Phase 2 Planning Underway for Key Recreation Facilities

Following Council’s direction to proceed with Phase 2 of the Multi-Site Visioning project, the project team is now developing a range of facility program and concept options for the Memorial Centre, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and Centre 70. This work includes developing facility programs that identify the spaces and functions that could be accommodated at each site and how those spaces could relate to one another. The team is also developing concept options to illustrate how the facilities and spaces could be configured.

In parallel, as directed by Council following the endorsement of Phase 1, City staff and Queen’s University are working toward a Memorandum of Understanding for a long-term lease and partnership agreement related to a new twin-pad arena at the Memorial Centre. Additional studies are also underway, including an ice supply and demand study and a review of the operating models for Confederation Basin Marina and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.

A report will be presented to the Arts, Recreation and Community Policies Committee on December 16, 2026, outlining the emerging facility programs and concept options for the Memorial Centre, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and Centre 70. The Committee will also receive reports on the findings and analysis from the ice supply and demand study and the review of marina operating models. Following Committee consideration, these materials will be presented to Council for consideration and endorsement.

The December Committee and subsequent Council meetings will provide the first opportunity for Council to review the vision statements, emerging facility programs and concept options and provide feedback to the project team. Following this review, the next phase of public engagement is expected to begin in January or February 2027. Residents, interested parties and community partners will have an opportunity to review and provide feedback on the vision statements, facility programs and concept options.

The visions, facility programs and concepts developed through this project will help inform future decisions about some of Kingston’s key recreation and waterfront facilities. Feedback from Council, interest parties and the community will help ensure that the directions being considered reflect local needs, priorities and opportunities.