Multi-site Visioning and Recreation Capital Planning: Phase 1 Update

The City of Kingston’s Arts, Recreation and Community Policies Committee has approved the Phase 1 Report for the Multi-site Visioning and Recreation Capital Planning project and has recommended that City Council endorse the report and advance the project to Phase 2.

Phase 1 of the project focused on understanding community priorities through an extensive engagement process, a background review and analysis of each site and understanding opportunities and constraints for future facility and site investments at the Kingston Memorial Centre, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, and Centre 70 sites.

The Committee’s recommendation includes:

  • Proceeding phase 2 of the project.
  • Advancing discussions with Queen’s University towards a long-term partnership for the development and use of a new twin pad ice rink at the Memorial Centre.
  • Explore options to acquire the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour water lot from the Federal Government.
  • Research and evaluate partnership, funding and grant opportunities to support the future recommendations identified in the phase 1 report.
  • Evaluate and prioritize future facility and site development opportunities based on Phase 1 engagement findings, community benefit, long-term value, service gaps, feasibility and funding partnerships.
  • City Staff will report back to Council with the results of phase 2, including preferred concepts, partnership opportunities, financial and implementation considerations and recommendations for investments in future sites.

The phase 1 report is available to read on the City’s website and the presentation slides from the Committee presentation are available to view on the project's Get Involved page.

The text of the recommendation approved by the Arts, Recreation and Community Policies Committee is copied below. It will next go to Council on July 7 for final consideration.

Text of recommendation:

That the Arts, Recreation and Community Policies Committee recommends to Council: 

That Council receive the Phase 1 Findings Report for the Multi-Site Visioning and Recreation Facility Capital Planning Project, attached as Exhibit A to Report ARCP-26-007, and endorse the findings and strategic directions identified therein; and 

That Council direct staff to proceed with Phase 2 of the Multi-Site Visioning and Recreation Facility Capital Planning Project for the Kingston Memorial Centre, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and Centre 70 sites, including where aligned to the Phase 1 Findings Report, the development and evaluation of site development options, financial analysis, partnership opportunities, implementation strategies, conceptual design of preferred options and capital planning considerations; and 

That Council direct staff to advance discussions with Queen's University toward a long-term partnership agreement related to the development and use a of a future twin-pad arena facility at the Memorial Centre site, and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer or their designate to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Queen’s University to formalize this partnership intent; and 

That Council direct staff to explore opportunities to acquire the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour water lot from the Federal Government and report back on the financial, operational and strategic implications of a potential acquisition; and 

That Council direct staff to continue evaluating partnership opportunities, funding sources, sponsorship opportunities and government grant programs that may support the implementation of future recommendations arising from the Phase 1 Findings Report; and 

That Council direct staff to evaluate and prioritize future facility and site development opportunities that consider priorities aligned with findings identified through the Phase 1 engagement process along with community benefit, long-term strategic value and Council-approved plans; address documented recreation service gaps, capacity pressures and urgent infrastructure needs; and support multi-use recreation and community hub models, including opportunities to leverage external funding sources such as partnerships, sponsorships and grants to reduce municipal capital and operating costs; and 

That Council direct staff to report back through the Arts, Recreation and Community Policies Committee with the results of Phase 2, including preferred concepts, partnership opportunities, financial implications, implementation considerations and recommendations for future investment and development of the study sites.