For first time in 18 months, no one is living on the island in Kitchener's Victoria Park
Woman living on island until recently was not evicted, city says
For the first time in 18 months, the island in Kitchener's Victoria Park does not have anyone living on it.
Known as Roos Island, the area of the park became the site of an encampment in July 2022 as part of a protest by the group Fightback K-W. People have lived on the island ever since. At its height, there were more than 60 tents at the encampment.
On Tuesday, the city confirmed the final individual living on the island has left.
"We have connected with community partners and can confirm that this person has appropriate care and shelter," the city said in an emailed statement to CBC Kitchener-Waterloo. "This individual was not evicted from Roos Island."
As of Tuesday, security remained on site and the island is closed to the public.
History of encampment
The organizers of the original encampment said it was placed on the island on purpose. Organizer Julian Ichim told CBC News in July 2022 it was a strategic choice.
"People care when it's in their face," Ichim said.
"By bringing poverty here, we're bringing the struggle, the class struggle here, where people have their weddings, where people have things where they can't turn a blind eye and pretend that the horrors don't exist."
The protest happened after a point-in-time count in September 2021 found close to 1,100 people were homeless in Waterloo region. Regional officials have said a similar point-in-time survey is expected to take place later this year.
Since that original protest, there have been other developments at the island:
- In January 2023, people gathered on the island after word spread that people could be evicted from the island. The city says bylaw officers didn't issue eviction notices. Instead, notices were left that warned some tents would be removed because they appeared to be empty or abandoned.
- In March 2023, the city closed Heritage Bridge, one of two bridges to the island. The city said it was because the bridge needed a comprehensive inspection due to structural concerns.
- In April 2023, there were six people living on the island. The city put security guards on the island and installed fencing to prevent anyone from going onto the island except for the people who were living there and people working to support them. Some people gathered to protest this move by the city.
- In November 2023, the city announced the island would remain closed until this spring for restoration work on Heritage Bridge and the bandstand on the island. The city says the bandstand will undergo structural, electrical and landscape upgrades.
It's expected work will be completed next spring, which a partial reopening anticipated in early spring that will include public access to the pathway through the island.
When the work is completed, the city says a concert series will be held on the island to celebrate.