The Boathouse in Kitchener's Victoria Park sets Nov. 22 for reopening date

After more than a year of renovations, The Boathouse in Kitchener's Victoria Park is set to open this month.

James Barr, who is part of the investor group Walkinshaw Holdings, which will operate the restaurant and music venue, told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition host Craig Norris that The Boathouse will open on Nov. 22.

"It's great. We've got occupancy. We're moving through the final things, we've assembled furniture, we're tuning the room for audio," he said. "We're feeling good. Nervous, but it's also, we can't believe we're here."

The building has undergone a number of renovations, including a large patio with space for an outdoor bar and grill area, new washrooms and an upgraded stage and bar. The one wall has also been replaced by glass doors to give views of the lake.

"Kitchens been revamped, menu's revamped," Barr said, noting food will also be available starting Nov. 22. 

Live music will play a big part in The Boathouse, Barr said, although they are still working to book acts.

"The idea is we're going to bring in touring acts, we're going to do some of the top local talent and we're also going to open the stage up for folks who are trying to cut their teeth in the area as well," he said.

History of The Boathouse

The Boathouse is a city-owned property on Jubilee Drive beside Victoria Park Lake. It was built in 1929 and has historically served as a music venue, but it's seen closures over the last 10-plus years.

In 2013, the venue closed after the tenants fell behind on rent and utility payments. It reopened in 2015 but closed abruptly in October 2019 and has sat empty ever since.

In 2021, the city said it had delayed issuing requests for proposal to secure a new tenant due to the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges faced by the restaurant and hospitality industry.

The city announced the proposal from Walkinshaw Holdings to run The Boathouse in August 2022 and, at that time, the city said it hoped the venue would open by spring 2023.

That didn't happen as renovation work was not approved by city council until April 2023. Construction fences went up around the building in August 2023.

Hope to draw visitors, people living downtown

Barr said they know The Boathouse's recent past has been a roller-coaster and opening a restaurant can be a risky venture, but he thinks they have a fantastic location by being in the park and they hope to draw people who live in the downtown.

"I think the things we worry about are, what happens on the cold days when people don't want to walk from King Street all the way through the commons, right?" he said. "But also we have such a huge downtown community that I think there's some some balance to it, right?"

In a media release, Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said he's "beyond thrilled" to see The Boathouse reopen.

"For decades, The Boathouse has been a social hub for our city, an important part of our local music scene, and a beloved gathering spot for residents and visitors alike," Vrbanovic said.

"This amazing new and improved space, in the heart of Victoria Park, will make it an even better place where our whole community can gather and spend time together year-round." 

The grand opening celebration will take place at 11 a.m. ET on Nov. 22.