Proposed development to help promote STEAM
WATERLOO — A hockey model is being used to redevelop the former post office in uptown Waterloo, but there won’t be a sheet of ice.
Hip Developments is proposing a revolutionary arena for youth involved in science, technology, engineering, arts and design and math (STEAM) to hone their skills at a young age.
Hip Developments president Scott Higgins, who coaches his son’s hockey team, drew the parallel between the way Canada treats hockey and what needs to happen to develop thoughtful leaders of the next generation.
“If you’re the mayor of a small town, you build an arena before you build a hospital,” said Higgins. “We’re a small country, but we continually produce great hockey players. And it’s because of the system we have. That’s the key.”
The plan for 70 King St. N., at the corner of King Street North and Bridgeport Road, is a 300unit condo development, as well as five storeys and 40,000 square feet of space for youth STEAM programming, dubbed the Arena of Creativity.
Higgins said he noticed a disconnect between the development of youth in the STEAM fields and the prowess of the three major post-secondary institutions in Waterloo Region — the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College — to develop that talent.
“Right now, our model is ‘come to the University of Waterloo and we hope you stay,’ ” said Higgins.
With Grade 8 students already choosing their stream in high school, Higgins said it’s important to get them exposed to the STEAM stream at a young age and, like hockey, identify those who have the potential for greatness.
With his own children, ages three and seven, Higgins noticed a lack of continuity when it comes to programming for youth in STEAM.
“We have to go all over the place. We have to go to math camp here, this camp over here,” said Higgins. When he contrasted that with hockey, where there is programming, mentorship and opportunities for development at nearly every step, he saw the opportunity.
Exactly how the space will operate — and meet costs — is still up in the air. He’s in early talks with local tech companies and organizations about what can be done to set up programming.
As for cost, Higgins expects the programming to operate much like hockey, where there is a user-pay system, but it will operate on a not-for-profit basis.
While there are questions yet to be answered, Higgins felt it was important to get the ball rolling.
“I hate that we’re referred to as the Silicon Valley of the north,” said Higgins. “Who wants to be second place to something? There was just something kind of funky about that.
“We’re open with our willingness to invest and make it happen. It’ll be up to those who wish to partner.”
The property on which the development sits takes up nearly an entire city block, with Night School remaining on the south end of the block at Princess Street.
Two towers emerging from a podium — one being 10 storeys and another 16 — are planned for the site.
Before planning can continue, the City of Waterloo must approve a number of requests. Those requests, which come to Waterloo city council in the form of an informal meeting March 5, are:
• Increase the maximum building height within 30 metres of King Street from 16 metres (four storeys) to 58.25 metres (14 storeys);
• An increase in density from 250 dwelling units per hectare to 571;
• An increase in maximum floor area ratio, from 3.0 to 12.4;
• Permission to use a combination of private indoor and rooftop decks as contributing toward the minimum required amenity area.
Assuming there are no delays in approvals, Higgins is hoping he can get shovels in the ground this spring or summer.