Boathouse music venue set to re-open on New Year’s Eve
Posted Nov 10, 2014 11:16:02 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
After being closed for the past 14 months, the Boathouse music venue in Kitchener’s Victoria Park is set to open for business on New Year’s Eve.
Operator Bill McTavish told 570 News he jumped at the chance to take it over last November when the city solicited bids from interested parties. “I talked to many people about just how historic the Boathouse is and how sad we were to lose it and some had money and were willing to invest in me and that’s how we got involved. It was just kind of like a passion project.”
McTavish says there will be more seating at the renovated venue, which will allow for more money to be spent on top-notch entertainment. “We’ve put in a lot of work to open the space up, which will create more business, which will allow more guests to come in, bigger bands, and it does allow for a lot more flexibility, I guess, with what we’re doing with it.”
He adds however, the club will continue to focus on offering local bands a place to perform. “Bands that have played their previously or that have wanted to play there. Local is definitely going to be a big focus for what we’re doing, but we are also hoping to create a space where touring bands can come in.”
The Boathouse has undergone extensive renovations, including the ripping out of walls to allow for additonal seating.
McTavish says he was driven to keep the venue alive because he and many others consider it to be a cultural landmark.
