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Kitchener-Waterloo

Taskforce recommends top five spots for Cambridge multiplex

The Cambridge multiplex taskforce has submitted its final report with the top five recommended locations for the proposed sports facility. Council is expected to make a decision in early 2017.

Properties on Pinebush Road, Hespeler Road listed as top spots

CBC News ·
Cambridge city council is expected to make a final decision about the location of the proposed multiplex in January or February. The multiplex taskforce will present its final report to council on Monday. (City of Cambridge)

A taskforce that has been reviewing locations for the proposed Cambridge multiplex has filed its final report that ranks the top five choices.

Two locations tied for the top spot in the site scoring results. The first location is 23.4 acres at 220 Pinebush Road in Cambridge's north end. It is made up of three parcels of land which total 23.4 acres, all owned by the same individual. 

The second top location is 17 acres at 261 Hespeler Road, the former industrial property which housed the Grand River Flea Market.

The top spot recommended by the Cambridge multiplex tastkforce is 220 Pinebush Rd. (Google Maps)

The third spot was 35 acres at 112 Pinebush Road, followed by 20.7 acres at the north corner of Franklin Boulevard and Savage Drive.

The fifth spot was 850 Fountain Street South, which has 26 acres with the ability to expand, is not far from the original location, on lands leased from Conestoga College.

Another location, 1001 Franklin Boulevard, was ranked second, but was removed from the list. It's a city-owned property that is leased to Buckingham Sports Inc. Cancelling that lease would mean financial compensation from the city to Buckingham Sports and the closer of two ice surfaces that the company currently runs in that location.
A former industrial property at 261 Hespeler Rd., had the same overall score as the 220 Pinebush Rd., location. (Google Maps)

Council to make decision early next year

A taskforce was launched in May after public outcry over a decision to place the multiplex on lands owned by Conestoga College.

Residents said the site was too far away and would better serve Kitchener residents than Cambridge taxpayers.
The taskforce ranked six locations based on certain criteria. 1001 Franklin Blvd. was removed from the list because it is already leased to a company that runs a sports facility, including ice pads. (Report to council)

The taskforce considered more than 30 locations for the multiplex.

The taskforce ranked the locations based on a set of criteria:

  • Community impact.
  • Level of cost.
  • Degree of access.
  • Site size and expansion potential.
  • Timing.
The members also took public input into consideration.
The original site for the proposed Cambridge multiplex is highlighted in pink. (Report to Cambridge City Council)

"Through the open houses, online survey and open public meetings, the taskforce heard a great deal about the factors that are most important to Cambridge residents with respect to the question of location," the final report said.

Cambridge council will receive the report Monday and it is expected councillors will then set a meeting for early next year to review the taskforce's findings and decide on a location for the multiplex.

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