Victory Grounds Ventures is proposing a 4,000 to six,000-seat soccer stadium on the Memorial Centre, with hopes of revitalizing the world whereas creating a brand new dwelling for turf sports activities within the metropolis.
“It’s already zoned for what we’re making an attempt to do,” mentioned lead investor Paul Barbeau. “The one distinction is as a substitute of a puck, we’re placing the ball in place. There have been 3,000 individuals plus right here for Frontenac video games. At one level there have been 40-odd video games a 12 months.”
A public assembly was held Friday by Williamsville District Coun. Vincent Cinanni, offering residents with a possibility to be taught extra in regards to the proposal. Cinanni acknowledged the potential advantages, however emphasised the significance of evaluating its general impression.
“It’s an attention-grabbing proposal. I can see that there may very well be quite a lot of advantages to one thing like this,” Cinanni mentioned. “However we now have to take a look at the impression it should the precise group and other people’s enjoyment of this area. And is it the proper area? I don’t know.”
The proposal has drawn blended reactions from residents. Some expressed considerations in regards to the lack of inexperienced area and the potential impression on present customers of the Memorial Centre grounds.
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“So we’ll need to see how these play out as considerations in regards to the privatization of public land, though it appears like they’re leasing it fairly than proudly owning it,” mentioned resident Lesley Rudy. “And, you recognize, considerations in regards to the observe and the canine park and what occurs to these sorts of issues.”
Others voiced optimism in regards to the venture, offered present makes use of stay intact. “I might be okay if we don’t lose something consolidating the area,” mentioned Estelle Greatrix. “It needs to be as a result of this seems like a big venture, and I’m glad they’re sending out data for us locals.”
Barbeau spent a lot of Friday addressing residents’ considerations, notably relating to the way forward for teams already utilizing the grounds, such because the farmer’s market.
“I believe there’s quite a lot of misinformation on the market from individuals considering that I want to displace the farmer’s market, which I don’t want to do,” mentioned Barbeau. “I really wish to work with the farmer’s market, and I really feel that the inflow of individuals will assist them.”
The proposal would be the major focus of Tuesday’s metropolis council assembly, with 4 delegations scheduled to make shows. Councillors and Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson will finally vote on considered one of three choices: shifting ahead with analysis into the venture’s viability, exploring an alternate location, or scrapping the plan completely.
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