Kitchener's Civic Square renamed for Mayor Carl Zehr

Kitchener's Civic Square, the public space in front of city hall that hosts food trucks, Blues Festival audiences and a skating rink in the winter, has been renamed in honour of the city's longest-serving mayor, Carl Zehr. 

Zehr was first elected to the mayor's office in 1997 and is stepping down this year after 17 years at the helm. Before his time as mayor, Zehr was a city councillor from 1984 to 1994, so in total he served the city as an elected official for 26 years. 

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The square will officially become Carl Zehr Square on December 1, when the new Kitchener city council takes office. Berry Vrbanovic, previously a city councillor, will be Kitchener's new mayor. 

In news release, the city's chief administrative officer, Jeff Willmer, said the tribute was fitting for Zehr, who had worked hard to revitalize Kitchener's downtown and involve citizens in local government. 

The square was built in 1993.