HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-2021-12 - Rotary Club of Kitchener 100th Anniversary Recognition ProjectsJ
StaffRepoit K, R
Infrastructure Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: December 6, 2021
SUBMITTED BY: McGoldrick, Denise, General Manager of Infrastructure Services,
519-741-2200 ext. 4657
PREPARED BY: Matthews, Dylan, Policy and Program Advisor (Office of Strategic
Partners), 519-741-2200 ext. 7269
WARD(S) INVOLVED: 9 and 10
DATE OF REPORT: November 25, 2021
REPORT NO.: INS -2021-12
SUBJECT: Rotary Club of Kitchener 100th Anniversary Recognition Projects
RECOMMENDATION:
That staff be directed to negotiate a legal agreement with the Rotary Club of Kitchener
(per Corporate Policy GOV-COR-2000 Municipal Sponsorship) to name the Band
Stand at Victoria Park the Rotary Band Stand, in exchange for $100,000 towards its
refurbishment in 2022; and
That the term for the sponsorship of the Band Stand at Victoria Park be the
replacement lifespan of the asset; and
That the request submitted by the Rotary Club of Kitchener, (per Corporate Policy
MUN-FAC-475 Naming/Renaming — Corporate Facilities for Commemorative or Non -
Monetary Purposes), be approved; and
That Duke Street Plaza, located at Kitchener City Hall, formally be named Rotary
Plaza.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
• The purpose of this report is to recommend two project opportunities in partnership with
the Rotary Club of Kitchener, in recognition of its 100th anniversary.
• The key finding of this report is that both opportunities follow different corporate policies,
therefore requiring council's endorsement of each in order to proceed.
• The financial implications are sponsorship of $100,000 by the Kitchener Rotary Club to
refurbish the Band Stand at Victoria Park, and up to $10,000 for site signage and
amenities at the Duke Street Plaza at Kitchener City Hall.
• Community engagement included close collaboration with members of the Rotary Club
of Kitchener in the selection of the two recognition projects. The Rotary Club has
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
Page 66 of 104
coordinated various community endorsements supporting its asset naming request,
provided as Attachment C.
• This report supports the delivery of core services.
BACKGROUND:
The Rotary Club of Kitchener is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022. Rotary is a chapter -
based non-profit service club, whose volunteer members provide community service and
humanitarian initiatives around the world. To commemorate this significant milestone, the
Rotary Club of Kitchener has approached the City to collaborate on planned capital works.
REPORT:
This report has been organized based on the two recognition projects that have been
identified, as both follow separate corporate policies: the refurbishment of the Band Stand
at Victoria Park (sponsorship), and the naming of Duke Street Plaza, City Hall (asset
naming).
Victoria Park Band Stand Refurbishment Project
The Rotary Club of Kitchener has approached the City with an opportunity to sponsor the
refurbishment of the Band Stand at Victoria Park, in the amount of $100,000. This site was
specifically selected by Rotary Club members.
Per Corporate Policy GOV-COR-2000 Municipal Sponsorship, City Council approval is
required for any agreement that is:
• in excess of $125,000 for the term of the agreement;
• in excess of 10 years in duration;
• naming rights for an entire complex; or
• does not satisfy the provisions of this policy.
The Band Stand at Victoria Park is not currently a City asset that is marketed as an
opportunity for commercial sponsorship opportunities in a static or permanent form, such as
naming. As such, council consideration and approval of this request is required.
Outside of this request, the Band Stand has been identified as an asset within Victoria Park
requiring potential refurbishment/replacement. INS Parks and Cemeteries has identified
improvement work at the Band Stand as $80,000 Class D estimate. The estimated lifespan
of the Band Stand post renovation is 25 years, barring a catastrophic event, based on a
recent structural assessment.
The Band Stand at Victoria Park is a passive use asset, in that it is not booked by users nor
does it host any programming via registration. Due to its location on Roos Island, there isn't
proximity to a roadway to factor in a vehicle exposure count normally factored into
sponsorship valuations, and there is only pedestrian access to the Band Stand.
The $100,000 amount discussed with the Rotary Club represents a 100 percent contribution
to the refurbishment cost, with further funding available for enhancement of amenities or
features (accessibility, electrical, mechanical etc.) as well as a recognition of club donors in
the form of a plaque or sign. Local Rotary Club members are excited by the prospect of
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working with the City on this project, specifically on opportunities to increase accessibility
features of the structure.
Subject to council approval and pending negotiation of a sponsorship agreement with the
Rotary Club, naming recognition would terminate at the end -life of the Band Stand (e.g., the
agreement would not cover a future replacement of the Band Stand). The Band Stand
naming also would not preclude it from future use as a venue in a non -permanent
sponsorship arrangement, such as an event.
Subject to council approval, work to plan for the refurbishment of the Band Stand would
need to commence immediately to align with the 2022 construction season and the Rotary
Club's 100th anniversary. A ceremony suitable to commemorate the project would be
coordinated in 2022.
Duke Street Plaza Renovation Proiect
City of Kitchener policy MUN-FAC-475 Naming/Renaming — Corporate Facilities for
Commemorative or Non -Monetary Purposes is intended to provide consistent criteria and
process for the selection of names for, or the renaming of, corporate assets for
commemorative or non -monetary recognition. The current policy has been in place since
2005 and all decision-making to name or rename a corporate asset is at the discretion of
council.
In terms of criteria and process, MUN-FAC-475 outlines the following guidance for
consideration of naming opportunities:
• a name that identifies geographical significance.
• a name that identifies a historical significance.
• a name that allows for recognition of the contributions of individuals.
• a name that allows for recognition of the contributions of organizations, corporations,
or foundations.
With regard to the recognition of organizations, corporations, and foundations, contributions
should be linked to enhanced quality of life and well-being; outstanding contributions; and/or
contributions toward the environmental preservation, conservation, or enhancement of
Kitchener.
On October 26, 2022, the City received a formal request from the Rotary Club of Kitchener
in accordance with MUN-FAC-475, requesting that a corporate asset be named or renamed
in recognition of its 100th anniversary (see Attachment 1). Staff are of the opinion that the
request from the Rotary Club conforms with MUN-FAC-475, specifically in recognition of the
club's many years of service and significant contributions to the Kitchener community.
A list of potential assets has been shared with the Rotary Club and after further consultation
the Duke Street Plaza at City Hall was identified as an ideal asset for this request. The
renovation of Duke Street Plaza is also scheduled to take place in 2022, aligning with the
commemoration of the Rotary Club's 100th anniversary.
In terms of any impact resulting from naming of the asset, the policy identifies the following
considerations regarding the changing of existing names:
• any historical significance of the name;
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• impact on the individual or organizations associated with the existing name; and
cost and impact of changing existing signage, rebuilding community recognition, and
updating records (e.g., data bases, letterhead, promotional materials, etc.).
Currently, use of the name Duke Street Plaza is used informally, primarily for internal
purposes. As such, the above noted considerations identified by MUN-FAC-475 are not
significant. A plaque formally recognizing the site, however, following renovation has been
discussed with the club to formally dedicate the site as Rotary Plaza.
While not condition of MUN-FAC-475, as part of this endeavour the Rotary Club of Kitchener
has also indicated its willingness to contribute up to $10,000 to cover costs associated with
a commemorative plaque and to purchase removable features for the space, such as
seating.
With regard to broader consultation on the dedication of the Duke Street Plaza, the Rotary
Club has coordinated various community endorsements supporting this request. Letters of
support received by the report submission deadline are attached as Attachment C. Subject
to council approval, a ceremony suitable to commemorate the naming and dedication of the
site would be coordinated in 2022.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Capital Budget — Project costs associated with the refurbishment of the Victoria Park Band
Stand would be covered by the sponsorship agreement between the City and the Rotary
Club of Kitchener, up to $100,000. The Rotary Club of Kitchener is also contributing $10,000
towards a commemorative plaque and enhancement amenities as outlined within this report.
Operating Budget — The recommendation has no impact on the Operating Budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of
the council / committee meeting.
COLLABORATE — City staff have worked closely with representatives of the Rotary Club to
identify and select both recognition projects.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
There are no previous reports/authorities related to this matter.
APPROVED BY: Denise McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
Page 69 of 104
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A — Submission by Rotary Club of Kitchener under MUN-FAC-475
Attachment B — The Rotary Club of Kitchener and the City of Kitchener — A Brief
History
Attachment C — Letters of Support for naming of Duke Street Plaza
Page 70 of 104
Rotary
of
Sen -ice above selfsince 1922
October 20, 2021
Kitchener Rotary
500 Hallmark Drive,
Waterloo, ON N2K 3135
kitchenerrota ry.ca
Christine Tarling
Director, Legislated Services & City Clerk
City of Kitchener
Dear Director Tarling,
1922.200
Kitchener Rotary
Re: Rotary Club of Kitchener 100th Anniversary — Renaming of Corporate Facilities
This letter is submitted in accordance with City of Kitchener policy MUN-FAC-475
NAMING/RENAMING - CORPORATE FACILITIES FOR COMMERATIVE OR NON -MONETARY
PURPOSES.
After many years of dedicated service, the Rotary Club of Kitchener will be celebrating its 100th
anniversary in 2022. To commemorate this special occasion, it is requested that an appropriate
City -owned asset be renamed to recognize the contributions of our club within the Kitchener
community.
Attached is a background document on our club's longstanding relationship with the City of
Kitchener. Thank you in advance for receiving our request. We look forward to dialogue about
next steps in this process.
Yours twly,
r�
A ri,-3n Decoo,
Bill Proctor
President 100th Anniversary Committee Chair
adriandecoo@rogers.com bill.proctor@bell.net
519-885-5786 519-570-2119
cc: Denise McGoldrick, General Manager of Infrastructure Services
Victoria Raab, General Manager of Corporate Services
The Rotary Club of Kitchener is an engaged community leader that supports the work of Rotary around the globe
with a local, city core, focus on community, families, and children In need. Page 71 of 104
Page 72 of 104
r
Club
'4.', of Kitchener
The Rotary Club of Kitchener
and the City of Kitchener
A Brief History
vLrvrea.ove t
1'92212ezz
Kitchener Rotary
The Rotary Club of Kitchener (originally called the Rotary Club of Kitchener -Waterloo) was
chartered on June 1, 1922 and since that time we have been an active support of the City of
Kitchener and its residents. Our longest serving activity is with children with special needs.
Indeed, it was at our meeting on December 18th, in our first year, that the decision was made
that the care and treatment of Crippled Children should be our first and major activity,
a focus of the Club that continues today and has been expanded to include supporting
children with different and multiple disabilities.
Here are a few of the historical highlights:
• In 1922, Alex Martin, a charter member of our Club represented our Club at the
formation meeting of the Ontario Society for Crippled Children in Windsor and
became a charter member of the Society and later it's President.
9 On July 9, 1923 the first annual clinic for disabled children began, organized by the club,
with members of the local medical profession as club guests.
On December 24, 1923 the practice of giving gifts to the Crippled Children was
inaugurated, a practice which continued for over 60 years.
In 1926 the International Society for Crippled Children held their annual meeting in
Kitchener with support from Rotary.
• From the late 1920's, through the early 1990's Kitchener Rotarians transported local
disabled children to Toronto and London for treatment.
In August of 1952 the Club arranged for a Mobile Cerebral Palsy Clinic to come to
Kitchener, a practice which continued for several years.
• Then in 1954 the first therapist was hired for the program and treatment centre
established at Kitchener -Waterloo hospital.
i In 1956, the North Waterloo Society for Crippled Children was formed with a mandate to
develop a permanent treatment facility. Local Rotarians raised $125,000 to buy land and
build the centre which was done entirely through donations with no government funding.
• In 1957 the Cornerstone for the KW Rotary Children's Centre on King Street across from
Grand River Hospital was laid by charter Club member, Lieutenant -Governor Louis
Page 73 of 104
Breithaupt and Clay Hall, the President of the Rotary Club of Kitchener -Waterloo (as it was
known at that time). The Centre was officially opened March 24th, 1958, with
Kitchener Mayor Stanley Leavine and Waterloo Mayor Harold Paikin officiating.
• Over the years Rotary continued its support in a variety of ways including organizing and
operating the annual Christmas and Spring Parties.
In 1986, the KidsAbility Board began planning for a new Children's Centre to accommodate
growth and increased demand. The Rotary Club of Kitchener pledged $150,000 towards
the $6.9 million cost of the new 50,000 square foot building which was officially opened on
September 29, 1995.
• Our financial support for KidsAbility continues to this day with an average annual donation
of $50,000. Since 1998 our total contribution exceeds $1,000,000.
Although our primary focus was on helping children with special needs our support for the City
continued to grow over the years. Highlights include:
• The creation of a Student Loan Fund, and support for the John Howard Society began in
1949-1950 and continued for several years.
• In 1951 we provided support for the Police Boys Sports Association.
In 1954 the Club embarked on an entirely new venture with the presentation of
Grand Opera in the Twin Cities. The purpose was to both serve as a cultural
community service and to encourage Canadian talent. La Boheme was presented
in Kitchener on March 10th, 1954 and in 1955 Die Fledermaus and La Traviata were
presented. These performances were staged at the Auditorium and it became
apparent that a hockey arena is not really suitable for this type of musical theatre. In
1965, when Mayor Hymmen formed a feasibility committee to study the need for an
arts centre, much was made of Rotary's attempt to bring this type of entertainment to
this area — a forward step leading to the building of The Centre In The Square.
+ In 1957 the Club began sponsoring and organizing the annual Central Ontario
Horse Show, which operated for over a decade.
In 1967, in recognition of the countries' centennial, the Club donated $25,000 to
each of St. Mary's Hospital and the K -W Hospital. Most significant, though, this
year, was that the Club spent $75,000 for the purchase of the Pentecostal
Tabernacle on Benton Street, which was then rented to the Kitchener -Waterloo Art
Gallery at a cost of $1.00 per year. This act saved the Gallery, previously housed in
a bicycle shed behind KW Collegiate, from disappearing altogether and enabled the
Gallery to expand in all facets of its operation, and with the installation of air-
conditioning it became equipped to handle any type of exhibit. Many Kitchener
Rotarians also volunteered to serve terms as Board members and several held the
office of gallery President.
Page 74 of 104
• In 1972, in honour of the Club's 5011 anniversary, the club pledged $50,000 for a
community residence for physically disabled adults in Waterloo County.
• In September 1980 President G.D. Phillips represented our Club at the official opening of
the Centre In The Square and in 1986 the Club was pleased to support the Art Gallery with
a donation of $50,000. In recognition of that support the Gallery named the space the
Rotary Gallery.
In the early 1990's the Club held a fund-raising gourmet dinner at the recently refurbished
Langdon Hall that raised $2,000 for the Kitchener Waterloo Hospital.
• In 1994 the Club presented Mayor Dominic Cardillo with an Honourary Paul Harris
Fellowship.
As we moved into the new millennium the Club's connection with, and support for, the City
grew even stronger. Our Club engaged in a visioning and strategic planning exercise through
which we developed the following mission statement:
The Rotary Club of Kitchener is a leading-edge community leader that supports the
work of Rotary around the globe with a local, city core, focus on community,
families, and children in need.
We believe we are fulfilling this mission with services and supports such as the following:
• On June 6, 2004 our Club along with the others in the area dedicated an International
Peace Park, located at RIM Park. It was a joint project between the Rotary Clubs and the
cities of Kitchener and Waterloo.
• With the creation of the Dom Cardillo trail in 2008 the Club became its stewards and do
trail cleanup activities twice annually.
We have participated in two Habitat For Humanity projects, the most recent in the
townhouse complex on Cherry Street.
• We sponsor a Rotary Interact Club at Cameron Heights C.I. and provide an annual "Service
Above Self" award to a deserving student at commencement.
• For many years our Grants and Allocations program has provided much needed funds to
local organizations. Over the past dozen years we have supported each of the following
with donations of between $500 and $4,000, an average of $10,000 per year:
o African Canadian Association of Waterloo Region
Anishnabeg Outreach
o Arts Computer Experience
c) Bereaved Families of ON — Midwestern Region
o Best Buddies
Page 75 of 104
Bluevale C.I. — Kenya School Build Project
�.; Cadet Youth Development Centre
Cameron H.C.I. Interact Club — Peru Water Project
o Camp Kummoniwannago
o Camp McGovern
o Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery
o Canadian Diabetes Association
o Canadian Mental Health Association — Grand River Branch
o Children's International Summer Village
o Computers for Schools — Ontario
o Engineers Without Borders — KW
o Family & Children's Services — Waterloo Region
o Food Bank of Waterloo Region
o Green Light Arts
c. Hidden Acres Camp
c Huntington's Society of Canada
a Independent Living Centre
o JM Drama
c, Junior Achievement
o Kidney Foundation of Canada — K -W
KidSport Kitchener Waterloo
o K -W Musical Productions
,o K -W Pregnancy Resource Centre
* K -W Symphony
r Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support
o Muslim Social Services — Kitchener -Waterloo
o Out of The Cold
o Queensmount Public School — Environment Club
o Raja Stone Community Safety Net
c Ray of Hope
Registry Theatre
ROOF
r St. Monica House
o Steckly Heritage Farms
o Strong Start Charitable Organization
o Waterloo Region 4H Club
o Waterloo -Wellington Science & Engineering Fair
For our 90th anniversary in 2012 we wanted to make a significant contribution to a needy
organization in the community and invited proposals. We selected the House of Friendship
Women's Addiction Centre project and awarded them $90,000. We followed this with two
Page 76 of 104
hands-on activities building the outdoor patio area for the new women's shelter on Anne
Street.
When Anselma House built their new facility on Heritage Drive, our Club, along with the
other Kitchener Rotary Clubs each donated $5,000 to create a Computer/Study Room for
older children of women staying at the shelter.
Seeing a need to help youth get a better understanding of, and the importance of, local
municipal government our Club initiated a project called the Youth Forum. Working with
teachers of the Grade 10 Civics course, city counsillors and staff, the program has
counsillors visit classrooms to talk about what municipal government does and does not
do; students develop proposals as to what needs to be done to improve life in the city and
then attend a morning session at city hall to present their ideas to the members of Council
and Rotarians. While at city hall the students attend a presentation in council chambers
led by the mayor.
In 2014 our Club lead a joint committee with the other Rotary clubs to organize a tribute
event to outgoing mayor, Carl Zehr; with tributes from Governor General David Johnston
and local dignitaries. The event was not intended to be a fund raiser but income over
expenses was directed to Carl's designated retirement project and we were able to
contribute $300 to the Kitchener Public Library.
CP We have worked with the City on several tree planting projects, most recently in Lakeside
Park and in the Huron Natural Area.
• For the past four years we have organized and operated a refreshment area at city hall
during the annual First Night celebrations on News Year Eve.
For three years we have been active participants in the Nutrition For Learning Program at
Forest Hill P.S. We provided funds for the purchase of a freezer for the program and now
also volunteer two days a week filling the food bins that get delivered to the classrooms.
For the past two years we have volunteered at the annual SoupFest at The Ken Seiling
Waterloo Regional Museum in support of the Children's Ground Water Festival.
• Most recently our Club has donated $5,000 to the Outdoor Gym Equipment project in
Victoria Park. We have also taken on the task of managing the onsite entry, marshalling of
cars at Victoria Park and the parking of cars on King Street for the city's annual Cruisin' On
King Street Event.
In addition to the work we do locally we have been involved in many humanitarian
international projects such as Community and Day Care Centres for Aids Orphans in South
Africa, Health and Literacy projects in Guatemala; and Health and Nutrition projects in Nogales
and Caborca, Mexico. It is common in these locations for plaques to be erected in recognition
of those responsible for the support and the name of KITCHENER is proudly displayed in many
of these appreciative communities around the world.
Page 77 of 104
Our Club has been involved with Rotary Youth Exchange for many decades and over the years
we have had one or two international students hosted in our city for a full year. They attended
school, explored our city, region and province, and returned home ambassadors for our city.
As the Club attracted more members and grew over the years we have split several times and
have sponsored three additional Rotary Clubs in Kitchener — Kitchener Conestoga, Kitchener
Grand River and Kitchener Westmount. Each of these has supported the city and its residents it
many different ways.
As we continue with many of the supports and activities listed above we are also looking to
become even more directly involved with the local community. We are in the process of
contacting many organizations and agencies to offer our support for hands-on volunteer work.
So far we have potential projects with the House of Friendship - repainting rooms in the
Women's Shelter and building a patio for the new Men's Shelter; the Food Bank - sorting food,
and REEF Energy Solutions — creating Rain Gardens.
Page 78 of 104
KidsAbMEy1-
November
7, 2021
City of Kitchener Councillors,
c/o City of Kitchener
200 King Street West
Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
To Whom It May Concern
In 1957 the organization we know today as KidsAbility was founded and supported by local
Rotarians who were dedicated to helping children and youth with disabilities achieve their full
potential. The doors opened for the first time at the K -W Rotary Children's Centre on King
Street in Kitchener.
Rotary's journey in serving kids with disabilities locally began in the 1920s. During those
formative years between 1922 to 1957, Rotary Club members organized medical clinics,
transported children to Toronto hospitals when they couldn't be seen locally, and fundraised to
buy equipment and pay for medical services. Rotarians knew that a local and permanent facility
was needed for this growing community.
In the ensuing decades, the dedication and support of the Rotary Club of Kitchener has been
responsible for thousands of children being able to achieve their potential.
KidsAbility has been the annual beneficiary of the Rotary Club's successful Car Draw lottery.
Their significant financial support over the decades has helped thousands of children in our
community to walk, talk and achieve milestones.
The Rotary Club of Kitchener has also provided moral support to kids and their families
volunteering in numerous activities such as the Rotary Fun Day where the five Rotary Clubs
organized an annual day of fun outdoor activities for families who use our services,
volunteering at KidsAbility's annual "Oh Christmas Free" events that provided a day of respite
for families while their kids enjoyed visits with Santa and other festive activities.
Without a doubt, our community and the City of Kitchener is a better place to live, work and
play thanks to the support of local Rotarians including the Rotary Club of Kitchener and its
members who work diligently to ensure a brighter future for all children and youth in our
It is our distinct pleasure to endorse the Rotary Club of Kitchener's request to name the
gardens, outdoor art installations, and seating areas at the Duke Street elevation of Kitchener
City Hall the Rotary Plaza. Indeed, this would be a fitting tribute to the contribution of the Club
to our community over the past century!
Sincerely,
["Mr -420
Linda Kenny
CEO, KidsAbility
Lisa Talbot
Executive Director, KidsAbility Foundation
6tHouse of
Friendship
Building a Healthy Community
Where Everyone Can Belong and Thrive
Nov. 12, 2021
Dear members of Kitchener City Council:
51 Charles Street East, Kitchener, ON N2G 2P3
tel: 514-742-8327 1 admin@houseoffriendship.org
www.houseoffriendship.org
It is my honour and privilege to offer our support for the Rotary Club of Kitchener to be formally
recognized by the renaming of the Duke Street elevation at Kitchener City Hall as Rotary Plaza. This
certainly is a testament to the legacy of the Rotary Club of Kitchener, and the ways that they have
served this community over the last 100 years.
Over many years at House of Friendship, we have enjoyed the support of the Rotary Club of Kitchener,
helping to ensure that everyone can belong and thrive in Waterloo Region. The members of Rotary
Club of Kitchener have been constant, faithful supporters through generous donations. Their members
group made an incredible donation to show their support for our residential addiction treatment
centre on Ann Street in Kitchener through the Under One Roof campaign. Their donation was a
landmark donation that inspired others to get involved in this project.
Personally, I walk through the downtown core regularly, and always enjoy the sitting area and lights on
Duke Street behind City Hall. I will be honoured to sit there and feel the community spirit embodied
there as it becomes the Rotary Plaza.
With gratitude,
John Neufeld
Executive Director
House of Friendship
Page 81 of 104
November 10, 2021
Rotary Club of Kitchener - A Valued Partner In Our Community!
To Kitchener City Council
Part of what makes Kitchener a wonderful community to live and work, are those caring
individuals and groups who provide selfless service to others. Sharing their time, talents and
resources, The Rotary Club of Kitchener exemplifies these traits and is a leader in our
community.
Grand River Hospital has been a recipient of the generosity of the Rotary Club and it's
members. We have a number of dedicated Rotarians who volunteer at the hospital - a
Rotarian's smile and compassion is evident with patients and staff alike.
Without caring community partners like the Rotary Club of Kitchener, our hospital could not
provide exceptional care for some many, so close to home. Their generosity is no more evident
than the gifts totalling over over $100,000 over the years to various programs and equipment.
This has left a lasting imprint on Grand River Hospital.
That's why Grand River Hospital is thrilled to support the proposal before City Council of
having the Duke Street elevation be named Rotary Plaza. What a wonderful gesture this would
be to recognize all the selfless support and leadership our local Rotary has provided over the
last 100 years to Kitchener.
On behalf of the 5,000 staff, 1,000 volunteers and over 18,000 individual donors, corporations
and organizations that support our hospital, we fully back the Rotary Plaza!
IK -
Paul McIntyre Royston
CEO
519-504-4535
pmr@grhf.ca
'*,-,
82 of 104
GRAND RIVER HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
,A,
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835 King Street West
CARP.
Kitchener ON, N2G 1 G3
NEVER •
519-749-4205
Charitable Registration # 88918 0394 RR 0001
STOPS•
grhf.ca @careneverstops
November 10, 2021
Rotary Club of Kitchener - A Valued Partner In Our Community!
To Kitchener City Council
Part of what makes Kitchener a wonderful community to live and work, are those caring
individuals and groups who provide selfless service to others. Sharing their time, talents and
resources, The Rotary Club of Kitchener exemplifies these traits and is a leader in our
community.
Grand River Hospital has been a recipient of the generosity of the Rotary Club and it's
members. We have a number of dedicated Rotarians who volunteer at the hospital - a
Rotarian's smile and compassion is evident with patients and staff alike.
Without caring community partners like the Rotary Club of Kitchener, our hospital could not
provide exceptional care for some many, so close to home. Their generosity is no more evident
than the gifts totalling over over $100,000 over the years to various programs and equipment.
This has left a lasting imprint on Grand River Hospital.
That's why Grand River Hospital is thrilled to support the proposal before City Council of
having the Duke Street elevation be named Rotary Plaza. What a wonderful gesture this would
be to recognize all the selfless support and leadership our local Rotary has provided over the
last 100 years to Kitchener.
On behalf of the 5,000 staff, 1,000 volunteers and over 18,000 individual donors, corporations
and organizations that support our hospital, we fully back the Rotary Plaza!
IK -
Paul McIntyre Royston
CEO
519-504-4535
pmr@grhf.ca
'*,-,
82 of 104
KITCNENER-WATERLOO
ART GALLERY
November 1, 2021
RE: LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR ROTARY CLUB OF KITCHENER
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I am pleased to write this letter in support of the Rotary Club of Kitchener in light of its 100th
year of generosity and giving to its community.
The Rotary Club of Kitchener has been a great friend and supporter of The Kitchener -Waterloo
Art Gallery. The Club's passion and belief in the impact of the arts on a community's well-being
has been evident throughout the years.
As KWAG reaches its 66th anniversary, I hearken back to 1960 when the Rotary Club of Kitchener
purchased the Pentecostal Tabernacle on Benton Street and rented it to the Gallery for
$1.00/annually. The Gallery was in desperate need of a permanent and better space, moving
from a small bicycle shed behind Kitchener Collegiate to the refurbished church space. Then,
from the Gallery's move from Benton Street to the current purpose-built building within Centre
in the Square, the Rotary Club once again came forward with a generous donation to the Rotary
Education Centre and Vault at the Gallery as well as contributing to the renovation of the
Community Access Space.
It is important to note that such contributions are much more than financial support towards
building. It is what happens within the building. The Rotary helped a community have access to
the arts, assisted the Gallery in supporting artists and encouraging creative thinking for youth
through education and workshops, offering a safe and welcoming place for all visitors to engage
with each other socially through the art experience.
The Gallery is continually grateful for the support they have provided us.
Sincerely,
r
Shirley Madill
Executive Director
101 Queen St N, Kitchener ON N2H 6P7
519.579.5860 519.578.0740 mail a kwag.on.ca KWAG.CA Page 83 of 104
aww CA. Ewilw
563 Krug Street
Kitchener, ON N2B 1L8
519.496.4585
cheryl(a cherylaewing.ca
November 11, 2021
To Mayor Vrbanovic and Members of Council
I would like to express my support of the Rotary Club of Kitchener's request that a city
asset be named in recognition of the positive impact the club has had within, and on
behalf of the City of Kitchener. From the founding of Kidsability in 1957 as the K -W
Rotary Children's Centre to an international impact through projects and the eradication
of polio, members of the club have proudly carried the name of Kitchener with them as
they work to better the world.
For over 20 years, I have represented the City of Kitchener and the Kitchener Rotary Club
on a project based in Nogales, Mexico. Over the years 1,000's of Christmas gifts have
been given to children of families unable to properly celebrate Three King's Day. The
project quickly expanded to include grocery staples, blankets, and winter coats. The City
of Nogales and the State of Sonora began contributing to the project about 10 years in.
As relationships were built, the project expanded to include the building of water
fountains in schools where children had no access to drinking water. We have
refurbished school desks resulting in more children being able to attend school, provided
a commercial oven to a community centre allowing local women to produce baked
goods to sell on behalf of their family, supported a young man o the verge of dropping
out of college in order to support his family, leading to a very productive and successful
engineering career. The club has facilitated an ambulance being delivered to the
Nogales Fire Fighters, a critical gift as the community of 250,000 is protected primarily
by volunteer firefighters. We have also supported the firefighters with the gift of walkie
talkies, safety vests, and firefighting gear. In the last two years support through the
purchase of PPE, defibrillators and oxygen tanks have continued. City of Kitchener pens
and pins have made the annual trip to Nogales and are coveted by Nogales Rotarians
and firefighters. This particular project is unique in its longevity and the building of long-
standing friendships
I believe that the Rotary Club of Kitchener reflects the values of the City of Kitchener and
is deserving of recognition as an essential partner in the health of our community. Thank
you for your consideration.
Cheryl A Ewing
Page 84 of 104
29 Summit Ave.
Kitchener, ON
N2M4W4
October 26, 2021
To Whom it May Concern:
I have been a resident of Kitchener since 1961 and a Rotarian since 1995. For twelve years, I chaired the
International Service Committee and supervised numerous oversea projects where we joined with Rotary Clubs
in Canada, USA, South Africa and Guatemala.
In 1993, HIV/AIDS was rampant in Africa. There were 1 million AIDS orphans in South Africa - approximately
400,000 in KwaZulu Natal alone. This is equivalent to having 50,000 orphans in a typical Rotary District like
ours. Most of these orphans were only supported by grandmothers. South African Rotarians created numerous
community development care centres (CDCC) to support these grandmothers and orphans. Kitchener Rotarians
helped fund 16 centres with matching funds from the Rotary Foundation and C.I.D.A. Today these centres
survive and in most cases are self-supporting. Each centre has a sign recognizing the contribution from
Kitchener. This was observed when a group of Rotarians visited the projects in South Africa.
In the hills of Guatemala, the Indian population was neglected by the central government. Each year a
doctor/Rotarian from Michigan would go there and run clinics. His wife, a librarian, started a literacy program
for the schools and community, primarily by providing reading materials and training. Our club supported this
program with the Rotary Club of Rochester, Michigan. Their club invited two Kitchener Rotarians to be
recognized at their meeting.
Most of us are too old to remember a previous pandemic, namely polio. The program to eradicate polio from the
world was initiated by Rotarians and is now funded by World Health and the Gates Foundation, as well as
Rotary. There are only two countries in the world that are now not completely free of polio. Three of our club
Rotarians participated in the National Polio Immunization Day in India, helping to inoculate children in the
Lucknow area.
In this our 100`h year, we are highlighting Rotary's work both in our community and beyond. Because of these
commitments we have no problem supporting local projects in our 100`' year.
Sincerely,
,f
F�9! .�
Davi Martindale
Page 85 of 104
Samples of Plaques and Signs Featuring The Rotary Club of Kitchener
1000 HILLS COMMUNITY
HELPERS SOUL
Ikhaya Lo Thando —7
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CARE CENTRE
Sponsored by
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
SOUL OF AFRICA TRUST
DISTRICT 7080, CANADA
DISTRICT 9270, SOUTH AFRICA
ROTARY CLUB OF KITCHENER, CANADA
ROTARY CLUB OF INCHANGA-A 1000 HILLS
1 5. •
Child Development Care Centre South Africa
k1amiil
Ambulance, Nogales, Mexico
17
SUNNYDALE CARE
CHILD DEVELOPN IENT
CENTRE SQL;
4'00-i"4sponsored by
�D0 THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
a THE SOUL OF AFRICA TRUST
THE UMLALAZI MUNICIPALITY
ROTARY DISTRICT 7080, CANADA
ROTARY DISTRICT 9270, SOUTH AFRICA
ROTARY DISTRICT 1190, GREAT BRITAIN
THE ROTARY CLUB OF SOGNDAL5 NORWA
THE THE ROTARY CLUB OF KITCNENER, CAN
THE ROTA gy � g13 O
of ESHOWF-, SOUTH A R
KESWICK� GREAT BRIT
Child Development Care Centre, South Africa
Page 86 of 104
WWW.WCSWr.org
Adrian DeCoo, President Rotary Club of Kitchener
Bill Proctor, Chair 100`h Anniversary Committee
1808 - 20 Barrel Yards Boulevard
Waterloo N21- OC3
Dear Adrian & Bill,
oovinh
Women's Crisis Services
of Waterloo Region
a
I write on behalf of Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, in support of the Rotary Club of
Kitchener's proposal for the naming of Rotary Plaza in the downtown Kitchener area. 100 years of
service to our community is a momentous milestone, one worthy of celebration and recognition.
You are proposing that the gardens, outdoor art installations, and seating areas at the Duke
Street elevation of Kitchener City Hall be named Rotary Plaza and we are in full support.
As an organization focused on providing safe space for individuals in crisis, we know that home is
not safe for everyone. This proposal will create an attractive, pedestrian friendly safe space and
encourage community gathering for thousands in the downtown area. Rotary Club has been
bringing the community together for over 100 years, and the naming of Rotary Plaza is a great
testament to your legacy and continued work within the community and surrounding areas.
Rotary Club of Kitchener has supported Women's Crisis Services and the women and children we
serve for many years. Rotarians have made many contributions to our organization by helping
with countless fundraising initiatives donating time and funds, and continually demonstrating your
commitment to helping eradicate domestic violence in our community. We are grateful for your
support and commitment to helping women and children move beyond violence.
Congratulations on celebrating 100 years of service to the City of Kitchener and surrounding
areas. We believe this project will greatly benefit the community and encourage gatherings for
many in the downtown area. We look forward to many gatherings at Rotary Plaza.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Hutton
Chief Executive Officer
Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
FOREST HILL
PUBLIC SCHOOL
255 Westmount Road East, Kitchener, ON N2M 4Z2 Phone 519.578.5480 Fax 519.578.5460
November 10, 2021
To whom it may concern:
Please accept this letter of appreciation and support for the Rotary Club of Kitchener and
the Kitchener Rotary Plaza proposal.
Support from the Rotary Club has been an important part of our Nutrition for Learning
program here at Forest Hill. Rotary fundraising enabled us to purchase a large -capacity
freezer for the program. In addition, Rotarians volunteered weekday mornings to help get
our daily Snack Packs ready for distribution to each of our classes.
The financial and hands-on support support provided by the Rotary Club have been
important to the success of this program serving approximately 450 students each and
every day.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Brad Hughes
Principal
Page 88 of 104