciding who we would sell these land parcels to,” assured
Jeff Willmer, the city’s interim director of development and
technical services. “All prospective buyers would have to
prove their plans for the properties coincide with our own
values and support the components we’ve identified as
integral for a healthy community.”
The recommendation is a direct result of city council’s
wishes last fall, when they requested staff prepare a
prioritized list of city-owned lands for consideration as
surplus to the city’s needs. Staff gave high priority to lands
where the sale and development of the property will achieve
one or more significant community benefits, including:
Allowing for quality development in existing
communities by regulating high-quality urban design and/or
green-building certification requirements (e.g. LEED)
through conditions of sale that may be put in place by the
city to ensure that such community benefits are achieved;
Generating revenue for reinvestment in public services;
proceeds from the sale can be invested into funds such as the
Asset Management Reserve Fund, Park Trust Fund, or Local
Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) as catalyst funding for
transformational projects having a community
environmental benefit, etc;
Encouraging the clean-up of contaminated sites,
thereby reducing risk to public health and groundwater
quality;
Dissolving the ongoing obligation of the city to
maintain the land, reducing operating costs to the city;
Make use of existing infrastructure and reduce the need
to expand the community outwards where new operating
STORMWATER 101
PUBLIC MEETING
“We hope the community will come
downtown during this project, witness the
refreshing of the core and shop with our
downtown retailers,” said Mark Garner,
executive director of the DKBIA. “It’s a
great opportunity to see the transformation
of the core firsthand — as well as support
the local economy.”
When it’s complete, the new King Street
streetscape will create a high-quality,
pedestrian-friendly design that is vibrant and
aesthetically attractive.
The finished product will include wider
sidewalks and flexible parking that allow for
special events, outdoor cafes, restaurant
seating and retail in the warmer months.
The design will also maximize on-street
parking opportunities in the winter; improve
lighting for pedestrians, as well as feature
environmental items such as additional
street trees and sustainable planters, new
bicycle racks and improved transit stops and
shelters.
Streetscape reconstruction is expected to
start this spring and be completed by 2010.
For more information about the project,
please visit www.downtownkitchener.ca
Council and
committee meetings
open to the public
Both Kitchener city council meetings and standing
committee meetings are held in council chambers
at Kitchener City Hall. Upcoming council and
standing committee meetings include:
May 11 -- Standing committee
May 19 -- Council
June 1 -- Standing committee
June 15 -- Audit committee, council
June 22 -- Standing committee
June 29 -- Council
Standing committees of Kitchener city council
include: finance and corporate services
committee; community services committee, and
development and technical services committee.
and maintenance costs would otherwise be incurred;
Contribute to urban revitalization by adding residential
population to support local shops and/or services within
walking distance.
Generate property tax revenue
“A number of great things could come from the revenue
we collect on the sale of these lands,” Willmer added.
“Environmental initiatives; a reduction in operations costs
the city incurs to maintain these sites…and the list goes on.
This is an opportunity that doesn’t come up every day; the
city should make the most of it.”
PATRICK CHAN
McLennan Park enters An interview with
How you can help
Honouring the
next phase of
Canada’s number one
protect our water
traditional, while
development
singles skater
embracing the future
resources
page 3
page 6-7
page 8
page 12
T
Message from the mayor
Page 2 YOUR KITCHENER May-June 2009
hroughout this past
winter I heard stories
about residents
actively helping each
other to manage the snow by
shovelling sidewalks and
driveways for neighbours, and
withstand the freezing
temperatures by lending a hand
at local Out of the Cold
program locations.
With spring finally here and
summer just around the corner,
are getting out more.
Mayor Carl Zehr people
Warmer weather makes things a
bit easier for all of us, most
particularly those in our community who have been hardest
hit by the difficult economic times we are experiencing.
It is true that the current economic challenges have
touched our community. Unfortunately, some have lost jobs
while others are forced to cut back on their spending, doing
without some things they might have taken for granted a
couple of years ago. Still others are choosing to live more
frugally by curbing their spending habits in case they should
find themselves without work.
While we are periodically seeing small glimmers of hope in
the global and national economic outlook, we do not know
how long the turnaround might take to trickle down to the
local level.
Certainly, places like the recently opened Community
Action Centre and the long established Working Centre are
helping many of our residents to find and keep employment
whenever possible. People are retraining and choosing new
fields of study, which will in time benefit our community.
I see hope for Kitchener and our entire region and I know
we can count on one another to make it through today’s
challenges.
We count on our local residents and businesses to continue
their volunteer support and philanthropic contributions. Your
support of those charitable and not-for-profit organizations,
which supplement our municipal services, remains critical.
During difficult economic times, individuals and families
rely more heavily on municipal services than at any other
time. The social programs we provide can make the biggest
difference to our citizens and play an essential role in the
success of our community.
There are things each of us can do, like planting a few
vegetables in a garden plot or flower bed and teaching
children about the wonders of nature.
We can make the most of what we have, just as we did in
simpler times. Similarly, you will find many current
environmental initiatives can also have cost savings.
In the coming months there are many things to do in
Kitchener which have little or no cost.
The many parks and hundreds of kilometres of trails,
playgrounds, library programs, neighbourhood gettogethers, and the free festivals and family events are a few
examples of low cost entertainment available in our city.
We are all in this together, so let’s continue to look out for
one another.
You can reach me at 519-741-2300 or by email at
[email protected].
Councillor
John Smola
Councillor
Berry Vrbanovic
Councillor
John Gazzola
Bridgeport-Centre
Ward (1)
Chicopee-Grand
River Ward (2)
Fairview-Gateway
Ward (3)
June is Recreation
and Parks Month
Bridgeport-Centre Ward
is a beautiful area
offering many indoor and outdoor spaces and activities
for all ages to enjoy.
Joining a sports team or exercise class at a community
centre will benefit your cardiovascular health, assist in
maintaining a healthy weight, improve your mental health
and relieve stress.
To take advantage of the outdoors, why not explore the
parks and trails in your neighbourhood, or tune up your
bicycle this spring and go exploring. Begin making
recreation part of your everyday life today.
Salute to Seniors
Do you know an outstanding senior worthy of
recognition for their contributions to our community?
These are adults 50 years of age or older who may
volunteer their time, begin new community groups when
they see a need, and in general show their leadership by
serving others.
Nominations must be received no later than Monday,
May 11. Honourees will be invited to attend the event,
which will take place at the City Hall Rotunda on June 18
at 7 p.m.
For nomination forms, eligibility or ticket information
contact Carolyn Cormier at 519-741-2507 or
[email protected]. Forms may be found online at www.kitchener.ca/award_prog/distinction.html.
Congratulations to those of you who are nominated this
year! Your contributions to the betterment of our
community as positive role models are much appreciated.
If you would like to contact me regarding anything
happening in your ward, I can be reached via e-mail at
[email protected] or at 519-741-2793.
Tapestry 2009
During the month of
June our city is alive with
music, exhibitions,theatre
and storytelling from our
local and global communities as we celebrate Tapestry.The
line-up of festivities wraps up with the 42nd annual K-W
Multicultural Festival on Saturday, June 20 and Sunday,
June 21 in Victoria Park. This is the one time in the year
you can experience music, dancing, and food from more
than 40 different ethnic groups, all in one place.
For a list of all of the Tapestry 2009 events, visit our
website www.kitchener.ca keyword search “tapestry.”
Road work update
As part of the 2009 Road & Surface Program, new
sidewalks will be installed on the south side of Heritage
Drive from Ottawa Street North to Ebydale Drive.
Trafalgar Avenue, from Kenneth Ave to Franklin Street
North, and Noel Crescent will be pulverized and
resurfaced during this year’s construction season.There
are also a number of shovel-ready projects for 2009 that
are awaiting funding announcements from the federal and
provincial governments. Up-to-date information on road
construction projects can be found on the main page of
our website.
Annual Mayors’ Dinner honourees
This past April community volunteers Donna and John
Weber were the honoured guests at the Annual Mayors’
Dinner in support of the Working Centre and St. John’s
Kitchen. Donna and John are long time Chicopee-Grand
River Ward residents and family business owners.
Together with their family, they have had a lifelong
commitment to creating a stronger community through
their dedication to sports as exemplified over the years
through their encouragement of local minor sports, their
work with local sports associations, and their roles in the
organization of sports tournaments. Congratulations to
the both of them for this deserved recognition!
For more information on anything happening in
Chicopee-Grand River, I can be reached via email at
Economic stimulus and
municipal spending
By now it is apparent to
everyone that the world
economy is in the midst of a
serious recession. In my 40
years of involvement with local government I have seen
similar conditions many times over. In the past, we have
dealt with these occurrences by means of wage freezes,
reductions in new staff, cutbacks to operating
expenditures and adjustments to the priority of capital
projects. This, however, is not currently the case.
Recently, I was surprised to see the list of city employees
earning more than $100,000 annually—a list that has
grown from two to 113 in about seven years.
The City of Kitchener has numerous capital projects in
progress, including the Consolidated Maintenance
Facility, a $9 million facelift to King Street; two parking
garages, a renovated and enlarged main library, and
another parking garage in the Center Block. These
projects will cost in excess of $150 million, in addition to
our annual capital budget which already includes a
considerable amount for additional infrastructure “catchup spending.”
Recently, the senior governments announced an
economic stimulus package that will make large amounts
of funding available to municipalities. The city has applied
for capital grants totalling $60 million. Currently, the
eligibility criteria and process are not finalized, but it is
expected that if the city’s application is successful, $20
million would be paid by each the federal and provincial
governments, with the remaining $20 million coming
from local taxpayers. Although senior governments will
go into deficit to provide this funding, municipalities must
work within balanced budgets. This requires additional
borrowing, followed by increased taxes to pay for that
borrowing, ultimately coming from taxpayers’ pockets.
We need to look seriously at other alternatives to help us
out of these tough economic times. I welcome your
comments relating to this topic. Please do not hesitate to
contact me concerning this issue and others that affect
you daily.
I can be reached at 519-741-2790 (city hall), 519-7440807 (home), 519-498-2389 (cell), 519-741-2385 (TTY)
or at [email protected]; [email protected]
Councillor
Kelly Galloway
Councillor
Geoff Lorentz
Councillor
Christina Weylie
Kitchener South
Ward (4)
Forest-Rockway
Ward (5)
West-Victoria Park
Ward (6)
Huron Road
Improvement Project
Construction of Huron
Road from Strasburg Road
to Fisher-Hallman Road is
scheduled to begin in October. MTE Consultants will be
proposing a preferred design based on the evaluation
criteria and the public comments received around the
time of the first public meeting in fall 2008. The study
findings and preferred design for the road improvements
will be presented at the next public meeting, where
comments will again be taken into consideration.
Graffiti Busters
Around this time of the year, an increase of graffiti is
often noticed in our neighbourhoods. The City of
Kitchener Graffiti Busters Program includes removal and
enforcement, and works in conjunction with local police
to help reduce the graffiti vandalism in our city. The faster
graffiti is removed, the less likely the site may be tagged
with graffiti in the future.
If you witness this vandalism in progress, please report
the crime to 911 immediately. If you see graffiti in the
city you can call the Graffiti Busters hotline at 519-7412320, or complete the online form at www.kitchener.ca
keyword search “graffiti”.
Festival of Neighbourhoods 2009
Start thinking about planning a spring or summer event
for your neighbourhood. Get to know your neighbours by
organizing a BBQ, picnic, fundraiser, street party or
community clean-up.
Register your event in this year’s Festival of
Neighbourhoods celebration and your group will be
entered into a random draw for a $10,000 grant from the
City of Kitchener for your community to use for its
benefit. For more information on submitting your
activity, visit www.kitchener.ca keyword search
“neighbourhoods” or call 519-741-2227.
happening in our ward, I can be reached via email at
Kitchener in Bloom
Kitchener in Bloom
highlights and celebrates
the beautification of
residential and business
properties, promotes civic pride in our city, and provides
environmental awareness.
Continuing this year, the new nomination process for the
residential front yard award program minimizes the
competitiveness of the program and allows the Kitchener
in Bloom Committee to recognize more property owners
for their unique gardens, design features and
environmentally friendly properties. Canada Post letter
carriers can nominate more than one property on their
route, and residents are also encouraged to submit
nominations for deserving yards - including your own!
Please take the time to nominate these deserving
residents and businesses who contribute to the visual
quality of our community through the beauty of their
properties. Nominations are accepted until Friday, July 10
and forms can be found online at www.kitchener.ca or by
calling 519-741-2227.
New Consolidated Maintenance Facility
City staff and project architects are currently working
towards unveiling the final design, development and
operation of the Consolidated Maintenance Facility
(CMF). The final block diagram of the new facility is
expected to be unveiled later this spring. More details on
the vision and design of our future operations facility can
be found on the main page of our website.
Kitchener’s own golf courses
Rockway and Doon Valley golf courses are officially open
for the spring and summer golf season. Take advantage of
these affordable, mature courses, located close to home,
and owned and operated by the City of Kitchener. To view
rates or book your tee-off time, contact either Doon
Valley at 519-741-2710 or Rockway at 519-741-2583, or
visit www.kitchenergolf.ca
Questions? Contact me! I’m here to help you! By phone
at 519-741-2798 or by email at [email protected].
There are a few
reconstruction projects in
Ward 6 that are scheduled
for 2009 that you should be
aware of. The projects
listed below include the
replacement of the sanitary and storm sewers,
watermains, roadways, curbs and gutters, sidewalks and
municipal service connections to the street property line.
For additional information, design details, and detours
visit the City of Kitchener website, www.kitchener.ca, or
contact the appropriate project manager with
construction-related issues.
Streets to be reconstructed
Cedar Street will be under construction between St.
George and Charles streets starting on or about June 1
and ending on or about October 8. Contact the
construction project manager, Eric Saunderson, at 519741-2304.
Reconstruction of David/Dill/Schneider streets will
begin on or about May 4. The construction project
manager, John Stevenson, is available at 519-741-2694.
The Queen Street South reconstruction is a shared
project with the Region of Waterloo which will be
completed in two stages. During both stages, Queen
Street will be closed: the first stage extends from
Courtland Avenue to Mill Street and the second from Mill
Street to Highland Road. For information or construction
issues please contact the project manager, Michael
Halloran, at the Region of Waterloo via email at
[email protected] or at 519-575-4529. This
work is expected to be completed by October.
Currently, Pine and Mary streets are undergoing road
and sewer reconstruction. The construction project
manager, John Stevenson, may be reached at 519-7412694 to assist you with your construction-related issues.
The estimated completion date is October 16.
The first phase of the King Street reconstruction has
begun between Gaukel and Queen Streets. Contact the
construction project manager, Eric Saunderson, at 519741-2304.
happening in our ward, I may be reached via e-mail at
Kitchener’s new economy
The city is facing an exciting new future.
A future plugged into vision, health
sciences, technology and education.
Holding proudly to its strong
manufacturing base, Kitchener historically
has relied on the innovation and imagination
of its industries to drive its economy
forward. That has not changed.
However, thanks to the city’s economic
development strategy and the economic
development investment fund (EDIF),
success in other sectors is now emerging.
Manufacturing
The city continues to value and support its
traditional manufacturing sector, but also
realizes it needs to re-invent its economy, as
it has in the past century, in order to survive
downturns in any one sector.
Kitchener’s new economy is not about
turning away from the city’s traditional
manufacturing sector.
It’s about supporting it.
By modernizing and diversifying its
economic base, the city is adding a new
dimension to the local economy that will
create an environment where the private
sector can grow, thrive and create new jobs
and which will help manufacturers who are
looking to make the shift towards the
opportunities of tomorrow.
As a result of the development of the
university campuses, there are currently
938 new students going to school in the
downtown core.
Biotechnology and health
sciences
The arrival of the UW Health Sciences
Campus in downtown Kitchener has been
a catalyst for a number of spin-offs for the
new economy. This includes research and
development by the faculty to encourage
small industry start-ups, and attracting
domestic and international biotechnology
and life science companies who want to
establish a presence close to the facility.
Not only will the satellite medical school
have a long-term impact upon our
community’s ability to recruit and retain
physicians, but in the short term, it will
significantly enhance the range of health
care services available to our area.
This focus and vision is changing the
employment base of the city over time,
and shifting its economy. A new
manufacturing industry is emerging.
Manufacturers’ Innovation
Network (MIN)
A perfect example of the marriage between
Kitchener’s new economy and our
traditional manufacturers is the creation of
the Manufacturers’ Innovation Network –
MIN. With local manufacturers looking for
opportunities to collaborate and network,
the city and downtown Kitchener’s IGLOO
Software partnered to create a way to bring
them together online.
Today, MIN offers local manufacturers a
free, online network that improves
collaboration and knowledge sharing and
promotes innovation.
Economic development
investment fund (EDIF)
In 2004, the City of Kitchener decided it
needed to support our economy with new
employment lands, and redevelop the
downtown by stimulating new and emerging
economic clusters.
To achieve its vision, the city created a oneof-a-kind $110 million economic
development investment fund (EDIF).
Strategic investments from the fund began
paying dividends much faster than anyone
first anticipated. Jobs and private sector
investment and confidence are emerging
within three new clusters: including
A shif t is under way
Downtown Health Sciences
Campus and University of
Waterloo School of Pharmacy
The University of Waterloo’s new School
of Pharmacy is the anchor for the UW
Downtown Kitchener Health Sciences
Campus, one of North America’s most
innovative and robust new teaching and
health care facilities, and only the second to
be built in Canada in 60 years. The school
will host state-of-the-art research in various
health-related disciplines, including the use
of genomics and bioinformatics in the design
of prescription drugs in the future.The
building houses lecture halls, a
pharmaceutics laboratory, a professional
practice laboratory, faculty and staff offices,
McMaster School of
Medicine & Centre for Family
Medicine
With the
School of
Pharmacy
complete,
construction has
begun on the
second phase of
the Health
Sciences campus
which will house
the Centre for
Family Medicine
and Integrated
Primary Care
clinic, an
optometry clinic
and the Centre
for Contact Lens
Research, slated
for completion
in 2009. The
campus will also be home to one of only a
handful of international pharmacy graduate
programs in the country.
Anticipated benefits of the campus include
a strengthened position for the region as a
biotechnology centre, an estimated $30million annual injection into the local
economy through student spending;
improved health services and employment
opportunities for local residents, spin-off
businesses and significant tax revenue. Upon
its completion, the school will bring 1,200
students, staff and faculty to the downtown
each day.
Human Pharmacodynamic
Research Laboratory
A leading German-based company is set to
begin research trials at a laboratory located
directly next door to Kitchener city hall, in a
fully renovated redevelopment that includes
Shoppers Drug Mart on the main floor.
This company will be a stone’s throw away
from the School of Pharmacy, one of the
prime reasons the company chose Waterloo
Region for its first North American sister
company.
With more than 30 years of experience in
the field, Human Pharmacodynamic
Research (HPR) studies the biochemical and
physiological effects of pain medication on
the human brain. The research is led by
Klaus Schaffler, CEO at HPR Canada Ltd.
and a research professor at the University of
Waterloo School of Pharmacy.
Lang Tannery
education and knowledge creation,
biotechnology, including health sciences; and
arts and culture, of which digital media is a
component.
That strategic focus on an education and
knowledge creation cluster, on digital media,
and on biotechnology and health sciences is
changing the face of Kitchener’s economy.
Education and knowledge
creation
The birth of the cluster of education and
knowledge creation in downtown Kitchener
occurred when the Waterloo District
Catholic School Board decided to move its
headquarters to the former St. Mary’s high
school in downtown Kitchener.
Soon after, Wilfrid Laurier University
decided to move its Lyle S. Hallman School
of Social Work into the historic, former St.
Jerome’s College building. The city
contributed $6.5 million from its EDIF fund
to renovate the building.
The University of Waterloo has also created
a health sciences campus in downtown
Kitchener, to which the city contributed $30
million.
a student lounge and more. Its crowning
glory is a stunning glass curtain of walls
featuring images of medicinal plants, and
signalling the school’s intent to celebrate the
history and tradition of pharmacy at a
cutting-edge, urban site.
Another major downtown project that is
the direct result of the city’s $30 million
EDIF investment in the Downtown
Kitchener Health Sciences Campus is a
major reconstruction and renovation project
which will breathe new life into the historic
Lang Tannery.
Cadan Inc., a Toronto development
company, is busy transforming the former
Lang Tanning building into what some have
predicted will become one of the most
creative hot spots in Canada.
Located directly across the street from the
new health sciences campus, The Tannery
District will become a mix of corporate and
social space that will include space for
artisans, new restaurants and retail uses,
landscaped courtyards and office space that
caters to the emerging technologies
currently growing in the downtown.
Digital media and technology
Digital media connects visual arts with
technology. A digital media cluster is in the
works, bolstered by a recent federal grant of
$5 million to the city and a consortium of
private companies to establish a digital
media convergence centre in downtown
Kitchener; the centre will be linked with the
Stratford Institute.
Digital Media Convergence
Centre
A $5.35 million grant by the federal
Centre of Excellence for Commercialization
and Research Program will be used to create
a Digital Media Convergence Centre, where
business people, researchers, students,
artists and entrepreneurs can meet to
generate new digital media products,
applications and businesses.
The City of Kitchener contributed
$500,000, and a private sector contribution
of $20 million for the Kitchener site alone,
plus the development of a $50 million
venture capital fund, will make the centre
one component of the Centre for Advancing
Canadian Digital Media project.
Christie Digital
One longstanding component of the city’s
growing digital media cluster is Christie
Digital. Christie has a long history in
Kitchener, celebrating its 79th anniversary as
a leader in visual solutions for businesses,
entertainment companies, and industries
around the world.
The company has a global reputation as the
world’s single source manufacturer of a
variety of display technologies.
Christie has installed more than 75,000
projection solutions worldwide, most visibly
at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies
in 2008, on CNN, and at the NASDAQ
Stock Exchange. Pixar Animation Studios,
the Italian Army and Italian Railways, Japan’s
National Institute for Fusion Science and
Paramount Parks’ Star Trek Borg Invasion
4D all use Christie Digital technology.
Desire2Learn
Desire2Learn is another of a number of
global leaders in digital media that call
Kitchener their home. Together these
companies form the basis of what could
become an internationally important
economic cluster in one of the world’s
fastest growing industries.
Founded in 1999, Desire2Learn is a worldleading provider of enterprise eLearning
systems that enable organizations to create
teaching and learning environments that
reflect their vision, values, goals, and
branding. Their products support more than
four million learners worldwide including
schools, higher education, as well as
associations, government, and other leading
organizations.
Over the course of the next two years, the
City of Kitchener will be examining how
Waterloo Region can better attract the
talented people who will work in the new
economy. Current research suggests that
amenities such as the Kitchener Market, KW
Art Gallery, Iron Horse Trail and a vibrant
King Street are critical to these highly
skilled, highly mobile professionals when
choosing the city they want to live in.
Volunteering: for the fun of it
As a teenager in Saskatoon, Marla Pender joined a group
of peer helpers in high school. The interaction with adults
and the work she did had such an impact on her that she
decided she wanted to work with youth for a living.
“My whole life, I always wanted to work with youth,”
says Pender, one of the City of Kitchener’s youth coordinators. “Those leaders with whom I was involved in
Saskatchewan made such a positive impact on my life that
I decided I wanted to be them, to impact other peoples’
lives.”
And so it is appropriate that Pender works with youth all
day through her job, and then volunteers her time with
youth after hours every month. She volunteers with a
program run by parents of youth who have a disability, on
Friday evenings once a month.
The program, held at KidsAbility in Waterloo, offers
three stations for the youth to participate in: a gym, for
sports activities; the kitchen, for cooking and baking, and
a third for crafts and games. Pender supports the youth at
whichever station she’s at.
“I didn’t have a lot of experience with youth who have a
disability, but the first night, when I came home, my face
hurt because I was smiling so much. It was so much fun,”
she says. “There aren’t a lot of programs like this one for
youth who have a disability. It’s a popular program, and
they have a waiting list.”
Pender, who has worked for the city for three years,
obviously loves her job, and her passion for her work
influences her volunteering. She also volunteered at the
Girls’ Night Out program at Stanley Park Community
Centre, designed to engage 11-14-year-old girls.
“That’s a great age to be a girl, the excitement, the
energy,” she says with a laugh. “It totally brought me back
to when I was that age. I had so much fun.”
She also volunteered, while she was a student at Wilfrid
Laurier University studying for a master’s degree in
community psychology, with the Waterloo Region sex
trade worker initiative. She provided support, helped the
workers connect with resources and do their laundry in a
weekly drop-in setting.
“Whatever I commit to, I want to commit to it 100 per
cent,” Pender says, adding it is her work with youth that
Marla Pender
In Our
Midst
motivates her. “I do it because I love it. Teenagers aren’t
hard to relate to; they want to be with you if they see that
you want to be there. Every little thing you do makes
them happy. They really brighten my day.”
THE FACTS
Families, schools and communities play
important roles in resilient children’s lives. If
support is lacking in some area, it is important
that it is compensated for in another. Resilience,
the ability to bounce back from hard times even
in the harshest environments, is characterized by
common protective factors.
Love — Youth need at least one adult who
provides consistent love, care, support and
encouragement.
Activities — A chance to participate in lots of
activities to develop talents: extra-curricular
activities at school, or boys’ and girls’ clubs are
good examples.
Mentors — A chance to develop leadership.
Strong positive peer groups are important but
having mentors to help youth become adults
seems crucial.
Connections — To family and school, even
when adults perceive they are being pushed
away, are extremely important.
One out of every five children lacks a quality
relationship with an adult or mentor.
Research shows that 8.5 million people
don’t have positive and healthy relationships with
their parents or other caring adults in their lives.
The community can play an integral role in
the development of young people by fostering
strong relationships between children and
positive role models.
While more than 40 per cent of youth, ages
six to 17, wish they had more caring adults in
their lives to whom they could turn for help, only
eight per cent of youth the same age range have
a strong relationship with a mentor.
The presence of at least one caring person
provides support for healthy development and
learning.
Components of protective environments
include caring relationships with adults and
peers, high expectations for contributing or doing
well in school, and meaningful opportunities for
participation like being a member of a club or
caring for a sibling.
Now taking
registrations for
Festival of
Neighbourhoods
What do you like most about your neighbourhood? The
parks, schools, shopping or recreation, or its natural
features? The backyard parties, street yard sales, community
barbecues? The diversity of people, or the neighbours who
help each other out?
Festival of Neighbourhoods invites everyone to get to
know those who live around us, which builds stronger, safer
communities, and a higher quality of life.
Events, activities or projects can be anything from a
neighbourhood clean-up day to a regular Friday morning
coffee connection in the cul de sac, to a community
barbecue. As long as it is open to everyone in your
neighbourhood and brings people together, Festival of
Neighbourhoods wants to know what you did.
Whatever your neighbourhood does could win a $10,000
capital improvement grant from the City of Kitchener to
make it an even better place to live.
What can $10,000 do for your neighbourhood? One
winning neighbourhood developed a trail in the woodlot
near their residences. Another built a playground for
neighbourhood children. Yet another has purchased a
mobile skateboard park that is now widely used across the
city every spring and summer.
Kitchener has many community spirited residents with
strong bonds to their neighbours in their own local
communities. Most years, more than 100 people take
leadership to organize activities in their neighbourhoods
and, it is estimated that, in any given year, more than
20,000 people participate in registered events. Agencies like
the Waterloo Regional Police and Kitchener Housing have
commented on an increase in trust and sense of community
connectedness that is generated from FON initiatives.
Eligibility
Any event or activity or project can be considered eligible
if it brings people together face to face. The event or project
must be open to all people living in the geographic area that
the organizers define as their neighbourhood. Some effort
must be made to invite everyone. Churches and schools
exist in a geographic neighbourhood, members of which
may or may not be part of the congregation or school. Their
activity or event should be advertised to all those living
nearby, in order to connect to their neighbours in the area
and encourage neighbours to communicate face to face.
There are numerous awards to give further recognition to
the efforts taken each year in Kitchener neighbourhoods.
There are also special awards for neighbourhoods who
register activities that emphasize arts and culture, inclusion
of all; community safety and/or environmental stewardship.
All awards are given out at the annual finale event held at
City Hall – this year on Sunday, October 25.
Completed registration forms can be submitted to: Festival
of Neighbourhoods, 141 Whitney Place Kitchener N2G
2X8, or fax: 519-579-2046, or e-mailed to:
[email protected].
Deadline for registration is Oct. 5. For more information
and for a registration form, call 519-579-1870.
Who will carry the Olympic torch? Like to jam?
The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay will make its muchanticipated stop in Kitchener on Dec. 27, 2009, en route to
the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C.
But who will be carrying the flame?
That has yet to be determined, as thousands of residents
here and across the country apply to the online Olympic
torchbearer programs, presented by Coca-Cola and Royal
Bank of Canada (RBC), the chief presenters of the relay.
“Kitchener residents of all ages, who have made making a
positive difference in the community one of their top
priorities, should apply for this opportunity of a lifetime,”
said Don Chapman, the City of Kitchener’s manager of
special events.
The selection committee will be watching for applicants
who commit to live more active, environmentally friendly
lives or who are inspired to create a better Canada.
With the July 15 online application deadline fast
approaching, those who aspire to be part of the Olympic
movement are encouraged to get in the game – sooner
rather than later.
“Running with the Olympic torch in your hand and the
Olympic spirit in your heart is a feeling like no other,” said
John Furlong, chief executive officer, Vancouver Organizing
Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games (VANOC). “Torchbearers from all corners of Canada
and all walks of life will unite the country in the lead up to
the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. “Together, with
our partners Coca-Cola and RBC, we invite all Canadians to
participate — either through applying to be a torchbearer or
by joining the celebration as the relay crosses this great
country.”
RBC is inviting people to “Help Create a better Canada” by
simply sharing, online, their personal pledge to do
something small or large in their daily lives that will make
this country an even better place to live; while Coca-Cola is
encouraging Canadians to “Live Olympic on the Coke Side
of Life” by selecting torchbearers who demonstrate a
commitment to embodying the spirit of the Olympic Games
and taking positive action around living actively, protecting
the environment and creating a more positive reality.
Whether it’s a pledge to volunteer at the local rink, help
out at a food bank, drive less often to work or clean up a
nearby riverbank, or a demonstrated commitment to the
Olympic values of excellence, fairness, respect, personal
growth, leadership and peace, share your contributions to
community and country by applying to be a torchbearer.
Olympic Torchbearers will run in over 1,000 communities
and places of interest across the country.
The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay will begin its national
journey towards the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter
Games on Oct. 30.
More than 90 per cent of Canadians will be within an
hour’s drive and will be able to share in the great moments
of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.
Canadians interested in carrying the torch can apply at
www.rbc.com/carrythetorch and www.icoke.ca
Sign up for Summer Playground programs
In 2008, about 5,000 children participated in summer
playground programs across the city, with more than 45 to
choose from.
The program is six weeks long and provides low cost,
accessible, safe, fun and quality summer recreation in
community centres, parks and schools throughout the City
of Kitchener.
Summer Playground programs are offered to children ages
three to 12 years in three groups: pre-school (ages 3-5),
junior (ages 6-8) and adventure (ages 9-12).
Children benefit from being active, making new friends,
building social skills, and having fun with other kids in their
neighbourhood.
Activities include: games, songs, sports, science, crafts,
drama and much more.
A volunteer committee works closely with the playground
leaders to provide support and neighbourhood specific
recommendations.
One-week sessions cost $15-25 per week. Fee assistance is
also available.
Find more info on the City of Kitchener website
(www.kitchener.ca), in Leisure or at your local community
centre, or call the Summer Playground hotline at 519-7412871.
Try Unity Jam
Wanted: aspiring bands and performers for Unity Jam.
What’s Unity Jam?
The event features young, local artists of many different
genres, such as hip hop, rap, rock, metal, and punk.
It’s free. It’s been happening for six years already. It’s
happening this year on Saturday, Aug. 22, at Civic Square,
Kitchener City Hall, from 6-11 p.m.
Urban artists and the Doon Skatium Mobile Park will also
be onsite.
Unity Jam organizers are seeking young, local performers
from any and all musical genres including hip-hop, screamo,
country, rap, rock, metal, blues, R&B, DJing . . . anything
goes!
Performers must be between the ages of 14 and 25. Each
act chosen will receive an honourarium of $100. Deadline
to submit is May 8.
Submit demo and contact information to: youth coordinator, c/o Downtown Community Centre, 35 Weber
Street West, Kitchener, ON N2H 3Z1. For more
information, call 519-741-3400 x3588 or e-mail
[email protected]
KYAC Awards
National Youth Week is May 1-7 and celebrates youth and
their active participation in their community. National Youth
Week is a time to honour their involvement in drama,
sport, civic engagement, art, volunteerism and leadership
activities.
Kitchener Youth Action Council (KYAC) is a voluntary
committee of young individuals who support fellow youth
and ensure that young voices are heard throughout
Kitchener. They are responsible for a number of initiatives,
including youth awards and Unity Jam.
KYAC Youth Awards will be presented at the annual
awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 6 (7-8:30 p.m.) in
the Rotunda at Kitchener City Hall.
Awards will be presented to local youth, recognizing their
contributions in a number of categories. All nominees,
nominators, family and friends are invited to attend the
ceremony.
Building division extends hours for May through August
The City of Kitchener’s building division
wants to ensure homeowners have all the
tools they need when it comes to renovating
an existing dwelling.
That’s why city staff in the division are
extending their hours of service from 4 to
6:30 p.m. every Tuesday in May through
August, to give citizens who may not be able
to visit city hall during the day adequate
time to apply for and acquire the permits
they may need to undertake a home project
— such as decks, porches, swimming pools
and sheds.
“Spring and summer are the seasons many
people choose to do home improvement
projects, so it’s important that people have a
place to go if they have any questions around
the work they’re doing and whether or not
permits are needed,” said Mike Seiling, the
city’s director of building. “We are happy to
extend our hours every Tuesday from now
through August to accommodate people who
may have questions but can’t make it out
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.”
The first Tuesday the division’s hours will
be extended this year also falls in
International Building Safety Week, which
runs from May 3-9.
Organized by the Ontario Building Officials
Association, International Building Safety
Week aims to heighten the awareness around
and ensure public safety in the buildings
people live, work and play in.
“Many people tend to take building safety
for granted, rarely thinking about all of the
steps that must go into ensuring a building is
safe and secure for people to enter,” Seiling
said.
Locally, the role of the city’s building
division is to review plans, issue permits and
inspect construction to make certain
buildings are safe and accessible for all
people.
The division is comprised of two sections:
permits and inspections.
Permit staff answers questions on when
building permits are required for your
construction or renovation project, as well
as what information is to be included when
applying for a permit. Building staff also
review the drawings submitted for
compliance with the building code and any
other applicable laws.
The Ontario Building Code Act (BCA)
requires a building permit when a person
constructs or demolishes a building.
“The BCA is very clear on what type of
work requires a building permit, and part of
our job is to see that its legislation is upheld
in all new and existing buildings,” Seiling
said.
After the permit is issued, inspection staff
examines the various stages of construction
Ask before building a fence
to confirm compliance with the approved
drawings and the building code.
There are a number of different inspections
required for each project; they vary
depending on the type of construction.
Staff will advise the applicant what
inspections are required and how to notify
the building inspector at these stages of
construction.
All of this is done in a timely fashion; in
2008, the city boasted a 97 per cent success
rate in terms of issuing all permits within
their respective timelines.
As well, to continuously improve the level
of customer service that the building
division offers, its staff members issue an
annual written survey to customers in hopes
of gauging their level of satisfaction.
“We want to know whether or not we’re
providing our customers with the need-toknow information they seek, or whether
there is room for improvement,” Seiling said.
“That’s part of the reason we’ve opted to
extend our hours on Tuesdays throughout
the summer. We want to make sure we’re
meeting the needs of our customers.”
Seiling said there are many misconceptions
around the types of projects that require
building permits — as well as those that
don’t.
For example, while building a detached
shed that is 10 feet by 10 feet in size does
not require a building permit, building a
detached shed that is 12 feet by 10 feet does.
Also, many people don’t associate certain
household projects — such as adding a
woodstove or wood-burning fireplace or
finishing an unfinished basement — with the
need for a building permit.
Meanwhile, the violation of the city’s
building bylaw could result in substantial
fines.
The easiest way for people to understand
what projects warrant building permits,
Seiling said, is to refer to the city’s website,
as well as either call or visit the building
division’s offices at city hall.
“We are here to answer all of those
questions and more,” Seiling said. “If you’re
unsure whether a home project you’re
planning needs a permit, the best thing you
can do is inquire.
Doing so not only ensures you’re in
compliance with the city’s bylaws; it also
guarantees the work you’re doing won’t pose
a structural risk to you, your family and
friends.”
For more information on the city’s building
division and local building codes, please call
519-741-2433 or visit
www.kitchener.ca/building.htm
The Safety-Kleen public liaison committee
is currently looking for two Kitchener
residents who currently reside in the eastern
portion of the city to join the committee.
The public liaison committee is comprised
of members from Safety-Kleen, residents of
Breslau and Kitchener, representatives from
the Ontario Ministry of the Environment,
and staff and politicians from local
government.
The committee meets on a quarterly basis
to discuss items relating to the operations at
the re-refinery in Breslau that may be of
interest in the community, including
environmental issues and emergency response.
Safety-Kleen Canada operates Canada’s
largest used oil re-refinery in Breslau
recycling more than 150 million litres per
year of used lubricating oil and producing
high-quality finished lubricants.
If you are interested in joining the SafetyKleen public liaison committee, please
contact Michael Puersten by telephone at
519-648-2291, x5251, or by e-mail at
[email protected] to obtain
an application.
Applications will be reviewed by the
committee as a whole for acceptance.
Homebuyers’
seminar
Join staff from the city's
building division for their first
Residential Homebuyers'
Seminar.
May 6
7 to 8:30 p.m.,
Subscribers’ Lounge
The Aud
Get some helpful hints on a
variety of topics, including
home projects that require
building permits; methods to
conserve energy and related
costs; the benefits of natural
gas, what to watch for when
grading your yard, and fence
etiquette, and more.
Free admission. Light
refreshments will be available.
The Aud is located at 400 East
Ave., in Kitchener.
Safety-Kleen liaison committee
seeks east-side Kitchener residents
Thinking of building a fence on your
property this summer?
Make a phone call first, to the city’s
planning division. Don’t let poor planning
ruin your fence project or your summer in
the pool. Make sure you know as
much as possible about the city’s fence bylaw.
Firstly, it is important to know where your
lot line is located, as most property lines are
not located up to the sidewalk. Check your
survey.
The bottom line for any fence, whether
located on an interior or a corner lot, is
that it cannot obstruct visibility
of pedestrians or vehicles.
Height
Fence height is defined as the distance from
the grade where the fence posts are
embedded, to the top of the posts. A fence
in the front yard and exterior side yard
cannot be more than 0.91 metres (three
feet) high.
A fence in a rear or interior side
yard cannot be more than 2.44 metres high
(eight feet) and it can’t block access to a
parking space unless it has a gate at least
2.59 metres (8.5 feet) wide.
It is important to note that on a corner lot,
additional regulations apply.
You can build a fence to a maximum of
1.82 metres (six feet) high in an exterior
side yard if it’s set back at least 1.5 metres
(five feet) from an exterior side lot line and
outside any required corner or driveway
visibility triangle.
Pools
Another important section of the by-law
deals with fencing around pools.
Every fence or enclosure must be at
least 1.52 metres (five feet) in height above
grade.
If using chain link, the maximum size of
the opening of the chain link cannot
be more than 38 mm (1½ inches).
Essentially, every pool should be properly
fenced or enclosed to limit access to the
pool.
Building permits are required for a pool,
and with this permit, the fence height will
be reviewed. Call 519-741-2433 for
building permits for pools.
Hot tubs don’t need to be fenced as long as
they’re adequately secured by a cover and
locking device, and are always covered when
not in use.
Thinking about barbed wire? Barbed wire
is prohibited on residential properties. It is
only permitted in agricultural, commercial
or industrial zones, and certain regulations
apply. Please contact planning staff.
When in doubt, check it out by contacting
the planning division at city hall at 519741-2317.
Summer pool passes available
Feel like going for a swim, but you don’t want to pack everything into the car and
drive for hours to get to the beach? You’re in luck.
Summer pool passes are now on sale.
The passes are valid at all four City of Kitchener indoor pools and four outdoor
pools, including Kiwanis Park. They can be used between June 1 and Sept. 20.
Purchase your summer pool pass before May 31 and receive the early bird discounted
rate. Passes may be purchased at any City of Kitchener indoor pool. The early bird rate
(March 1-May 31) is $82 for adults, $60 for children and seniors, and $160 for a family.
For more information, see www.kitchener.ca or call your local pool.
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Stormwater 101: a primer
What is stormwater?
Stormwater is water that flows across the land
and is routed into drainage systems and ultimately
into our natural areas such as creeks, lakes and
wetlands. Stormwater is not limited to precipitation
but may also come from watering the lawn, washing
the car and many other sources.
As our landscape changes from undeveloped,
natural areas to cities with houses, businesses,
roads and parking lots, the amount of “permeable”
or “porous” area is being reduced and replaced
with hard surfaces that don’t absorb stormwater.
To avoid flooding and erosion, we need to put in
place measures and tools to manage the runoff in
the form of a stormwater management program.
Stormwater management is planning for and
controlling stormwater run-off from rain and melted
snow, to reduce downstream erosion, water quality
degradation and flooding. It also reduces the impact
of changes in land use on the aquatic environment
Water that goes in your sink or toilet is treated.
Stormwater is not treated; it is water from
precipitation, and water from your garden or
driveway that goes directly into our natural areas
such as creeks, lakes and wetlands.
Why is stormwater management important?
Graphic courtesy of www.fcgov.com
Stormwater problems can cause:
Flooding, debris and erosion;
Poor water quality;
Risk of spills;
Damage to aquatic habitat;
Risk of mud slides
Potential road collapses;
Dam failures;
Risk to public safety;
Property damage.
For more information, visit
www.kitchener.ca/stormwater or call
519-741-2406.
How is Kitchener doing? Report card findings
In 2001, Kitchener developed a city-wide
stormwater management policy that outlined a
strategy for dealing with stormwater
management, related to development in the city.
This policy specified the city would monitor its
streams to establish the effectiveness of the
policy on improving water quality, aquatic habitat
and stream stability. Annual audits were
recommended, along with a five-year report card
that allowed trends to become apparent.
The objective of this report is to give an overview
of the effectiveness of the policy in terms of the
physical, biological and chemical condition of the
receiving streams and identify gaps in
stormwater management practices within the
city.
The current situation
The city is acting to improve the status of its
streams through the citywide stormwater
management program by establishing priority
works that will most effectively improve the
functioning of receiving water bodies.
It is committed to improving water quality,
physical stability and aquatic ecosystem function
to enhance the local environment, and improve
residents’ health and enjoyment of Kitchener.
THE RESULTS
Water quality
Six out of seven water sampling stations had a
poor wet weather water quality rating.
Two out of seven had a good water quality
rating, one was fair, three were marginal and one
was poor.
Vegetation cover
Many of the streams in the city have less than
50 per cent vegetative cover resulting in a high
number of erosion areas.
Biological health
Aquatic health was also tested at various
sampling stations.
Thirteen out of19 aquatic areas tested had a
biological health rating as marginal or poor.
What will the city do in the next five years?
Over the next five years, the City of Kitchener will
continue its proactive approach to stormwater
management and environmental protection.
This will include continued monitoring and an
increased level of program implementation.
Some of the things the city is planning include:
• The rehabilitation of older stormwater ponds to
meet current standards;
• The construction of new ponds to increase the
coverage of stormwater treatment;
• The installation of new oil and grit separators;
• Ensure appropriate maintenance of
stormwater facilities;
• Installation of at source stormwater controls
such as infiltration systems where appropriate;
• The rehabilitation of urban streams;
• Continued monitoring and reporting of stream
health;
• A continuation of the Yellow Fish Road
program;
• Increased public education; and
• Other environmental protection and
enhancement projects.
D i d yo u k n ow ?
Garbage such as litter and cigarette butts
and contaminants such as motor oil and
pesticides are common causes of stormwater
pollution.
D i d yo u k n ow ?
Stormwater ponds (such as Victoria Park
Lake) don’t freeze like other bodies of water
because often water that flows into them is
warm and filled with salt and other debris.
That’s why there’s neither skating nor hockey
on these ponds in the winter.
D i d yo u k n ow ?
By dumping pesticides, animal waste and oil
down the stormwater drain, you are
potentially polluting drinking water, harming
fish and other wildlife, and contaminating
beaches.
Stormwater is often water that originates during precipitation events. Stormwater can
also come from watering the lawn, washing the car and many other sources. Stormwater
is not treated and therefore flows directly into natural bodies of water.
Stormwater 101: a primer
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO KEEP OUR STREAMS CLEAN
There are a number of things each one of us can do, to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff from pavements, roofs and
other impermeable surfaces, and to reduce the amount of pollution entering our stormwater system, including:
•
Sweep dirt from your sidewalks and driveways and put it in the garbage, instead of on the road;
•
Pick up pet waste regularly;
•
Reduce the use of salt for ice melting during the winter;
•
Ensure your downspouts drain onto your lawn or garden areas, not directly onto driveways, sidewalks or streets.
You can also ensure you:
DON’T dispose of hazardous products like motor oil, antifreeze,
etc., by pouring them, or any waste products, into the stormwater
system. Drop them off at our local waste management facility.
For more information regarding the disposal of hazardous waste
products, visit www.region.waterloo.on.ca
D i d yo u k n ow ?
If you see a yellow fish symbol painted near
storm drains in Kitchener, that’s because of
the Yellow Fish Road Program, which teaches
kids the impacts of pollutants entering urban
storm drains.
DO wash your car at a carwash,
rather than in your driveway, to
prevent soapy water and sediment
from entering our stormwater system.
D i d yo u k n ow ?
If you want more information about
stormwater, and how the City of Kitchener
manages its stormwater, visit
www.kitchener.ca/stormwater
or call 519-741-2406.
DON”T
DON”T sweep dirt
from your sidewalks
and driveways on
the road; instead
put it in the
garbage.
use fertilizers
and pesticides on your
lawn. These chemicals are
often carried away by
rainwater into our storm
drains and ultimately into
natural areas such as
creeks, lakes and
wetlands.
Tapestry events celebrate Kitchener’s diversity
Tapestry: Celebrations of Diversity is
Kitchener’s month-long festival of
music, dance, food, art, storytelling
and images from this area and from
around the world.
Now in its seventh year, Tapestry runs
June 5 to 21.Festivities culminate in
the celebrating of the 42nd anniversary
of the KW Multicultural Festival, the
keynote event in the series.
June 5-6: Our World Festival of
Music presents free music and
workshops at Civic Square, from 7 to
10 p.m. This year’s concerts feature
fado sensation, Tony Gouveia, and local
jazz-rock legends, Opus II. Free music
workshops at city hall rotunda will also
take place starting at 2 p.m. on June 6.
The Multicultural Cinema Club
(MCC) will also feature, as part of Our
World Festival of Music, two free
musical films, Mamma Mia and Young
at Heart, in city hall council chambers
at 2 and 4:30 p.m.
June 6: Fusion of Rhythm, from
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m at the Rotunda
in Kitchener City Hall. A colourful
display of South Indian classical dance
event and Sri Lankan instrumental
music. Performers are artists from the
Tamil Cultural Association of Waterloo
Region. Admission is free.
June 6: Tri-Pride, an outdoor family
festival organized by the Kitchener-
Tamil dancers
Waterloo LGBT communities, is held
on Roos Island, Victoria Park, from
noon until 7 p.m.
June 10: Citizenship Court, a special
citizenship ceremony in recognition of
the Celebration of Diversity, Kitchener
City Hall at 12:30 p.m.
June 13: Silk Road, a tantalizing
experience of food, merchandise, and
entertainment in Kitchener’s Market
District, runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
June 14: Neruda Productions’ Kites
of Joy Festival offers a chance to
experience the joy and freedom of
flying kites while celebrating as a
community with a colourful array of
entertainment, food and stories of the
tradition that this ancient art has all
over the world. The event runs from
noon until 7 p.m. at Victoria Park
www.nerudaproductions.com. The
Spotlight 2009
celebrates local
arts and culture
Connect with the artists in your community from Friday,
June 5 to Sunday, June 7, during Spotlight 2009, a weekend
of free activities and events that give the public a chance to
meet and engage directly with local artists and arts
organizations.
Produced by the Ontario Arts Council and the Province of
Ontario, Spotlight 2009 features artists in Kitchener,
Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford and Waterloo.
Last year, the communities participated in Spotlight, which
is a two-year pilot program in Cambridge, Guelph,
Kitchener, Stratford and Waterloo. The event introduced
6,414 people, including 1,287 children and youth, to the
arts in southwestern Ontario, encouraging them to discover
the creativity in their own communities and in themselves.
Participating local arts organizations, professional artists
and community-based arts groups represent a broad scope
of artistic disciplines and creative activities, including craft,
dance, literature, media arts, music, theatre, and the visual
and performance arts.
“The event was quite successful for both participants and
the ‘audience’,” said Gary Kirkham of Lost and Found
Theatre in Kitchener. “Some of the pieces took on a life of
their own as people responded to the performance. The
most successful part of the event was that the participants
got to break down the wall between performer and
audience.”
All activities are free, participatory, educational and fun.
Activities include behind the scenes tours, hands-on
workshops, artists talks and tours.Activities reach different
age groups, ranging from children to seniors.
Besides encouraging a broader appreciation and
understanding of the arts, the
event also introduces the
public to the creative process,
as well as engaging the
community and cultivating
pride in the local cultural
landscape.
The impetus for Spotlight
came from the Government of
Ontario’s Status of the Artist
legislation, which passed on
May 10, 2007, proclaiming
the first weekend of June as
“Celebrate the Artist
Weekend,” celebrating the
MAKING ART -- Julianna contributions that artists and
the arts make to communities.
Yau of Kitchener
participated in the pilot More information is available
event last year at Globe online at
www.spotlightfestival.ca
Studios.
MCC will also run a video booth
during this event.
June 16-21: MCC’s seventh film
festival, Iraq In Hollywood, features six
days of screenings, free, at Kitchener
City Hall council chambers at 7 p.m.
each night.
June 20-21: The 42nd K-W
Multicultural Festival brings the world
to our doorstep by hosting around
60,000 people over a two-day weekend
in Victoria Park. As the jewel in the
Tapestry crown, the festival
performances, international food
vendors and about 40 craft vendors and
local artisans.
Also at Victoria Park, on Roos Island,
will be National Aboriginal Day
celebrations, and Latitudes Storytelling
Festival, both free events.
Latitudes Storytelling Festival runs
from12:30 to 6 p.m. each day,
featuring story stages for adults and
children. Appearances by House of
Doc, Dan Yashinsky, Banjo Puppets,
Rukhsana Khan, Mariko Tamaki, New
Quarterly Magazine, and many more.
latitudesitudesfestival.com
June 21: National Aboriginal Day
celebrations feature traditional dance
and drum performances, children’s
activities, food and crafts, from noon to
7 p.m. Also runs June 20 as part of the
K-W Multicultural Festival.
42nd festival jewel
of Tapestry crown
For 42 years the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural
Festival has brought the world to our doorstep.
The festival, the flagship of Tapestry: Celebrations of
Diversity events, runs from noon until 10 p.m. on
Saturday, June 20, and noon ‘til 8 p.m. Sunday, June 21
at Victoria Park’s Clock Tower Common.
This year’s festival highlights include more than 25
different acts on the main stage. Celebrate with music
and dance from Greece, Ethiopia, the Sudan, Scotland,
Jamaica and more. More than 15 food vendors share the
flavours of Pakistan, China, Arabia, Greece, Africa and
other parts of the world.
Shop in the international marketplace, featuring more
than 40 international craft vendors and local artisans, or
browse at the exotic and unique items from around the
globe and from right here in our own backyard.
Established in 1967, the festival is hosted by the
Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre and its
member groups, who re-distribute the proceeds from
this weekend event to support numerous charitable
programs in our community and the on-going work of
the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre.
The festival shares Victoria Park on June 20 and 21
with Latitudes Storytelling Festival and National
Aboriginal Day celebrations, both on Roos Island.
For more information, contact Jennifer O’Connor,
festival co-ordinator, at 519-578-7570 or the KitchenerWaterloo Multicultural Centre at 745-2531, or check
the festival website at www.kwmc.on.ca/events
McLennan Park ready for second phase
McLennan Park is a 39-hectare (97-acre) site on the south
side of Ottawa Street South. The site is a former landfill
under Region of Waterloo ownership that began operations
in the 1950s and was closed in 1976.
Now undergoing an extensive redevelopment, the second
phase of developing the park includes a road and parking
areas, associated lighting, related stormwater management,
work on the entrance, signage, pedestrian trails,
basketball/multi-use courts, beach volleyball courts, an
accessible playground and site landscaping.
There will be a public meeting for McLennan Park on
Tuesday, May 5 in the gym at Chandler Mowat Community
Centre, 222 Chandler Drive, from 6 to 8 p.m.
At the public meeting, concept plans for phase two of the
park development will be presented for public input,
including the concept plan for the City of Kitchener’s newest
and largest accessible playground.
Construction for phase two is expected to begin in the fall
of 2009.
A consulting team of engineers and landscape architects has
been retained to design and implement the second phase of
the McLennan Park implementation plan.
This will include development and analysis of concepts in
line with the recommendations of the 2003 Master Plan,
preparation of detailed design drawings, public and user
group meetings, tender documents, contract administration
and post-construction follow-up.
For those unable to attend one of the workshops,
comments are also being accepted through the following
methods, after May 5:
• By phone at 519-741-2602;
• By email at [email protected];
• Online at www.kitchener.ca/mclennanpark;
• By mail at: McLennan Park Feedback, Park Operations,
82 Chandler Drive, Kitchener, ON N2E 1G6
The public consultation process will begin May 5 and will
run until May 26
by 5 p.m.
Bike park
Construction
on the bike park
located in
McLennan Park
begins this
spring.
The preliminary
bike park design
consists of four
dedicated
courses: a 4X track, a pump track, a free-ride course and a
dirt jump park.
The courses offer a wide variety of features that will appeal
to BMX and mountain bikers of all ages. Construction will
begin this spring and is expected to be completed July.
Saluting our seniors
The 2009 Mayor’s Advisory Council for Kitchener Seniors
(MACKS) wants to take its hat off to seniors, by celebrating
the life stories and achievements of older adults and seniors
who have contributed to our community.
The 2009 Salute to Seniors event recognizes seniors for the
examples they set as role models through active involvement
towards a healthy community. Nominations from the public
are being sought. Submissions should highlight ways in
which seniors lead the way for healthy aging or act as role
models for community involvement.
Eligibility
Candidates must be 50 years of age or older;
Individuals, pairs or groups/teams will be recognized;
The candidates must have contributed to the
betterment or enrichment of the Kitchener community
through their actions or initiatives;
The candidate(s) has been notified of this submission
and the nominator signed off that the candidate(s) is aware
of the nomination;
In an effort to recognize as many nominees as possible,
submissions from the 2008 Salute to Seniors are not eligible
for resubmission. Only one submission per person.
Honourees’ acceptance is on a first-come-first-serve basis,
due to limited seating. Submission deadline is Monday, May
11, to Salute to Seniors, c/o Rockway Centre, 1405 King
St. E, Kitchener ON N2G 2N9, by phone at 519-741-2510
or TTY: 519-741-2385, by fax at 519-741-2650, or e-mail at
[email protected]
Honourees will be invited to attend the Salute to Seniors
Underground parking lot to be built in Civic District
Possible funding partnerships with the Province of Ontario,
the Region of Waterloo and the Kitchener public library
(KPL) motivated the city councillors to recently endorse a
plan to build an $18.5-million underground parking
structure on Queen Street North, in the heart of the Civic
District.
“
There are extraordinary ideas in the
works for the Civic District . . . ,”
-- Rod Regier,
executive director of economic development,
City of Kitchener
The new parking structure, to be located under the KPL’s
future expansion area, will complement the future vision for
the Civic District — the area bordered by Queen, Ellen,
Frederick and Weber streets — as a centre of cultural and
educational life in the community — a concept that has been
supported by a number of community stakeholders.
“There are so many extraordinary ideas in the works for the
Civic District — initiatives that will round out the existing
selection of cultural and educational opportunities in the
area,” said Rod Regier, the city’s executive director of
economic development. “Having adequate parking to
support this vision is essential in ensuring its future success.”
Three separate developments in and around the Civic
District have created a demand for parking that cannot be
met within each individual development.
The expansion of the KPL will create the need for 112
parking spaces; the new provincial courthouse, to be
constructed at the corner of Frederick and Weber streets,
will require 200 staff parking spaces; and the expansion of
the region’s offices into the county courthouse building will
create a demand for an additional 100 spaces.
While some of the city’s surface parking lots in the area, as
well as nearby on-street parking will offer a combination of
both short-term and long-term monthly spaces for users of
these facilities, they are also heavily used with occupancy
reaching 85 to 100 per cent each weekday.
In addition, evening use by events at the nearby Centre in
the Square generate a demand that often fills all existing
spaces and spills into the adjacent residential neighbourhood.
“We have a number of parking challenges in and around the
downtown area, when it comes to accommodation,” said
John McBride, the city’s director of transportation planning.
“Building a new underground structure of this size will help
alleviate some of that pressure and provide drivers with a
central location to leave their vehicles when they visit the
downtown area.”
With the support of the city’s finance and corporate
services committee, city staff will now enter into letters of
understanding to financially support the project, with: the
province, in the amount of $7 million; the region, in the
amount of $4.5 million, and the KPL, in the amount of
$4.845 million, which will come out of the library’s existing
central library project budget.
Such support would provide a significant and sufficient
financial contribution, allowing the net revenues from the
facility’s user fees to pay for its operating costs, and the
majority of its development costs.
Construction of the parking garage is set to begin in 2010
and wrap up in 2012, in co-ordination with the library
expansion and the anticipated opening of the new provincial
courthouse.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT -- The City of Kitchener is
hoping to partner with the province and region to
build an underground parking garage at Kitchener
Public Library expansion site.
Outdoor fireplaces: Kitchener in Bloom nominations due July 10
the dos and don’ts
The City of Kitchener wants people to enjoy their
backyards. If relaxing outside includes using an outdoor
fireplace, that’s fine, but residents do need to be aware of
the city bylaw.
An outdoor fireplace can be operated between 7-11 p.m.
provided:
it does not create a nuisance. A nuisance, as approved
by city council, is defined as excessive smoke, smell,
airborne sparks or embers that are likely to disturb others.
it is located no less than five metres (16.4 feet) from
any building, structure, property line, tree, hedge, roadway,
overhead wires or other combustible article;
it is on a non-combustible surface that extends beyond
the fireplace equal to the height of the unit;
a portable extinguisher or operable hose is available;
an outdoor fireplace can be no larger than 1 metre (39
inches) in any direction;
the owner, who is 18 years or older, maintains constant
watch and control, and
Tree limbs, branches and bush trimmings are permitted to
be burned but not leaves or raked grasses.
Outdoor fire pits are also allowed with the above
conditions plus the fire must be fully contained within the
pit and can be no more than 24” wide with flames no higher
than 20”.
Outdoor fireplace refers to a manufactured noncombustible enclosed container designed to hold a small fire
for decorative purposes and the size of which is not larger
than one metre (3.2 feet) in any direction and may include,
but is not limited to, a chiminea.
Complaints should be reported to 519-741-2330.
For fire emergencies, call 911.
Do you know a front yard that has attractive gardens? Do
you have a neighbour with a green thumb?
Each year the City of Kitchener, along with community
partners, encourages residents and businesses to take pride
in Kitchener and beautify our community through the
Kitchener in Bloom program.
Nominated properties will receive a certificate. Forms are
available at www.kitchener.ca.
Awards include:
The Residential Front Yard Award program, which
bestows 10 front yards per ward with a special Bloom
Award;
The Environmental Award recognizes those who
practice environmental solutions while maintaining beautiful
front yards and gardens;
Business Award Program honours businesses that make
a contribution to the visual quality of Kitchener through the
beauty of their property;
Large-Scale Business (road view frontage larger than
5,000 sq. ft.) includes neighbourhood retail, community or
regional chopping centres, big box retail, office buildings
and corporate developments, hotels, and industrial
properties;
Small-Scale Business (road view frontage up to 5,000
sq. ft.) includes small frontage locations of individual retail
or commercial service properties such as retail stores,
shops, restaurants, taverns, service stations and small offices;
Multi-residential includes townhouses, condominiums
or apartment developments (more than three units), private
nursing homes or residential care facilities.
You can even nominate your own yard. Get growing –
nominate a property today!
Nominations close July 10. For more information call 519741-2227 or e-mail [email protected]
Summer camps feature music, sports, ecology and more
Music camp, basketball camp, sailing camp. You name it,
chances are the City of Kitchener, or its affiliated groups,
offers it. Remember your own camp days? The friendships
you made, the skills you learned?
There are camps for all ages, at reasonable prices.
For children aged four to five, there are Kinderswims
offered at Wilson Pool and Cameron Heights Pool; the
sessions offer crafts, games, songs, outdoor activities and a
daily swim. Both pools also offer Kids Craft and Swim camps
for ages six and seven.
Breithaupt Centre offers Kids Crafts and Games for
children aged four to seven, while children aged six to nine
can take part in Kids in Motion. The centre also offers Camp
Eco, featuring forest games and guest presenters every week,
for children aged seven to 12.
For the more athletic children, the centre offers sports
camps for children aged nine to 13.
Kiwanis Park also offers the Outdoor Environmental
Camp, an exploration of the natural world, interwoven with
games, songs, stories, hiking, the arts and swimming, also
for those aged nine to 13.
Also at Kiwanis are sports camps for ages nine to 13.
Junior basketball camps are held at St. David Catholic
School for children aged seven to 10, and community
basketball camps are offered at all levels at Resurrection
High School, St. Mary’s and Budd Park.
Lifeguard training is now offered in bundles for ages 15+ at
Cameron Heights and Harry Class pools. These crash courses
are offered at the novice and elite levels.
Cameron Heights also offers a water sport camp and a
junior lifeguard club, both for ages eight to 12.
Something different
Building Youth Leadership courses are offered to youth 13
to 15 years in either full-day or half-day settings.
Drama School is offered at the Registry Theatre for youth
aged nine to 11 and 12 to 14. This day school runs over
three weeks, teaching skills in improvisation, character
development, technical theatre, playwriting and analysis.
Youth camps are offered for youth with disabilities ages 13
to 17 at Stanley Park Community Centre; activities include
swimming and an off-site trip.
There are also golf lessons for children aged eight years and
older who have disabilities. The introductory clinic at Wedges
‘N Woods Golf Academy is a chance to learn basic golf skills,
but mini-sessions are also offered at Doon Valley Golf
Course. Junior golf camps are also offered at both Doon
Valley and Rockway.
For more information, see the Leisure Magazine or visit
www.kitchener.ca
City seeks federal and provincial support for infrastructure projects
Funding support for city’s list of infrastructure projects would result in hundreds of new local jobs
Well over 500 new jobs could be created if
support for a prioritized list of 14 municipal
infrastructure projects is approved for
funding at the federal and provincial levels.
The city has submitted the list to the other
levels of government, in hopes of garnering
federal and provincial infrastructure funding
for up to $72.7 million worth of new
municipal construction projects.
If granted, the funding would come from
the federal government’s economic stimulus
plan, announced in January, which
designated $6.4 billion over two years for
provincial, territorial and municipal
infrastructure projects.The main purpose of
this funding allocation is to stimulate the
economy, while creating a more modern and
greener infrastructure that is the foundation
of sustainable long-term growth.
The list
The city’s list of projects for city facilites
and infrastructure in need of the federal
funding support includes:
Infrastructure remediation ($26.6
million; 300 jobs created)
Centre in the Square improvements
($1.2 million)
Consolidated maintenance facility
(CMF) ($14 million; 200 jobs created)
Kitchener public library central library
renovation and expansion ($5.6 million)
Strasburg Road industrial project ($5.5
million)
Accessibility improvements ($1 million)
Solar retrofits ($1.2 million)
CMF solar roof (4.1 million)
City hall lighting ($1 million)
Energy management systems ($1.5
million)
Sportsworld Arena capital upgrades
($0.9 million)
McLennan Park development ($3 million)
Bridgeport Community Centre ($2.1
million)
Aquatic facility upgrades ($5 million)
Staff will also submit the central library
project for funding consideration under the
federal Building Canada Fund.
These capital projects will stimulate the
local economy by creating new jobs while
considerably improving the condition of the
city’s infrastructure resulting in long-term
benefits for the community.
It will also help to address the local portion
of the rapidly growing $123 billion national
infrastructure deficit.
The two main criteria for projects to
qualify for funding are:
Projects must be ‘’shovel ready’’ and
completed by March 31, 2011;
Projects should be incremental to the
city’s existing 2009 capital forecast.
The city could be eligible for funding
through the three components of the federal
infrastructure program:
Infrastructure Stimulus Fund: $4 billion
is available over the next two years in this
category for infrastructure improvements
such as roads, bridges and sewers;
Green Infrastructure Fund: $1 billion is
available over the next five years in this
category to support the creation of
sustainable energy;
Recreational Infrastructure Canada
Fund: $0.5 billion is available over the next
two years in this category for arenas, tennis
and basketball courts and sports fields, etc.
The infrastructure funds will be allocated
based on project merit and readiness as
construction must begin in the 2009 and
2010 construction seasons.The funds will
cover up to 50 per cent of the eligible
projects costs with the balance to be
provided by provincial and municipal
governments.
Sally sat for an hour pushing back the tears
that frequently welled in her eyes, as she
worked through the burial details for her
mother, Bridget, who had died suddenly the
day before.
Although the cemetery staff was
understanding and patient, it was difficult
for Sally to concentrate in her grief.
Traditional wooden casket or biodegradable
one? Cremation or traditional burial? Where
will her mother be buried? Will she have a
headstone? What will it say?
Bridget, who had lived spontaneously, had
not left any instructions for her cemetery or
funeral arrangements.
Sally wished she had.
Would Sally’s mother have approved of a
“green” option?
Would she have liked to use a
biodegradable urn and burial at Sanctuary
Woods (an area near the pond at
Williamsburg Cemetery where the graves
are memorialized by a tree, which serves as
a living memorial)?
Or would she have liked to keep it simple
and less expensive, and chosen the option of
scattering the remains in the wooded area at
the cemetery?
Pre-planning: do you really need
to make these arrangements?
Benefits of pre-planning
Pre-planning a burial is a wise thing to do,
for many reasons.
It’s one way to ensure your wishes are
carried out, including choosing your
favourite location for a final resting place.
Families and loved ones benefit because
they have been relieved of making hard
decisions or sitting through lengthy
appointments at both the cemetery and the
funeral home.
Planning ahead means loved ones aren’t
spending emotionally on products or
services that aren’t wanted nor needed.
And, pre-planning saves money. Cemetery
costs increase every year by about three per
cent.
Did you know that in 1999, the cost of a
two-grave lot was $1,345; now, the same
two graves cost $2,663?
Many options
What Sally didn’t know when she started
the process of laying her mother to rest was
how many options were available; she could
choose traditional options with inground
burial, or above-ground options, with burial
in a crypt or a niche.
Making an informed decision
Just like any significant purchase – a house,
a cottage, a car — it is important to be
knowledgeable about what is available and
who provides quality services at affordable
rates.
When it comes to purchasing cemetery
products and services, it is important to
understand:
the role of the cemetery, the funeral
home and monument dealers;
the choices available; for example,
traditional interment versus cremation and
the advantages of specifying a local
crematorium;
the importance of a final resting place
the “green” options
options for memorialization
options for the burial service: viewing,
visitation, memorial and/or graveside
service;
what documentation is needed
the costs involved – there are many
different price points to suit individual
needs.
All of these details are discussed at
informational seminars held by Kitchener
cemeteries; the sessions are held during the
day and in the evenings throughout the year.
See ad for dates and times.
The Kitchener Market offers a friendly and warm
atmosphere where families, co-workers and friends can
enjoy tasty lunches from our international food vendors.
Enjoy authentic Italian, Caribbean, Croatian, Indian, German
or Mexican meals. Take-out is also available.
Market unveils new brand and logo
A new name, new logo, new brand.
City staff at the Kitchener Market hope the
new brand of the market embraces the
values people are looking for in their local
farmers’ market: local, fresh, warmth,
comfort,
friendliness,
accessibility and
vibrancy.
More than 475
people were
surveyed about
the market as
part of the
rebranding process. Of those, 89 per cent
indicated the availability of fresh food is
most important to them; 84 per cent said
access to locally produced food is
paramount.
The market opened in its current location
in 2004 and while the Saturday market is
hailed as a success, the upper level has
struggled since inception.
Kathy Weiss, director of business
development for the market, took over its
management in early summer 2008 and is
clear the city wants a full-time mini-market
back.
“It’s definitely feasible,” she said, “but we
have to work out the details. The downtown
area could use a comprehensive grocery
outlet and the introduction of a mini-market
operating during the week will also help to
revitalize the market.”
She adds, “We are intent on creating a place
where people can come in and get their
locally grown, fresh and organic produce.”
The survey also indicated cosmetic changes
are needed to give the arena-like structure a
warmer, more inviting atmosphere. As a
result, the market has new paint on its walls,
and the floors have been resurfaced which is
only the beginning to
creating a space in
which the public
would want to spend
time.
Creating a multi-use
facility on the upper
level is also being
proposed.
About 2,000 square feet of available space
on the upper level would be equipped with a
fully functional professional kitchen and
demonstration area.
It would also be available for an array of
other programming opportunities.
The intent is to launch the facility at the
grand re-opening of the Kitchener Market
later this year.
Staff are now preparing to proceed with
the development of the long-term strategy
and governance solution for the Kitchener
Market.
The approach will include the recruitment
of a third-party facilitator and establishing a
skills-based task force to assist with
developing a long-term strategy that will be
aligned with past and current initiatives, as
well as determining a governance solution
for the market.
Community groups will also be engaged
through focus groups and other
opportunities.
Learn the basics of creating a
beautiful backyard garden from noon to 1
p.m. May 20-22.
Experts will teach you about seedlings,
herbs, and transplanting. For the avid
gardener or the beginner, these sessions are
filled with valuable tips.
Admission is free. Enter a draw for a
chance to win a lunch for two at the
market. More information is available at
www.kitchenermarket.ca
Wednesday, May 20: Starting Plants
from Seeds Techniques to start plants from
seed and some tips and tricks on how to
maintain the seedlings.
Thursday, May 21: Herb Gardening
Methods used to plant and maintain an
herb garden, and growing herbs in
containers.
Friday, May 22: Container Gardening
Creating attractive containers, their care
and maintenance.
Lunch & Learn at the Kitchener Market: Let’s Get Growing
Growing organic more than
a method for new vendor
They aren’t certified organic, but Sylvie
and Marc Villeneuve’s philosophy about
farming is certifiably organic. That’s why
they call their market business Strictly
Organic Gardens.
“We were certified for nine years, but it
became too much paperwork. We’re
farmers, not bureaucrats,” says Sylvie,
adding, “We haven’t changed anything about
the way we farm.”
She says the early days of organic farming
were useful as farmers shared what they
knew about growing organic produce.
“Then people started getting certified even
when they had no heart for growing
organically, because they thought of it as a
way to make money,” she says.
The Villeneuves, the latest organic vendors
at the Kitchener Market, were born and
raised in Quebec, and spent the last 15 years
farming in New Brunswick, moving to
Ontario a year ago.
They bought a farm near Aylmer earlier
this year, and began selling their vegetables
and baked goods at the market in Kitchener
in March.
They have nine children aged 25 to five;
one son now owns their farm in New
Brunswick.
Among the vegetables found at their booth
will be spinach, asparagus, onions, peas, and
various kinds of lettuce, including arugula
and mesclun mix, and fresh sweet carrots.
“There are more people at the Kitchener
Market, and it’s year ‘round,” says Sylvie,
noting they also sell baked goods at their
booth. “We need a market that’s open to
farmers all year.”
For the Villeneuves, organic farming isn’t
just a way of life, it’s conviction.
It is more than planting and harvesting – it
is being a steward of the land, not using any
chemicals (herbicides, fertilizer, fungicides
or insecticides), adding minerals where
needed, and giving the plants what they
Kids’ Hop
Bring your toddler or preschooler out to these one-of-a-kind children’s concert
that will have them dancing up a storm and rolling with laughter. Every Tuesday
morning from 11 a.m.-noon, popular children’s performers entertain!
May 5 – Erick Traplin
May 12 – Richard Knechtel
aka Dickie Bird
May 26 – Music with Brian
June 2 – Dan the Music Man
June 9 – Erick Traplin
June 16 – Music with Brian
June 30 – Sandy MacDonald
and Sharon Foran
Kids’ Club
Our Kids’ Club offers FREE crafts, interactive activities and demonstrations the
first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon.
On May 2 and June 6 join the storytellers from the Kitchener Public Library for
wonderful story times and crafts.
Recipe
Asparagus with cream sauce
Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh asparagus spears
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup half-and-half cream
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Snap off tough ends of asparagus. Cook
asparagus, covered, in a small amount of
boiling water for 6 to 8 minutes or until
crisp-tender. Drain. Arrange asparagus
spears in serving dish and keep warm.
Melt butter in a small saucepan over low
heat; add flour, stirring until smooth.
Gradually stir in chicken broth and halfand-half cream. Cook, stirring constantly,
until thickened and bubbly, about one
minute. Whisk in mustard, lemon juice,
and pepper. Spoon sauce over asparagus.
Serve immediately. Serves 6 to 8.
Market entertainment
Free admission. Every Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., join us for
performances by local musicians performing international tunes, jazz, country,
oldies or classic rock. Relax, grab a bite to eat and enjoy performances by:
KEEPING IT ORGANIC -- Marc Villeneuve,
pictured here with daughter, Faith,
owns Strictly Organic Gardens with his
wife, Sylvie. They are the latest
organic vendors to join the market.
need to thrive.
“Farming organically is a very different
approach than farming using chemicals,” says
Sylvie. “We work with the ground, using
compost first, adding minerals and
sometimes lime. Chemicals make the ground
acidic.”
If there are enough good organisms to keep
the soil healthy, the plants will be healthy,
she says.
“People ask how do we get rid of the
aphids or the other things that can harm a
crop,” she says. “If everything is balanced
right, the plant will resist insects and
diseases.”
Moving to a new farm, the Villeneuves
know that while some of the farm will be
suitable for organic farming, part of the
farm has had chemicals used on it. It takes
three growing seasons, Sylvie says, to make
the transition to organic soil.
There are no plans to recertify themselves
as organic, she says.
“Our customers know how we farm. We
don’t hide anything,” she says, adding, “They
trust us.”
MAY
May 1 – Tim Louis
May 2 – Jesse Webber
May 6 – Mandippal Jandu
May 7 – Schwebbs
May 8 – Joe Lovell
May 9 – Richard Dlugokecki and
David Grigg
May 13 – Mandippal Jandu
May 14 - Schwebbs
May 16 – Tyler Schwende
May 20 - Mandippal Jandu
May 21 – Schwebbs
May 22 – Tim Louis
May 27 – Joe Lovell
May 28 – Schwebbs
May 29 - Tim Louis
May 30 – Romero’s
JUNE
June 3 - Mandippal Jandu
June 4 – Schwebbs
June 5 – Joe Lovell
June 10 – Kenn Lewis
June 11 – Schwebbs
June 12 – Tim Louis
June 13 – Vickie Yang
June 20 – Konyokonyo Musica
June 26 – Tim Louis
For more information on the genre of music
for the day, or about events at the Kitchener
Market, please visit www.kitchenermarket.ca
Top skater performs in November
Although Patrick Chan is at the top of his league, placing
first at the BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championship in
men’s singles, he knew he had some things to work on
before he competed at the ISU World Figure Skating
Championships in Los Angelos in March.
“I have to sell the footwork. We don’t want to leave
anything on the table,” Chan said in an interview from
Maryland, where he was preparing to head off to the Worlds
in Los Angeles, CA, in March. “I have to work on my spins
and triple axels, too. We want to grab as many points as
possible.”
Chan will be among the world-class skaters coming to The
Aud in November for the 2009 Homesense Skate Canada
International.
The 18-year-old Toronto native has been skating since he
was five, and first grabbed national attention when he placed
first as a novice at the national championships in 2004; he
did it again in 2005 as a junior, and again in 2008 and 2009
as a senior. He is determined to compete for Canada at the
2010 Winter Olympics.
Patrick Chan
Blue Man Group is sight and sound
The Blue Man Group returns to Canada
with the 2009 Megastar World Tour,
appearing at The Aud on Oct. 24. This
riveting production envelops audiences in a
euphoric, rock concert experience!
Opening the show will be world renowned
artist David Garibaldi, whose Rhythm and
Hue is much more than a performance art,
and paint-flailing presentation; it is an
inspirational experience as well.
Blue Man Group is joined by an eight-piece
band and takes audiences through step-bystep, song-by-song, head-bobbing, fist-
pumping moments of a real concert. The
result: a magical, tribal-inspired journey of
sight, sound and all-encompassing illusions
for the whole family.
The combination of interactive art,
experimental science and audience
participation, results in an uproarious,
experience; infusing modern, state of the art
technology with clever visual stimulation.
www.blueman.com, www.garibaldiarts.com
Tickets are $61 and $85.50 plus applicable
surcharges.
Kitchener Panthers home games
The Kitchener Panthers are a community-owned, volunteer-run baseball team that was
established in 1919. The Panthers play out of Jack Couch Park, located next to The Aud. The
majority of home games take place Thursday nights and Sundays.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate: adults $6, seniors $5 and children 15 and under are
free. Visit www.kitchenerpanthers.com for more information.
Schedule
Sunday, May 17
Thursday, May 21
Sunday, May 24
Thursday, May 28
Sunday, May 31
Sunday, June 7
Thursday, June 11
Sunday, June 14
Sunday, June 21
Thursday, June 25
Sunday, June 28
vs. Guelph
vs. Brantford
vs. Barrie
vs. Toronto
vs. Mississauga
vs. London
vs. Hamilton
vs Oshawa
vs. Guelph
vs. Toronto
vs. Oshawa
2 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
2 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
2 p.m.
7 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7 p.m.
Homegrown comedian brings
anniversary tour to The Aud
You’ve seen his face on tv, heard him on the radio. Russell
Peters is making a stop at The Aud Oct. 3, on his 20th
anniversary tour, for the second appearance in a year.
Currently starring in Monsoon House on CBC Radio,
Peters Russell has been doing stand-up for 20 years and
already has an impressive resume.
He had a recurring role in the Canadian sitcom, Lord Have
Mercy and hosted his own BBC chat show, Network East
Late. His movie credits include the comedy, Quarter Life
Crises, My Baby’s Daddy and the martial arts flick, Tiger
Claws III.
Tickets are $89 for the first four rows on the floor, $74 for
all other seats. Tickets are now on sale.
20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR -- Renowned Canadian
comedian, Russell Peters, will be at The Aud Oct. 3.
THE FACTS
“I’d love to do a quad in my program for the Olympics. I’ll
be working on it after the Worlds,” he said.
Enrolled in Grade 12 at l’École Secondaire Étienne-Brulé
in Toronto, he admits it can be difficult to balance skating
and school.
“I come back to regular life to go to high school,” he said.
“It can prove to be difficult at the beginning. I’m not
practicing in the mornings, which is strange, but I wake up
in the morning looking forward to school and seeing my
friends. School helps me focus, and organize my time. I
don’t watch as much tv or play as many video games when
I’m in school.”
Chan earned a silver medal at the Worlds.
“I didn’t leave anything out,” he said of his Worlds
program. “All of us are capable of winning the worlds, but,
really, it’s whoever can be on their top performance on that
day who will be the winner.”
The 2009 Homesense Skate Canada International exhibition
will be held Nov. 21-22 at The Aud.All-event ticket
packages are $159, plus applicable surcharges.
More than 25 million views on YouTube
First South Asian to sell-out the famous Apollo Theatre
Obedience, agility, conformation
highlights of K-W Kennel Show
The K-W Kennel Show, presented by the
K-W Kennel Club, will have The Aud
teeming with dogs from Saturday, May 16
to Monday, May 18,9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
The club holds annual conformation
shows and obedience trials on the long
weekend in May every year; this year, the
club will stage three conformation shows
and four agility trials at The Aud.
With several hundred dogs competing
each day, it is quite a sight to behold.
Come and see all of the beautiful dogs,
speak with exhibitors, shop at the vendors
and enjoy a great day “gone to the dogs.”
Located in the Kitchener-Waterloo area,
the K-W Kennel Club has served the
community for more than 60 years. Its
members are active in all aspects of the
in Harlem
First comedian to sell-out the Air Canada Centre
(twice)
75,000 fans attended his Homecoming Tour across
Canada in 2007
Sold-out Madison Square Garden, The Nokia Theatre
Los Angeles, Sydney Opera House, The Hammersmith
Apollo (four times)
Sold one ticket every two seconds in Dubai in 2007
Over 10,000 fans attended his shows in Dubai in 2008
Sold 9,000 tickets in one day for his O2 Wireless date
in London
Broke the box office record in the UK for selling the
highest number of tickets for an individual comedy show
(over 16,000 tickets sold).
Sold-out national tours of Australia, England, UAE,
United States, Singapore, South Africa, Norway, India, The
Philippines, Canada
Performed with Dave Chapelle, Dane Cook, Jon Lovitz,
Craig Ferguson, George Carlin, Tracy Morgan, Chris Tucker,
Dana Gould, Kenny Robinson, Damon Wayans, DL Hughley,
Lewis Black, Ralphie May, Angelo Tsarouchas, Jo Koy
Appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jimmy
Kimmel Live, Comedy Central, Showtime, HBO, MTV,
BBC, Al Jazeera, The Juno Awards (2008)
Global ambassador for Toronto Tourism
Over 10,000 unique views per day on
www.russellpeters.com
Supporter of the MS Society
Appeared at HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival, The Las
Vegas Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs
Three-time Gemini nominee and winner for Best Host
or Performance in a Variety Series, for hosting the 2008
Junos
Return host for the 2009 Junos
Latest DVD, Red, White and Brown, recorded live at
The Theatre at Madison Square Garden – released on
Comedy Central DVD in the US and Warner Music in
Canada
For more information, see www.russellpeters.com or
www.myspace.com/therealrussellpeters.
dog world, including conformation,
obedience, flyball, agility, hunting, carting
and rally.
Comprised of breeders and pet owners,
the club offers obedience classes at basic,
intermediate and advanced levels; showhandling classes (basic and advanced), and
puppy kindergarten classes to the public.
Members also participate in a pet visitation
program.
Tickets, which can be purchased at the
doors,are $5 for adults, $2 for children, $3
for seniors, and $12 per family.
Weekend passes are also available.
See participating local veterinarians,
groomers or pet retailers for coupons.
For more information, please visit
www.kwkennelclub.ca
Stunts, magic and
feats of skill all for
cystic fibrosis
Urban Fantasy, a
thunderous explosion of
high-flying stunts and
spectacular feats of balance
and skill, take on three funfilled performances at The
Aud, on Saturday, June 6.
Shows at 1, 4 and 7 p.m.
The show is presented by
the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation, K-W District
Chapter, Show Fund.
This show features the
incredible Project Dunk,
famous for performing for
NBA audiences at the
Toronto Raptors’ home
games. Watch as they toss
each other into the air and
perform amazing feats of
acrobatics.
The always-wacky Johnny
Toronto takes unicycling and
fire juggling to a whole new
level.
The show also welcomes
back international award-
winning magician, Richard
Forget, whose visually
stunning illusions have
amazed audiences the world
over. Along with other
special guest acts, this show
promises to leave you on the
edge of your seat.
Tickets are $16 and a
portion of the proceeds are
directed toward CF
research. Purchase tickets
on-line at
www.spcentertainment.com
or by calling 519-571-0937.
Tickets to events at The Aud
are available by calling:
519-578-1570,
1-800-265-8977,
www.centre-square.com
or at The Aud box office

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