Will any downtown location work for the LVEC?

[Frontenac]

Despite all the glib commentary about the the North Block (the area bounded by Wellington, Queen, Place D’Armes and Ontario streets) as a possible location for the LVEC it seems like a site doomed for failure: multiple land owners, environmental problems and additional traffic issues. Its hard to see this project launching before the next municipal election. A revitalized Memorial Centre sounds increasingly like a better, and less costly, alternative to both the LVEC and the multiplex.

[Lydia]

I agree i think like Sara Meers thinks that the Memorial Centre location would be the best place for the LVEC. Having said that, I think we should ask the people in the area what they think. Maybe we should ask people where they would like to have it.

I like the idea of having a referandum on this issue and having the Kingston taxpayers tell us where and IF we want this.

[Frontenac]

While revitalizing the Memorial Centre would certainly be far less costly than building both an LVEC and a Multiplex, it remains to be seen whether there can be any easy fusion of these various concepts. It is still not clear that there is a commercial need for an LVEC and the proposed Multiplex seems bound for a suburban location.

[the_burrhead]

The LVEC in principle is a good idea for Kingston. We need an entertainment complex to draw entertainers , sports events, and conventions (something that should be addressed in the design). It is essential it be downtown for tourism benefits, transit considerations, restaurant and hotels close by, as our downtown business core is slowly being devastated by huge mall developments where there is free parking. Either site the Anglin Bay or North Block is a choice that with all considerations should be where it is located.

The issue of the Memorial centre and property, and its obvious need for replacement is one that should be addressed not in the LVEC context but rather the Multiplex venue. I believe the Multiplex 4 rink idea will be a dis-service for Kingston community and hockey players. I would prefer to see two double rink arenas, built one east at the memorial site, and one west. This better services the community, rather than one site of 4 rinks.

The LVEC issue has widely divided this community..the bottom line isn't that we should be fighting over where it goes but rather to agree it is a good project for Kingston and its tax base. I think the majority of Kingstonians agree it is a good idea. We need first to come together and understand the need for this complex. Secondly to work together to choose the site that benefits all Kingstonians the best. We need infrastructure to help our downtown survive.

[Lydia]

Secondly to work together to choose the site that benefits all Kingstonians the best. We need infrastructure to help our downtown survive.

I FULLY AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT AND I FULL AGREE WITH THE FACT THAT WE NEED A LVEC. We also need a Multiplex That has been my stance from the very beginning.

My only complaint about it being ""downtown" is how people indicate what ""downtown" actually is. I have no problem with the LVEC being "downtown" at all as long as the Residents and Taxpayers Down Town want it there.

I think "Downtown" isn't just along the waterside. My definition of "downtown" includes the entire region between the Pittsburg Township, The Former Township of Kingston, and a few other Districts.

Personally, when I think of "downtown" includes areas around 401 and Montreal Street, or 401 and Division or even 401 and Sydneham or instead of 401 around Princess Street or even Queen Street.

Has anyone asked the people around the Memorial Center what they want? If they don't want the Memorial Center to have the LVEC why not put it around 401 and Division Street?

For the people who want the LVEC to be close to hotels, why not situation the LVEC around 401 and Division Street? The Day's Inn is a hotel. There are businesses in that area as well.

Oh well, at least North Block would be a better choice then Anglin Bay. However, because I am not familiar with past history of this location I will stay out of the debate on it.

After all the emotion dies down and everything is said and done, I KNOW that we will be proud of all the work everyone has put into presenting BOTH sides. And WE WILL BE PROUD OF WHAT WE WILL HAVE.

[Jane]

Burrhead - if the downtown depended on free parking availability it would have been dead years ago. Little things mean a lot. The new ice rink is the smallish kind of thing that will make the downtown more vibrant. Now if you could do something to keep the streets walkable in the winter and perhaps allow flow of shoppers through one store to another, we might shop there in the winter as well. Why can't I walk INSIDE from the Royal bank through to Vandervoorts and Tara etc? Tell me - is there downtown tension flowing between the Goat and Starbucks?

[Lydia]

LOL LOL LOL.
I can tell you why JANE that will not happen. ''THE CITY HAS NOOOOOOOOOO MONEY for that kind of stuff"" lmao.

However, it has for all those wonderful things just as the LVEC, Multiplex, etc etc. lol

Way to go Jane. Can you believe it this Council tells us that we have not money for infrastructures, garbage collection, better accessiblity for seniors etc however they do have it for what THEY WANT.