Kitchener council approves Victoria Street development
Multi-tower plan will include 32 affordable units
Indoor climbing gym Grand River Rocks may find itself without a home again in the coming years, after Kitchener councillors approved the redevelopment of a Victoria Street North property.
The project will replace two existing buildings — including the former LA Fitness location where Grand River Rocks and sister business Go Bananas plan to open in June — with three towers at 236 and 264 Victoria St. N.
The climbing business leased the space almost a year ago for five years, with an option for another five years; owners told councillors last week they weren’t made aware of the development plans.
They’ve spent recent months renovating and installing custom climbing walls and equipment, preparing to relocate due to a planned development at their current Borden Avenue site.
The Victoria Street North project, approved at a special council meeting on Monday afternoon, would see 1,076 residential units and commercial space built in three towers ranging in height from 18 to 40 storeys.
Councillors were told last week that Grand River Rocks would be able to operate for the next four years on Victoria Street, completing the initial five-year lease term, before any construction begins on that part of the site.
The developer, Brampton-based Falco Group, also pledged to make 32 of the residential units affordable under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation guidelines, even though no affordable units are required for this build.
Monday’s decision wasn’t unanimous — Coun. Bil Ioannidis and Coun. Stephanie Stretch voted against the proposal.
Others said they felt for the situation Grand River Rocks is in, but said council isn’t able to allow a landlord/tenant issue to affect a planning decision.
“That’s not something that’s within the realm or the scope of consideration that council can consider,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic.
“There’s been a number of things here that have been achieved through goodwill and ongoing dialogue that we heard this evening is going to continue to occur.”
If the proposal, which city planning staff recommended, was refused by council and the developer appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, it would require a costly defence, Vrbanovic said.
Any of the concessions pledged now by the developer — such as the affordable units or the commitment to Grand River Rocks — could also vanish, he noted.
Councillors heard last week that Grand River Rocks employs about 60 people and has an estimated 3,500 to 4,000 members.
Owners said it would take about 10 years to pay off the custom walls and equipment for the Victoria Street location.
“We did listen to the concerns of the Grand River Rocks community, knowing full well how important it is to them to have a place to go,” said Coun. Jason Deneault.
“There are some things … that are out of our hands, but what we could do, I believe we did.”
Deneault said he hoped there’s an opportunity to incorporate the climbing business into the new Victoria Street development in the future.
Ioannidis said he wasn’t able to support the proposal.
“I feel Grand River Rocks is one of those organizations that’s going to be bouncing around, if we can’t find a permanent home for them.
“I can’t stress the importance of that type of community and what it brings to the city. It’s something that’s very difficult to replicate.”