About Phase 1

We contracted Jay Pitter Placemaking to lead the first phase of this work. The agency developed a comprehensive business case with some elements of a master plan. The scope of this work included but was not limited to the following:

• Leading a series of story-based and broader community engagement initiatives
• Facilitating community design charettes
• Developing high-level design guidelines and concept sketches
• Conducting a site and neighbourhood analysis, and
• Developing an economic and sustainability plan to guide the expansion of the site.

Ms. Pitter and her team were deeply invested in the community centre's distinct grassroots history. They coordinated with:

• City of Kitchener staff
• Local neighbourhood associations and community groups
• Individuals and families living in the neighbourhood, and
• Broader City of Kitchener stakeholder groups.

Community members had many opportunities to participate in the process through local walks, sharing stories about the community centre and contributing design ideas. The main questions that guided this process included:

• What's most important to you about the community centre?
• How can the centre and its outdoor spaces enhance quality of life for all community members?
• What physical, social and/or economic barriers do you experience when accessing the community centre?
• How can the community centre expansion accommodate existing community members while welcoming future community members?

Thank you to those who took part. Your contributions will have an impact on the programs, services, indoor and outdoor spaces at the centre for years to come.