[WaterlooInvestor]

-

[Cambridgite]

You listed it as U/C. Has it actually started construction yet? I know the original buildings were torn down, but I haven't seen any construction from when I pass by on highway 8.

[WaterlooInvestor]

-

[Cambridgite]

However, I'm not sure if construction has yet begun and was actually going to ask you to take a look since you travel right by there.

No problem. Today I'm driving so I could just leave a bit earlier and skirt by that section of King street.

[Cambridgite]

Constuction is now underway. I drove by it today on King street and saw construction workers pouring the foundation for one of the buildings.

[DHLawrence]

I could see the bridge/tunnel in back through the fence as I was going by yesterday. Progress is being made!

Does anybody know if they're actually removing the mini-golf course? It's still there, relatively intact, which makes me think it's there to stay. Not a bad idea, if you ask me; kids need some sort of bribe in order to go shopping with their parents, and this is perfect. We want more mixed-use developments, right? What's better than offices, stores, a twin pad rink, and a mini-golf course? You've got something for everyone.

[jcollins]

I listed it as U/C due to the October article stating "Construction of the buildings will begin next month". However, I'm not sure if construction has yet begun and was actually going to ask you to take a look since you travel right by there.

Here's the rendering from the Leasing PDF - looking south-west towards King Street and Sportsworld Drive:
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/AndrewEH/Sportsworld%20Crossing/SportsworldCrossingRendering-Lookin.jpg

Would that be the Moose that's in the middle/upper left of the rendering?

[DHLawrence]

Most likely; the arcade has been moved from the current building, so whether they take out the mini-golf course or not, it looks like a new restaurant building is in order.

[jcollins]

Most likely; the arcade has been moved from the current building, so whether they take out the mini-golf course or not, it looks like a new restaurant building is in order.

I was there the other night, and was thinking, they'd almost have to change part of it when they get rid of where the arcade used to be, since the enterance is currently inside.

[jcollins]

High-end retail will be a part of Sportsworld Crossing

April 18, 2008
Chuck Howitt
RECORD STAFF

KITCHENER

Greyhound bus commuter service and high-end retail shops such as Calvin Klein and Rockport will be among the tenants in the first phase of Sportsworld Crossing.

Developers of the huge office and retail complex proposed on the 16-hectare site at the south end of Kitchener released more details about the project yesterday.

The Greyhound commuter service will begin June 1. Parking will be available for 200 to 250 cars and passengers will wait in a canvas-like shelter that resembles a Greyhound bus.

The bus service is the first step in what the developers hope will be a transportation hub that includes a light-rail transit station linking the region operated by Grand River Transit. The station would be topped by several floors of offices.

"At the front of the project, we were thinking about transit a lot," said Mark Kindrachuk of Intermarket, which is developing the site on behalf of owner, GPM Managed Investments.

Construction has already started on the anchor building of phase one -- a 150,000-square-foot office building in the centre of the site. Shaped like a V and built on a slope, it will feature stores on one side and office space on the other, above the stores.

Tenants such as Reebok, Calvin Klein and Rockport have already signed leases and the entire retail section should be leased within the next few months, Kindrachuk said.

The third component in phase one is central green space behind the existing Moose Winooskis restaurant. The restaurant is being renovated and expanded and the pond and trees are being retained. Uses for this area include outdoor movies, concerts and a play area for kids.

The grand opening of phase one will be Nov. 28, with a soft opening earlier in the month, he said.

Phase two, which will begin in September, will include six to eight small retail buildings fronting on King Street and Sportsworld Drive.

Phase three, scheduled for 2009 to 2010, will encompass the area facing Highway 8 where the transit hub and more office space is planned.

Developing the site, formerly the home of the Sportsworld amusement park, has been tricky, Kindrachuk said. Melloul Blamey Construction, the general contractor, has had to work around existing businesses such as Moose Winooskis, the twin-pad arena and the Outback Steakhouse.

"It's like a jigsaw puzzle," he said.

chowitt@therecord.com

http://news.therecord.com/Business/article/338582

[Duke-Of-Waterloo]

I listed it as U/C due to the October article stating "Construction of the buildings will begin next month". However, I'm not sure if construction has yet begun and was actually going to ask you to take a look since you travel right by there.

Here's the rendering from the Leasing PDF - looking south-west towards King Street and Sportsworld Drive:
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/AndrewEH/Sportsworld%20Crossing/SportsworldCrossingRendering-Lookin.jpg

Is it just me, or do some of the trees and bushes in the middle look like they are on fire?

[Duke-Of-Waterloo]

Basically it looks like we can expect a glorified and upscale Sunrise Centre. Minus the big box like Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire, and add in some office space.

I really like how on the website for this, they advertise that they hope to bring GTA style retail to the Region, saying "Waterloo" and "Cambridge" before "Kitchener", even when this site is in Kitchener itself. Here is what it says:

"Sportsworld Crossing will attract regional retailers from the western GTA – Mississauga, Burlington, Oakville, Milton to Cambridge, Waterloo, Kitchener and London. Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge is the fourth largest urban area in Ontario by population. From 1996-2001, Waterloo Region grew by a factor of 8.2%, more than twice as fast as the national average (4.0%). Approximately 125,000 cars pass the site daily!"

- Just shows what cities in the region have the appeal and brand in the GTA! :banana:

And don't expect RIM to locate here. I was told they don't want a Kitchener address from an unidentified individual from the City of Waterloo.

[Cambridgite]

And don't expect RIM to locate here. I was told they don't want a Kitchener address from an unidentified individual from the City of Waterloo.

:haha:

Yeah, I heard rumours of them expanding into Cambridge and Mississauga, but not Kitchener!

Good news on the retail and Greyhound by the way. :tup:

[kitchener-lrt]

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/AndrewEH/Sportsworld%20Crossing/SportsworldCrossingRendering-Lookin.jpg

I may be a bit late with this reply, but there seems to be a ton of parking here. I understand that this'll kinda be our "Yorkdale", where inbound commuters from GTA/London can park their cars, and take the LRT in, as well as outbound commuters taking the Greyhound out:tup: , but there's too much surface parking for me.


I really like how on the website for this, they advertise that they hope to bring GTA style retail to the Region, saying "Waterloo" and "Cambridge" before "Kitchener", even when this site is in Kitchener itself. Here is what it says:

- Just shows what cities in the region have the appeal and brand in the GTA! :banana:

And don't expect RIM to locate here. I was told they don't want a Kitchener address from an unidentified individual from the City of Waterloo.

I don't really like that very much. How can Cambridge be more of a selling feature than Kitchener?:koko:

:haha:

Yeah, I heard rumours of them expanding into Cambridge and Mississauga, but not Kitchener!

Good news on the retail and Greyhound by the way. :tup:

Great news on Greyhound, and even if they don't want a Kitchener adress, I'd much rather see them expand to Cambridge than to Sauga.

[jcollins]

I may be a bit late with this reply, but there seems to be a ton of parking here. I understand that this'll kinda be our "Yorkdale", where inbound commuters from GTA/London can park their cars, and take the LRT in, as well as outbound commuters taking the Greyhound out:tup: , but there's too much surface parking for me.


Sure there is a lot of surface parking, but consider how much retail and office space there is. Combine that with the greyhound/LRT hub and theres that much more demand. Sure there are better options parking wise, but for this area I dont think it's that bad. At least the parking situation isnt Yorkdale-ish.

[KitchenerBitcher]

I just hope the whole thing ends up being layed out better than the stupid Sunrise centre. Try walking from Canadian Tire to Wal-Mart without getting run over! It's like they want you to get in your Chevy Suburban and drive down there.

[jcollins]

I get the impression from the renderings that that will not be the case with the parking

[KWnGTA]

The fact that they have lined up Calvin Klein had me thinking it would be like those outlet malls in the States. Designs don't seem to indicate that though

[WaterlooRegioner]

I thought the exact same thing, many of the stores mentioned so far are alike the stores in the Tanger outlet malls. Like you said though, this does not appear to be the case as it will have the same stores but the prices will not be reduced as they are in the outlet malls, from what I can tell.

[KWnGTA]

The city/developers/retailers can make a serious killing if they opt for a full scale outlet mall like in the States.

I think people in Southern Ontario would opt to come here rather than drive down across the border for some outlet shopping if the retailers had pretty competitive pricing.

Other than the stores in Niagara Falls, Ontario doesn't have anything comparable.

[WatDot]

It's really the same thing as Heartland Centre in Mississauga retail wise. :rolleyes:
However, incorporating of mass transit / Greyhound does make it a bit more exciting.

[jcollins]

I thought the exact same thing, many of the stores mentioned so far are alike the stores in the Tanger outlet malls. Like you said though, this does not appear to be the case as it will have the same stores but the prices will not be reduced as they are in the outlet malls, from what I can tell.

Hopefully they will continue to draw outlet mall type stores, and then draw outlet mall type numbers in terms of shoppers

[DHLawrence]

Other than the stores in Niagara Falls, Ontario doesn't have anything comparable.

There's a similar development in Windsor on the road that connects the Ambassador Bridge to the 401--called Windsor Crossing, by coincidence.

[KWnGTA]

I wasn't aware of that...thanks!

I'm from Toronto...it's the centre of the universe remember :P :haha:

[jcollins]

Is there any way to find out who has leased retail space?
I dont think it's too far off to think that this space could end up simlar to the outlet areas in terms of who they lease to.

With all the office space though, Id expect a coffee shop. Not sure what else.

[DHLawrence]

If there's a coffee shop, it'll probably be a Timothy's or Second Cup. There's already a Starbucks, a Williams, and two Timmys within a half-kilometre range.

The basic skeleton of one of the buildings towards the back is up, and a few concrete forms are standing--one of which looks like the shaft for an elevator to nowhere.

[jcollins]

This place is going up really fast!!
Especially the side closest to King st.

Sorry dont have any pictures though, can anyone help out with that?

[DHLawrence]

It certainly is! Doesn't look like they're doing much with the existing sections yet.

[jcollins]

I think that's part of phase 2 or 3 if memory serves...

[plam]

At this centre, it's power to the pedestrians
Developer shuns the big boxes and acres of asphalt for a more genteel suburban shopping centre

CRAIG SAUNDERS

Special to The Globe and Mail

September 9, 2008

According to the stereotype, shopping centre developers set out to cram as much retail floor space as possible onto the available land - then use the rest for acres of parking lot.

Not Mark Kindrachuk. The Toronto developer is bucking the big-box trend by building an office and shopping centre in Kitchener, Ont., that will feature smaller stores and public transit options - he's even saving some of the mature trees for green space.

In fact, when he applied for zoning on the 40-acre site, Mr. Kindrachuk agreed to scale down the size of individual shops so that they will each occupy no more than 20,000 square feet. The zoning change helped expedite the process but also widened the range of stores that could be located on the site, he says.

"We down-zoned ourselves," he says. "We had the opportunity to do 100,000-square-foot boxes ... We'll guarantee we'll only do smaller stores."

The $100-million development, called Sportsworld Crossing, is occupying the site of a former amusement park near Ontario's Highway 401. Mr. Kindrachuk's development company, Intermarket Group, plans to keep an existing skating rink and add offices, retail space and a hotel, for a total of 500,000 square feet.

He says it's a departure from the traditional power centre to the east of Sportsworld's site. There, vast parking lots separate huge stores, including Staples, Home Depot, Costco and Future Shop.

The plan for Sportsworld involves smaller, more fragmented parking lots and smaller stores to create the impression of a more natural streetscape. This, combined with walkways and a large central green space, a pond and waterfall, is intended to make the suburban shopping centre more pedestrian-friendly. The development also features some architectural flourishes on the store facades, such as arched windows and limestone facings, which Mr. Kindrachuk hopes will help set it apart from the traditional big-box approach.

The plan also uses a natural slope on the property to keep loading docks out of sight. They are a bone of contention for Mr. Kindrachuk, who points to a stretch of Highway 401 running through Milton, Ont., as an example of shopping centre design gone wrong. There, passing motorists see unsightly loading docks from power centres lining either side of the highway. At Sportsworld Crossing, the highway frontage will be lined by four- or five-storey office buildings, the ice rink and a mass transit depot.

"I think it's going to set the bar, frankly, for commercial development in Ontario. You can never find that in any retail project in Ontario."

But there's also a financial interest: It's hoped the high-quality development will command higher rents and yield better long-term returns for Sportsworld's owner, Toronto-based Greiner-Pacaud Management Associates, which bought the property in 2005 for $12.7-million.

"This isn't a quick flip, this is a long-term ownership," Mr. Kindrachuk says.

Office space at Sportsworld Crossing is leasing for $16 a square foot, and retail in the low $20 range, he says.

Phase one of the project will open in November, consisting of about 75,000 square feet of retail and 75,000 square feet of office space. Tenants include Reebok, Calvin Klein, Rockport and Pro Hockey Life, which would be the largest at 20,000 square feet.

"It is in the absolute right place, being the centre of the region," says Karl Innanen, managing director of Colliers for southwestern Ontario. "And a fantastic place for suburban office space." Demand for suburban office space is high, he adds.

Suburban office vacancy rates have been low in the region for the past decade, Mr. Innanen says, and technology is driving growth in the area. Research In Motion Ltd. recently bought a nearby building, and Manulife Financial Corp. and Sun Life Financial Inc. have opened offices in the area. The universities and colleges are providing the Kitchener-Waterloo region with stable, white-collar employment, and Toyota Canada Inc. is doing well, Mr. Innanen says. As a result, the area is enjoying a lot of investor attention, particularly from Germans, who are known as long-term investors, and Israeli pension funds and trusts.

Despite all this, the development isn't quite a Jane Jacobs dream-come-true, an observer suggests. It is separated from residential areas by large roads and, despite its pedestrian-friendly features, it remains a place that people will drive to.

"As I was looking at the layout, it looks a lot like a power centre," says Pierre Filion, a professor at the University of Waterloo's School of Planning.

"You need to have density, walkability and connectivity," he says. A successful commercial development, in Dr. Filion's view, is one with enough people in the offices to provide a clientele for the retail and restaurants, and where people can move from one place to another by walking. Also, it should be easy for people from surrounding areas to get there. This plan doesn't appear to have the density or connectivity, he says, but may have some of the walkability.

But with the varying levels and designs of storefronts, the public transit connections and the central green space, he says it is a marked improvement on the typical commercial park that can be found in most suburban communities.

And it's a model that Mr. Kindrachuk plans to build on. Across a highway, he has plans to create a larger mixed-use development on a 225-acre site with offices, hotels and possibly condominiums. Now at the planning approval stage, that development will include 50 acres of green space in the middle and walking trails.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080909.PRSPORTSWORLD09/TPStory/TPBusiness/Ontario/

It would still be a production to bike to Sportsworld, but maybe there'll actually be transit to Sportsworld someday.

[notmyfriends]

That article makes it sound really, really promising. Should I believe the hype?

[metropolis]

And it's a model that Mr. Kindrachuk plans to build on. Across a highway, he has plans to create a larger mixed-use development on a 225-acre site with offices, hotels and possibly condominiums. Now at the planning approval stage, that development will include 50 acres of green space in the middle and walking trails.

Across a highway? Do they mean across town? This company owns the old NCR property on Northfield.

[Cambridgite]

Well, I'm glad they're doing smaller storefronts. Lord knows there's enough big box in the immediate area. For a suburban shopping centre/office park/hotel site, it's a nice development. I'm certainly a little surprised it made an article in the Globe and Mail though.

This paragraph has me curious...

And it's a model that Mr. Kindrachuk plans to build on. Across a highway, he has plans to create a larger mixed-use development on a 225-acre site with offices, hotels and possibly condominiums. Now at the planning approval stage, that development will include 50 acres of green space in the middle and walking trails.

Across which highway? Highway 8 or 401? Where would this development go?

[DHLawrence]

It may be across the 401; a company has parked construction equipment just south of the overpass, and they've started preliminary land clearing work behind the strip mall and Kiwanis village on Preston Parkway. We've been promised a hotel since we moved here nearly twenty years ago; looks like we're finally getting it.

[Cambridgite]

It may be across the 401; a company has parked construction equipment just south of the overpass, and they've started preliminary land clearing work behind the strip mall and Kiwanis village on Preston Parkway. We've been promised a hotel since we moved here nearly twenty years ago; looks like we're finally getting it.

Yeah, I've seen that sign on Shantz Hill Road before and the patch of land its on. I would say there's enough room for a hotel there, but not much else. That makes me wonder where everything else will be going.

[DHLawrence]

Probably behind the Kiwanis village, where the other development has been proposed. They may have decided to share the land closer to the 401 and King.

[notmyfriends]

I'm having trouble picturing this. Anyone feel like drawing on map to show where this all would fit in?

[DHLawrence]

The Preston Heights development I'm talking about is right here (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=43.399006,-80.380075&spn=0.004358,0.009077&t=h&z=17). As you can see, there's a fair amount of space to work with on the brown patches of farmland and vacant lot. Towards the left on Limerick Drive, they're planning a detached and townhouse development, and to the right near the 401 interchange, we've been promised a hotel. Work preparing the land for something appears to be underway.

[notmyfriends]

That's definitely not the 225 acres the article is talking about, unless existing buildings on limerick drive are being done away with, but we would have heard about that. It is nice to know, though, that some development is going on there as well.

Across the highway could mean just about anything. Damn ambiguity.

[mark76]

That's definitely not the 225 acres the article is talking about, unless existing buildings on limerick drive are being done away with, but we would have heard about that. It is nice to know, though, that some development is going on there as well.

Across the highway could mean just about anything. Damn ambiguity.

What about land across Costco??That land is on sale as well.Maybe they meant that area.There is sing posted for sale ,I dont know whats gonna happen with all those houses.

Only land I could think of is where United Furniture is.I saw some machines there but nothing serious is happening there.

Also I saw some machines for repaving but those are for current repaving of 401.( I guess).

Mini golf site is teardown.Thursday and Friday there was some paving in process.If I have time I will take some pics.

Cheers!

[DHLawrence]

At United is where they're supposedly building a hotel. They said a hotel was being built there twenty years ago, back when Cambridge Centre was going to be on the Bridgecam site and include a conference centre and Eaton's. Funny how things don't always turn out the way they say it will.

[mark76]

At United is where they're supposedly building a hotel. They said a hotel was being built there twenty years ago, back when Cambridge Centre was going to be on the Bridgecam site and include a conference centre and Eaton's. Funny how things don't always turn out the way they say it will.

Hotel?? DHL do you know who will come there?? Holiday Inn, Delta ???
Are they going to built anything else except hotel??
Does that mean United Furniture is going down??

[DHLawrence]

They haven't identified the brand; I can't imagine it being either of those because there's a Delta in Kitchener and a Holiday Inn in both Cambridge and Kitchener. I can't imagine a high-scale hotel being built; probably one of the lower-scale Marriott or Hilton chains (though not a Hampton Inn; they have one near Sportsworld). The sign promised a hotel and conference suites, but who knows if that will come to be.

I WISH it meant that United was coming down, but sadly I don't think it's going to happen. I don't know if anything else will be built, but there should be plans, if there aren't any plans already in progress. My neighbourhood is isolated from all the commercial areas by both the 401 and by distance, and could use a few amenities to make it more self-sustaining, especially with the new residential development planned for Limerick.

[gghtransit]

Hotel?? DHL do you know who will come there?? Holiday Inn, Delta ???
Are they going to built anything else except hotel??
Does that mean United Furniture is going down??

United Furniture is on it's own parcel, it isn't affected by the redevelopment aside possibly from so entranceway modifications since the Sportsworld site will soon have access off King Street as well

[DHLawrence]

United Furniture isn't near Sportsworld; it's closer to where the hotel is supposed to be going in.

[jcollins]

Ive been a big fan of this project from the start, and continue to be, especially because of how quickly its being done. (take notes Auburn)

If their future projects can be done like this too, all the more power to them!

[Section ThirtyOne]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080909.PRSPORTSWORLD09/TPStory/TPBusiness/Ontario/

It would still be a production to bike to Sportsworld, but maybe there'll actually be transit to Sportsworld someday.
This development sounds a lot like the Kanata Centrum in Ottawa.

If it turns out to be similar, there will be a portion that is walkable but the majority will operate like a big box centre. Although it would certainly be nice if the entire thing was pedestrian friendly! :tup:

[jcollins]

This development sounds a lot like the Kanata Centrum in Ottawa.

If it turns out to be similar, there will be a portion that is walkable but the majority will operate like a big box centre. Although it would certainly be nice if the entire thing was pedestrian friendly! :tup:

To link it to another spot in ottawa (for those that know it) I think it sounds a lot like College square, just because its a lot of smaller shops. Similar layout too.

[Section ThirtyOne]

To link it to another spot in ottawa (for those that know it) I think it sounds a lot like College square, just because its a lot of smaller shops. Similar layout too.
Perhaps, but do you really consider College Square to be walkable though? It is mostly small shops (with the exception of Loblaws), but the big U-shape means a long parking lot crossing to/from a store at either end.

With the middle stores in the Centrum (near O'Connors and the AMC Theatre) there is at least the concentrated pedestrian-only area where you KIND OF feel like you're not in a big-box area.

[jcollins]

Perhaps, but do you really consider College Square to be walkable though? It is mostly small shops (with the exception of Loblaws), but the big U-shape means a long parking lot crossing to/from a store at either end.

With the middle stores in the Centrum (near O'Connors and the AMC Theatre) there is at least the concentrated pedestrian-only area where you KIND OF feel like you're not in a big-box area.

Thats true actually. I hadnt thought of it like that.

I was more thinking of it based on the kind of outter ring of shops, and their small size, compared to the other areas with just big box stores

[gghtransit]

United Furniture isn't near Sportsworld; it's closer to where the hotel is supposed to be going in.

Actually, I'm going to make a correction and assume he was talking about the La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery (and therfore I quoted that), so making this assumption...

The Sportsworld Site is quite "close" to La-Z-Boy with the Sportsworld Crossing redevelopment wrapping around it. The hotel will be on the north side of the La-Z-Boy site, and there will be entrances to the Sportsworld on both sides of La-Z-Boy.

Unless we're talking about United Furniture on Preston parkway, and in that case, it's not even in Kitchener.

[mark76]

Actually, I'm going to make a correction and assume he was talking about the La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery (and therfore I quoted that), so making this assumption...

The Sportsworld Site is quite "close" to La-Z-Boy with the Sportsworld Crossing redevelopment wrapping around it. The hotel will be on the north side of the La-Z-Boy site, and there will be entrances to the Sportsworld on both sides of La-Z-Boy.

Unless we're talking about United Furniture on Preston parkway, and in that case, it's not even in Kitchener.

Can anybody if possible post aerial view or google map of proposed location for that hotel?? People are getting confused.

Lets go this way : There is McDonalds, after that right now ,currently construction site where mini golf was ,then a big hill in grass - probably they didnt know what to do so just sits there,after that `hill`there is one old white house and finally Lazy Boy Store.And also brand new entrance to Greyhound terminal.
Isnt already across street one hotel there??

Question for GGH: can GRT introduce direct line from Charles St. Terminal to new Greyhound terminal??

[gghtransit]

Can anybody if possible post aerial view or google map of proposed location for that hotel?? People are getting confused.

Lets go this way : There is McDonalds, after that right now ,currently construction site where mini golf was ,then a big hill in grass - probably they didnt know what to do so just sits there,after that `hill`there is one old white house and finally Lazy Boy Store.And also brand new entrance to Greyhound terminal.
Isnt already across street one hotel there??


Here's a PDF of the site plan for Sportsworld Crossing, you can see the hotel site "below" the twin-pad arena close to King Street, and yes there is an existing hotel across the street.

http://www.sportsworldcrossing.com/pdf_pages/Office_SitePlan.pdf


Question for GGH: can GRT introduce direct line from Charles St. Terminal to new Greyhound terminal??

I doubt there would ever be a dedicate route from Charles Street to Sportsworld, and Greyhound is still providing that service anyways. However, there's been some talk upstairs (although I don't know how much or how serious) about bringing the iXpress into Sportsworld. However, there's some resistance from a few people because GRT says it would take an extra 5 minutes to complete the diversion from Highway 8 to Sportsworld and back onto Highway 8

In addition, there are some who say that bringing the iXpress into Sportsworld for Greyhound is "catering" taxpayer dollars to serve a private enterprise, which is a load of BS in my opinion, since there's a lot more at Sportsworld than just Greyhound, including potential to better serve the various Commercial Development in the area and the Cambridge Business Park, and regardless of whether we serve Greyhound or not, bringing those people on GRT to Sportsworld means more passengers on our buses, and I don't see a problem with that.

Now having said all that, there have been discussions with the developer about transit service, it is an intergral part of their plan afterall, and with both a potential BRT or LRT there will be a rapid transit station in the vicinity eventually so it would make sense to bring iXpress to the area until the time the RT Line is opened.

Only time will tell.

[Cambridgite]

However, there's been some talk upstairs (although I don't know how much or how serious) about bringing the iXpress into Sportsworld. However, there's some resistance from a few people because GRT says it would take an extra 5 minutes to complete the diversion from Highway 8 to Sportsworld and back onto Highway 8

In addition, there are some who say that bringing the iXpress into Sportsworld for Greyhound is "catering" taxpayer dollars to serve a private enterprise, which is a load of BS in my opinion, since there's a lot more at Sportsworld than just Greyhound, including potential to better serve the various Commercial Development in the area and the Cambridge Business Park, and regardless of whether we serve Greyhound or not, bringing those people on GRT to Sportsworld means more passengers on our buses, and I don't see a problem with that.

Now having said all that, there have been discussions with the developer about transit service, it is an intergral part of their plan afterall, and with both a potential BRT or LRT there will be a rapid transit station in the vicinity eventually so it would make sense to bring iXpress to the area until the time the RT Line is opened.

There are two sides to that coin. On one hand, you're right that the Sportsworld node is worthy of having its own transit station and iXpress stop. On the other hand, if you put in too many extra stops, the "Xpress" is gone from iXpress. It already takes 50 minutes for me to get from the Cambridge Centre to U of W by bus. I can do that same drive in 20-25 minutes by car. The last thing we need is to make our transit even less competitive with the private automobile. I don't have time at the moment, but I will post some ideas on GRT News later about how we could possibly solve this issue.

[notmyfriends]

The hotel appears to be a circle of parking spots, as does the "food court". Am I missing something there?

[Brenden]

looks like the McDonald is closing then... oh well ha ha

[mark76]

looks like the McDonald is closing then... oh well ha ha

according to pdf seems McDonalds is going down too??
way to go!

[KW4Life]

I read somewhere that McDonald's is moving, not giving up the location.

[DHLawrence]

They are; they're getting a pad up near Outback Steakhouse.

[gghtransit]

You can see the drive-thru location adjacent to the Gateway Park Drive entrance where McDonalds will go.

[gghtransit]

There are two sides to that coin. On one hand, you're right that the Sportsworld node is worthy of having its own transit station and iXpress stop. On the other hand, if you put in too many extra stops, the "Xpress" is gone from iXpress. It already takes 50 minutes for me to get from the Cambridge Centre to U of W by bus. I can do that same drive in 20-25 minutes by car. The last thing we need is to make our transit even less competitive with the private automobile. I don't have time at the moment, but I will post some ideas on GRT News later about how we could possibly solve this issue.

What's being tossed about already is that when the final rapid transit technology and alignment are chosen that the iXpress be modified to assume the most similar station locations until the RT line is operational and when that happens you're going to see several new stops on the iXpress, even more so if LRT is selected.

Sportsworld Crossing is already a slam-dunk since both the BRT and LRT proposals include the area as a rapid transit stop.

Let's also not forget, the iXpress is more intended to be and a pre-cursor to the Rapid Transit Route and is not so much an Express Route. I know that's a bit vague, but there is a difference between the two.

[notmyfriends]

this one has a picture that makes it pretty clear where McDonald's is going to be

http://www.sportsworldcrossing.com/pdf_pages/Office_PremiumImage.pdf

[primetimelegend]

some of the stores

Prohockeylife - a large hockey only store (Finally):D
Nike Outlet
Calvin Klein

New - Mcdonalds
New - Moose

[jcollins]

New - Moose

Only part of the Moose is going to be new. They are leaving the "lodge" or bar part as is, and rebuilding the dining room around it.

[Duke-Of-Waterloo]

Is it just me, or do some of the trees in the centrepiece look like they are on fire? :haha:

this one has a picture that makes it pretty clear where McDonald's is going to be

http://www.sportsworldcrossing.com/pdf_pages/Office_PremiumImage.pdf

[gghtransit]

Is it just me, or do some of the trees in the centrepiece look like they are on fire? :haha:

Oh My!

[Leaffan]

Old school house to become part of Sportsworld redevelopment

By Terry Pender, Record staff

KITCHENER — A 120 year old school house will be turned into a restaurant that specializes in meals prepared with locally produced ingredients as part of the development of Sportsworld Crossing.

Intermarket Developments will renovate and restore the Pine Grove School House on King Street East where a restaurant and wine bar will open early next summer.

The old school house was built some time in the 1800s and was slated to be demolished in the original plans for the area’s redevelopment.

But when some members of the neighbourhood asked the developer to save the historic building, the Toronto-based company promised to look into it.

“We couldn’t commit to anything, but really for the last two years we have been thinking about—how do you rework that building?” Mark Kindrachuck, president of Intermarket Developments, said.

“So one of the first things we did is have an engineer make sure it was structurally sound, and once we had that we got a little more serious,” he said.

Kindrachuck loves Balzac’s Coffee in the Distillery District in Toronto.

So he took the owners of the Woolwich Arrow Pub and the Borealis Grille and Bar in Guelph to the Toronto café so they could see the possibilities for reclaiming an old space.

“I didn’t take them to the sight initially because I thought they would get scared off by the way the building looked,” Kindrachuck said of the old school.

“I took them to Balzac’s and I showed them the plans and said: ‘This is what I think we can do here,’” he said.


“So we are going to do some of the same things at the school house,” Kindrachuck said.

An addition will be put on the side of the school house using reclaimed brick from an old house that is being demolished in central Kitchener.

The basement will feature exposed brick walls, stylized windows, a big harvest table, a wine rack covering one wall and live jazz.

“This is a small part of a big project, but in my mind it is the fun part,” Kindrachuck said.

People who work to preserve the city’s built heritage are doubly thrilled. They like the plans and are pleasantly surprised the developer chose to incorporate the historic building without a fight.

The building, while historically significant, is not listed on the city’s register of heritage properties and is not designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.

“It’s an interesting project in that it wasn’t designated, it wasn’t on our radar,” Leon Bensason, the city’s head heritage planner, said.

That means the city could not force the developer to include the old building in the project, but Intermarket Developments was on side once it was determined the building was structurally sound.

“That was great, especially since we didn’t have any legislative authority to back up a request that it be retained,” Bensason said.

“I think what we are seeing is a trend to some degree,” Bensason said. “The development industry is recognizing the value of retaining some of these buildings. We are seeing it now in plans of subdivision, how they could be used as a focal point in neighbourhood development.”

Coun. John Gazzola represents the area on city council and sits on the committee that advises council about heritage matters.

“They are going to sandblast it, they are going to put a bit of an addition on it but they are going to save the whole building and really improve upon it,” he said.

“We are fortunate because they could have torn the thing down and we wouldn’t have even known the difference,” Gazzola said.

The conversion of the old Pine Grove School into a restaurant is part of a large $100 million redevelopment called Sportsworld Crossing. It includes several premium retail stores and green spaces on a 40 acre site.


The site is bounded by Highway 8, King Street East and Sportsworld Drive. It includes 250,000-square-feet of retail and 300,000-thousand-square-feet of office space.

While the economic slump slowed the signing of new tenants the project is proceeding nicely, Kindrachuck said.

[Duke-Of-Waterloo]

/\ Great idea, but bad location. I think something like this is better suited to Downtown Kitchener, Uptown Waterloo, or best of all - old Galt. There's many under-utilized historical buildings in Galt that would be perfect for this. Somehow, I can't see minivan driving soccer moms jaunting over here for a bite to eat after bargain hunting at Costco and loading up on hockey gear at ProHockey Life......Turtle Jacks down the road is much more their taste unfortunately.

[DHLawrence]

Still better than demolition!

[Cambridgite]

/\ Great idea, but bad location. I think something like this is better suited to Downtown Kitchener, Uptown Waterloo, or best of all - old Galt. There's many under-utilized historical buildings in Galt that would be perfect for this. Somehow, I can't see minivan driving soccer moms jaunting over here for a bite to eat after bargain hunting at Costco and loading up on hockey gear at ProHockey Life......Turtle Jacks down the road is much more their taste unfortunately.

Totally agree with you on this one. Though I'm no market analyst for Balzac's, I can't see how it makes sense to break into the KW market with such a suburban location. It's doable for a large chain like Starbucks that has over a dozen locations in the region.

IIRC: Aren't they looking into the Lang Tannery? I would hope this potential move to Sportsworld Crossing isn't a change-of-plans towards this proposal. Like Banana Republic, KWC only has so much of a market for such high-end businesses.

As a side note, it is interesting to see how many high-end chains are locating here or expanding in the midst of a recession. The growth of Coffee Culture, more Starbucks, Moxies, Bauer Kitchen, Spring Rolls, Oliver & Boccani, American Apparel, and now Balzacs? Impressive. :tup:

[taylortbb]

As a side note, it is interesting to see how many high-end chains are locating here or expanding in the midst of a recession. The growth of Coffee Culture, more Starbucks, Moxies, Bauer Kitchen, Spring Rolls, Oliver & Boccani, American Apparel, and now Balzacs? Impressive. :tup:

It's reflective of our local economy. Although our unemployment is high it's almost entirely from the manufacturing sector. The knowledge economy companies that employ the people that visit these businesses are doing pretty well, especially technology, and that sector has been throughout the recession.

Some of those places you listed are also very popular with students. Although students don't make a lot of money many of them don't have many expenses either, and put things liking dining out as top priority for their entertainment money. This being especially true here with the popularity of co-op, which certainly helps the student financial situation.

That's why I think this region can support a disproportionately large amount of retail and restaurants for our size, though it's fairly recent and the market hasn't quite caught up.

[jcollins]

Totally agree with you on this one. Though I'm no market analyst for Balzac's, I can't see how it makes sense to break into the KW market with such a suburban location. It's doable for a large chain like Starbucks that has over a dozen locations in the region.

IIRC: Aren't they looking into the Lang Tannery? I would hope this potential move to Sportsworld Crossing isn't a change-of-plans towards this proposal. Like Banana Republic, KWC only has so much of a market for such high-end businesses.

As a side note, it is interesting to see how many high-end chains are locating here or expanding in the midst of a recession. The growth of Coffee Culture, more Starbucks, Moxies, Bauer Kitchen, Spring Rolls, Oliver & Boccani, American Apparel, and now Balzacs? Impressive. :tup:

You're right, Balzac's is indeed opening a location at the Tannery.