Region of Waterloo Rapid Transit Presentations

The presentations will address a number of questions, including:

Why does the Region of Waterloo need rapid transit?
How do Bus Rapid Transit and Light Rail Transit compare?
What are the implementation options for the Region's rapid transit project?
What are the next steps in the project?

Public Consultation Centers in March 2011

• Thursday, March 3, 2-8:00 at the Albert McCormick Community Centre on 500 Parkside Drive in Waterloo;
• Thursday, March 3, 2-8:00 at the Regional headquarters on 150 Frederick Street in Kitchener;
• Wednesday, March 9, 2-8:00 at 150 Main Street in Cambridge;
• Wednesday, March 9, 2-8:00 at the First United Church on 16 William Street West in Waterloo;
• Thursday, March 10, 2-8:00 at the United Kingdom Club on 35 International Village Drive in Cambridge; and
• Thursday, March 10, 2-8:00 at the Faith Lutheran Church on 247 Westmount Road East in Kitchener.

Public information booths in March 2011

• Saturday, March 5, 9-6:00 at Fairview Park Mall on 2960 Kingsway Drive in Kitchener;
• Saturday, March 5, 7-2:00 at the Kitchener Farmer's Market on 300 King Street East in Kitchener;
• Saturday, March 12, 9-6:00 at Conestoga Mall on 550 King Street North in Waterloo; and
• Saturday, March 19, 9-6:00 at Cambridge Centre on 355 Hespeler Road in Cambridge.

These engagement sessions will have staff on hand to answer questions, address concerns and accept feedback.

Public feedback is very important to us at the Region of Waterloo.

 for up to date information. http://rapidtransit.region.waterloo.on.ca

You can also use the region website to provide feedback right from home.

Victoria Park Lake and Taxes

Many of us living in the Mt Hope - Breithaupt Park neighbourhood enjoy spending time in Victoria Park. There are many activities there throughout the summer (Multicultural Festival, Blues Festival, Word on the Street etc.) and it is a great place to walk and bring kids.

In the middle of the park is a lake which needs to be cleaned up. There was a long debate about the costs chronicled in The Record and elsewhere. The city decided last year to procede with the cleanup and take the money from the storm water management fees.

There is a newly elected council and for some the mandate is to cut taxes as much as possible. Some councillors believe the lake cleanup is less of a priority. On Tuesday, Feb. 15th council is having a meeting (in council chambers) dedicated to public input on budget matters.

If you use Victoria Park, and have an interest in seeing that the lake is cleaned up for all to enjoy, please attend this meeting to show your support. Many residents from around the park will be there and it would be great to have those from throughout the city show that we all care about this great resource.

You can also provide budget feedback by emailing "citybudget@kitchener.ca".

Breithaupt Centre Pool re-opening mid-March

Breithaupt Centre 25-yard pool re-opening mid- March

KITCHENER – The 25-yard pool at the Breithaupt Centre, which was scheduled to reopen in February, will remain closed until mid-March due to construction delays.

The closure will impact swimming lessons in the 25-yard pool. The lessons, which are scheduled to begin in late February, will be delayed 3-4 weeks. Lessons and swims in the centre’s exercise pool remain unaffected.

Registrants who will experience any changes to their swimming lesson schedules are being notified and presented with alternatives by city staff over the next few days.

Recreational swims will not be held at Breithaupt until the 25-yard pool reopens in March.

The Breithaupt pool renovation includes filter system upgrades, complete re-piping, and pool tank upgrades to the 25-yard pool. The main floor will be re-modeled to include a family changeroom, upgraded accessible washrooms and renovated men’s and women’s changerooms.

The delays include work needed to address unanticipated structural issues encountered during the construction and the unexpected need for redesigned plumbing and electrical systems to accommodate the family change room renovations.

Program schedules and renovation updates are available online at www.kitchener.ca, or by contacting Breithaupt Centre at 519-741-2502. 

Winter, cold, community, work, television

OK, there is not a lot to report on things going on in our neighbourhood. I think everyone is aware that it is winter and really cold. So we are inside working, or inside reading or watching television or YouTube. Sometimes we have to make the trip from home to work and we appreciate having a car.

The Museum is inside and we will be attending the Tom Thompson exhibit soon, but we have not seen it yet, so cannot write about it.

Snow alerts: it has snowed a great deal and you can get a ticket and have your car towed if you leave it in the wrong place. I just thought you should know.

Here is something new: we at "the Blog" and the neighbourhood association received an email from an energetic fellow named Andrew Coppolino about a new blog/news/interactive media thing called "openfile". You are supposed to "open files" on topics of interest and other people add files of their own. Pretty soon it's a movement! The address is http://waterloo.openfile.ca. Despite the name it is supposed to be "Waterloo Region" so all of us in Kitchener are included. Check it out. There does not seem to be much there so far but I'm sure it will grow.

Hey, it is cold but the days are getting longer! It is nice to come home from work and have some daylight left.

The symphony is inside as well and they perform all through the winter so go see them in the next month or two. Kitchener/Waterloo is lucky to have such a fine orchestra. I went to a concert a couple of weeks ago and I don't think there is a much more thrilling opening in classical music than the Tchaikovsky Piano Concert #1 with the beautiful melody and crashing piano chords! Natasha Paremski's playing was powerful but nuanced.

That is the end of your MHBPNA Blog update for February 8th. Perhaps by next week we will have news and it might even be a bit warmer!