The MHBPNA Blog would like to share some images of the new structure at the Duke Street playground.
Breithaupt Centre Pool Closure
MHBPNA Annual General Meeting, Monday November 15th, 7 pm
It is time again for the Annual General Meeting of the Mount Hope – Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association. This will occur on Monday, November 15th at the Breithaupt Centre at 7 pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend and you do not have to volunteer for anything! There are certainly board positions that are available but please come and see what is going on in our area.
We will have, as a special guest, our Councillor Elect Dan Glenn-Graham.
Please attend and support our activities.
Box Art Show and tour at the Breithaupt Block, Nov 13, 14
From 1 – 4 pm this Saturday and Sunday, the Breithaupt Block (51 Breithaupt Street, Dock 4) will host an art show and sale called “Box 10.”
At noon hour on Saturday there will be a history talk and factory tour, and at noon on Sunday there will be an art critique session.
Box 09 took place at the Boehmer Box factory.
For a full list of events this weekend, click here.
Flash from the past
Our family was looking at this sign the other day and we go the idea to post it to the Blog and see if anyone has some stories from that time.
We march forward into a bright future
Saturday’s Record revealed the “official” election results and, as we’ve known for a few days, Ward 10 was won by Daniel Glenn-Graham. The MHBPNA would like to thank all candidates for running. All four candidates offered their vision of our great neighbourhood and all put time into lawn signs, web sites, promotional material, meetings and going door to door to meet all of us.
We would also like to thank the candidates for responding to the MHBPNA Blog’s questions and thanks to those of you who contacted us and came up with those queries.
So now another term begins and Kitchener will address issues of LRT, Weber Street widening, parks and bike plan, infrastructure decisions, flashing lights at intersections and the many other topics that evolve in a busy city. This BLOG will continue to update everyone as events occur. Please email us if you have story ideas, or questions we can help with.
Mystery and Progress in Duke Street Playground
Neighbours, parents, casual wanderers, gossiping teenagers needing a place to congregate all gasped in astonishment as they wandered through the Duke Street Playground this week. In utter disbelief they said things like “where did it go?” “what is happening here?” “How can this be?”
I have included this picture so everyone can view the “mystery of the disappearing swings”. The slide and the cool funnel for throwing balls into are also gone! Oh, the memories…..
The city was contacted about these disturbing events and apparently they are all part of a master plan towards progress and revitalization. The swings are gone for now but will soon reappear at the front of the park where the slide used to be. And at the back of the park, they will be installing a larger play structure of some sort. The work is scheduled to be completed in the next week or two (or prior to Halloween). So come to the park in a couple of weeks and see what has happened. Feel free to do some swinging or climbing.
BTW, if your child lost their jacket, it’s hanging from some equipment (see photo).
Now we are just wondering how many more years it will be before they finish paving our street.
Final Questions for our Candidates in Ward 10
The MHBPNA Blog appreciates all the questions submitted by our readers. It is close to election day so hard choices had to be made and we now present the last two questions. Apologies to those whose submissions were not chosen but there is still time to query the candidates directly if you wish.
Here are the two questions for this final round:
Question #1: Kitchener just completed a revision to the Parks Master Plan. What is your position on the various recommendations contained in the new Master Plan pertaining to open space, natural lands, parks and trails?
Question #2: Imagine you are elected to council and serve for four years. What is the ONE major goal or initiative you hope to accomplish in that period?
And here are the responses. Thank you to all our candidates.
Gary Ferguson
Question #1: Kitchener Parks Master Plan.
I support the principles and goals for the Parks Master Plan as listed below particularly Conserving and restoring city natural areas, Strengthening and expanding the community trails network., Enhancing active parkland and fostering growth in outdoor sports and Building and renewing our neighbourhood parks. I did find the section on Engaging and activating the community some somewhat short on specifics.
Question #2: The ONE major goal?
I have many goals to accomplish over the next four years, not just one. If I must choose one it would be a that of a responsive caring representative who would ensure that all decisions are cost effective to the ratepayer.
Denis Pellerin
Question #1: Kitchener Parks Master Plan.
I support the recommendations and added investment into our City’s parks, natural areas and trails. It is clear that residents want to see that investment happen and see improvements be made to our community’s parkland and green spaces. I think the new Parks Strategic Plan moves us in the right direction; more trails and cycle paths, more parks, linking up of existing green spaces and better conservation. It reflects an overall public attitude that I share towards a healthier environment and enhanced quality of life.
The Parks Strategic Plan will be more accessible to future amendments and changes. This is key when thinking about the forecasted population growth of our city and region. The Plan will likely evolve further as that growth takes place and new strategies are considered and implemented. If elected to council, I will ensure the Plan is being reviewed responsibly and that the tax dollars allocated for it are spent effectively and efficiently.
Question #2: The ONE major goal?
There are so many important issues facing our community that need to be considered. However if elected; one major goal would be to continue laying a proper foundation for the projected future growth of our City and region. In the next 25 years, our region is expected to welcome in 200,000 more residents bringing the population to 750,000. Kitchener will see much of this rapid growth. It is essential that this growth is considered, managed and planned for properly. Infrastructure and services will need to be updated and expanded; property development and intensification will increase; community programs will need more funding. These are just a few examples of many factors that will need to be addressed because of the rapid growth. If elected, I will work towards smart, sustainable and cost-effective approaches to ensure our community adapts positively to this growth.
Terry Marr
Question #1: Kitchener Parks Master Plan.
I commend the city on this initiative as I feel that the city needs more parks, green space and natural areas and needs to upgrade many existing parks, however I think the plan falls short in some areas. I believe some of the timelines are too long. One example is the concept of a riverside park (which I believe would be wonderful) but the plan calls for a “vision and concept and implementation program” in 2013. I know a huge project such as this can not be rushed but my feeling is that at that rate a park won’t be in place for many, many years from now.
I also feel that unfortunately there are too many projects where the associated costs are vague or non-existant. My concern is that it makes it very difficult to plan and budget when there isn’t any dollar figure suggested (even using today’s costs would be helpful.)
I am sad to see that protecting Hidden Valley was not a priority.
I am glad to see that the city has included performance measurement in the plan so that the work can be properly evaluated
Question #2: The ONE major goal?
It’s VERY difficult to narrow my goals down to one but since I have to choose… If I am fortunate enough to be elected, I would be very pleased if at the end of my four-year term I had met with everyone in the ward who wanted to meet with me during my proposed kitchen round tables and from those get-togethers residents’ ideas or suggestions had been implemented, their complaints had been addressed and at the same time neighbours who did not know each other before had the opportunity to meet each other.
Several All Candidate Meetings Posted
Questions of the week for Ward 10 Candidates
Here are responses from our four candidates to the Blog’s two questions of the week. We would like to thank all candidates for responding to these questions and we hope to post a couple more before the election. The answers are posted in the order received by the Blog.
First the questions, then the answers: