HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-07-098 - Hanson Ave Athletic Complex Street Naming
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Community Services
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Prepared By:
Ward(s) Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
Community Services Committee
November 5, 2007
Keith Baulk, Director, Enterprise Division, 2393
Places to Play Campaign Cabinet
all
October 9, 2007
CSD-07-098
HANSON AVENUE ATHLETIC COMPLEX STREET NAMING
RECOMMENDATION:
Notwithstanding Clause 2.7 of the City's Street Naming Policy, that Hanson Avenue from
the Hayward/Hanson intersection and the future extension of that street to Block Line
Road, be named 'Lennox Lewis Way'; and,
That Legal Services and Legislative Services be instructed to prepare the necessary by-
law and proceed with the legal name change process; and further;
That the City of Kitchener's Uniform Traffic By-Law be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
Council directed the sports partners to undertake a $2 million capital campaign to assist in
funding the $19.5 million Hanson Athletic Complex.
The sports partners engaged a community based fundraising team of volunteers and a
fundraising firm, Campaign Coaches, to carry out the campaign. The campaign is branded
"Places to Play".
The Places to Play Campaign team has an interest in further enhancing the site by proposing a
name change for the street running through the site.
REPORT:
Lennox Lewis grew up in the City of Kitchener and through his athletic exploits has achieved
world wide fame and recognition. He still considers Kitchener as his hometown and has been
very supportive of the sport of boxing in this community. He has volunteered as an Honorary
Campaign Chair for the Places to Play fundraising campaign.
The Campaign team is in support of the report recommendation that would result in a small
section of Hanson Avenue and the future extension of that road to be named 'Lennox Lewis
Way'. Lennox Lewis won an Olympic gold medal in boxing and then became the World
CSD-07-098
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Heavyweight Champion. The campaign cabinet is advocating for this recognition as a way of
recognizing his significant achievements, especially since the street is the access to the City's
first permanent boxing facility. However the recommendation is related to more than just Lewis'
athletic achievements. The campaign team, in working with Lewis, has also discovered that he
embodies the characteristics that make him a role model to many of our young boxers.
Lennox Lewis Accomplishments
Lennox Lewis won a number of world amateur championships while a resident of Kitchener
including an Olympic gold medal for Canada at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
Later on, as a professional, he became the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion and is
often mentioned with the likes of Joe Lewis, Muhammad AIi, Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson
as one of the greatest champions of all time.
Attached as Appendix #1 is a biography outlining Lewis' achievements and history.
Also attached as Appendix #2 is an outline of the proposed road section to be named after
Lewis. It runs from the current Hayward/Hanson intersection and will eventually link with the
future Block Line Road extension. The road primarily will service St. Mary's High School, Peter
Hallman Ballyard and the Hanson Athletic Complex. Only one business is located on the
section of the road to be renamed. The owner of the business has been canvassed and he has
no issues with the street being renamed in recognition of Lennox Lewis.
The Campaign Team has been in contact with Lewis and he is supportive and appreciative of
the street naming proposal.
It should be noted that the proposal to name the street is contrary to the City's Street Naming
Policy, Clause 2.7, that indicates continuous streets shall be the same name except where they
are intersected by an arterial road. However, the City's Traffic Division and General Manager of
DTS have no objections because of the uniqueness of this proposal.
Campaign Chair Peter Benninger will speak in support of the recommendation to name the
street.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None as it applies to this recommendation.
CONCLUSION:
The Campaign Team is advocating to name the street running through the sports complex
Lennox Lewis Way to honour his lifetime achievements and world wide fame.
Keith Baulk
Director, Enterprise Division
AP