PDF Download - Exchange Magazine

WATERCOOLERPublic pressure seems to have saved The Boathouseas a venue for musical performances in Kitchener.Operator Kevin Doyle is shown at right.IN RESPONSE TO OVERWHELMING support forThe Boathouse as an importantpiece of the arts and culture scene indowntown Kitchener, city councilsupported the continued use of thecity-owned facility as a venue forindependent live music, provided a series of terms are met by the current operator.“I think it’s fair to say that in my 16-plus years here around this horseshoe, I’ve rarelyseen the passion and the community support this... has brought about,” said Ward 2Coun. Berry Vrbanovic. “There is no question, this is a complicated issue. But it’sabout more than just a building or an indie music venue; it’s about a sense of place, it’sabout a passion for music and it’s about the Bohemian spirit that lives within The Boathouse.I’m also hopeful that what has transpired here tonight has created an opportunityfor us to harness this energy and continue to grow our arts and culture cluster in andaround our downtown.”By supporting a motion moved by Ward 9 Coun. Frank Etherington, council directedcity staff to negotiate mutually satisfactory lease arrangements with the current operatorof The Boathouse, including length of lease, operating terms and a monthly leaserate, provided the current operator maintains timely license payments until the temporaryclosure of the venue through the duration of the upcoming Victoria Park Lakeimprovement project.Kevin Doyle, owner of the Boathouse establishment, had been renting the facilityfrom the city on a month-by-month basis for the last number of years.In the event satisfactory terms of a lease cannot be reached, staff will develop anopen process to invite expressions of interests for an operator for a live-music venue atthe Boathouse.“We believe that it is fair to provide the current operator with this opportunity beforeit is opened to a public process, on the basis that the current operator built the businessand has achieved much success and support from the music community as well as thecommunity as a whole,” said Carla Ladd, Kitchener’s chief administrative officer.Staff will also include the community, the Victoria Parkworking group and the Victoria Park neighbourhoodassociation in all discussions around the future use ofThe Boathouse building.“This is a call to action, for the community and for themusic industry to be supportive, to really get behind thefuture of The Boathouse, whatever shape that takes,”said Mayor Carl Zehr, noting there may be future costsassociated with any necessary operational improvementsor renovations recommended for the facility.Michael Lee-Chin38 | w w w . e x c h a n g e m a g a z i n e . c o mRENOWNED BUSINESSMAN, investor and philanthropist MichaelLee-Chin has been appointed chancellor of Wilfrid LaurierUniversity. The appointment has been unanimouslyapproved by Laurier’s Board of Governors, with theunanimous support of the Senate, effective Oct. 28, 2011PHOTO: KITCHENER-WATERLOO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSat an official installation ceremony at theuniversity’s fall convocation. Lee-Chinsucceeds John A. Pollock, who hasserved as Laurier’s chancellor sinceMarch 31, 2008.“Michael Lee-Chin epitomizes Laurier’sinstitutional proposition of inspiring livesof leadership and purpose,” said MaxBlouw, Laurier’s president and vicechancellor.“His internationally recognizedachievements in the business andinvestment arenas are matched by hisastonishing record of philanthropic work.He is an ideal choice for this key role asthe university celebrates its centennialand lays the groundwork for a bold andinfluential second century.”Blouw also thanked Chancellor Pollockfor his contributions to the university.“John Pollock has been a strong advocatefor Laurier in the role of chancellor,and he has delighted in his connectionwith our students,” Blouw said. “I wouldlike to express my sincere gratitude tohim for his unflagging belief in the importanceof post-secondary education, andfor his leadership and hard work onbehalf of the university.”Lee-Chin is Laurier’s eighth chancellorsince the university became a publicinstitution in 1973. As chancellor, Lee-Chin will be a member of the Board ofGovernors and Senate, and will serve onthe Senate honorary degree committeeand the Board development committee.He will also preside over graduation ceremoniesand will officially bestow alldegrees and diplomas. Chancellors of theuniversity generally serve for a term offour years and may be appointed to asecond term.“It is a great honour and a pleasure forme to accept this position as Laurier’schancellor,” Lee- Chin said. “I have beenimpressed by the university and by thetrack record and energy of its people. Ilook forward to doing whatever I can inmy new role to help the university continueto build its reputation, differentiateitself from other universities, and do agreat job of meeting students’ needs inthe 21st century.”PREM WATSA, ONE OF CANADA’S top business leaders,has been re-elected by the universitysenate as chancellor of the University ofWaterloo. Watsa, chairman and CEO ofFairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., willserve a second three-year term, beginningMay 1, 2012. As Waterloo’s ninthchancellor, Watsa presides over convocationceremonies, conferring degrees,