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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-13-048 - Victoria Park Canoe Rental Business Approval REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: May 6, 2013 SUBMITTED BY: Jim Witmer, Director of Operations, ext. 4657 PREPARED BY: Greg Hummel, Manager Park Planning & Operations, ext. 4598 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 6 DATE OF REPORT: April 24, 2013 REPORT NO.: INS-13-048 SUBJECT: Victoria Park Canoe Rental Business Approval RECOMMENDATION: That the request of Canoeing on the Grand to operate a temporary canoe rental business in Victoria Park for a 45 day period in May and June, 2013 be approved provided the required licence is obtained and further; That a licence fee of $105.00 be charged for the trial period. BACKGROUND: Chapter 270.3.1 (h) (Parks) does not permit the sale of goods, wares or merchandise unless authorized by the Board (Council). It further states in Section 270.4.1, that unless authorized by the Board no person shall perform for reward any art, skill or service. REPORT: A request has been received from Ned Courtney of Canoeing on the Grand to operate a canoe rental business from May 15, 2013 to June 30, 2013 on a trial basis in Victoria Park. He has requested that the approval be temporary in order for him to determine if this proposal is viable in the park. The business will consist of boat rental by the half-hour from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm daily with the last boat off the water by 5:00 pm. Special occasion events may allow for later operation until dusk if the demand warrants. It is also being proposed that the licence fee charged be $105.00. This fee was determined as it th is approximately 1/5 of the full licence fee of $620.00 if this business were to operate seasonally for 5 months of the year. Before this proposal can move forward, Council must give their approval. 8 - 1 ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality of Life: Canoeing on Victoria Park Lake was once an expectation of the park. Canoeing brings an additional active recreational opportunity to the park and through this partnership canoeing can once again be realised. Leadership and community Engagement: Canoeing in Victoria Park continues to be a regular request from citizens. By partnering with Canoeing on the Grand this request can provide more recreational opportunities within Victoria Park. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: No financial implication at this time. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Canoeing on the lake had been regularly requested before the redevelopment and since the completion of the lake work. This proposal has been shared with and is supported by the Victoria Park Working Group on a trial basis to ensure the success of canoeing on the lake. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services 8 - 2