Renovations begin at The Boathouse in Kitchener's Victoria Park

There is fencing up around The Boathouse in Kitchener's Victoria Park as renovation crews work to ready the space for reopening day.

The building has sat empty since October 2019.

A group of local investors called Walkinshaw Holdings are hoping to turn it into a patio by the water with local food, drinks and music.

The Boathouse is a city-owned property located on Jubilee Drive beside Victoria Park Lake. It has historically served as a music venue, but has seen closures over the last 10 years because of tenant issues, abrupt closures and delays issuing requests for proposals

Crews put up a fence around The Boathouse a week ago to begin the renovation work.

The city of Kitchener said Walkinshaw Holdings Inc. wants to make three significant changes:

• An addition to the west facade of the building for a new washroom.
• A cantilevered patio that extends over part of the lake.
• Adjustments to windows and doors, including a new entrance.

The new tenant also wants to set up an arts fund to support local artists, and they want to have a community advisory committee oversee the venue's programming to ensure it's inclusive and diverse.

Renovations are expected to wrap up by Summer 2024.