This design reflects one possible option to integrate a secondary school on the Memorial Centre lands. It proposes a new shared educational and public/community facility supporting the renewal and expanded use of this expansive public property. In its current configuration the Memorial Centre site offers the potential to serve a greater public benefit through reinvestment in areas of the site that are deteriorating and therefore not well used. The opportunity presented here helps to visualize how the existing key features and functions of the property could be reimagined and integrated with a $36 million provincially funded investment in a modern secondary school facility. The new secondary school would service Kingston’s central area neighbourhoods while providing expanded community uses and facilities to support the renewal and expanded use of the Memorial Centre lands.
Click on image to enlarge.
A key feature of the plan includes an independent building to house the academic and school administrative functions and a second building containing the school’s arts and physical education facilities, cafeteria, and other social/programming spaces in addition to the preservation of the existing Memorial Centre arena and aquatic park facilities. The objective of the design is to separate the academic and administrative spaces to facilitate use of the arts, recreational facilities, and programming spaces during non-school hours such as evenings, weekends, and holiday times. This expanded model for shared educational and community facilities is becoming a standard for new school facility design and use as a means to better utilize public resources.
Key features of the proposal include:
- Independent classrooms and school administration building;
- Integrated community spaces, indoor sports facilities, and performance auditorium;
- School cafeteria hosting catered functions and events outside of school hours;
- Multi-sport turf field and track facility including night lighting, bleacher seating, and restrooms open to the community during non-school hours;
- Multi-sized program rooms and studio spaces accommodating non-school hour arts and recreation programming;
- New spaces for arts and culture exhibition and celebration;
- 1 acre off-leash dog park;
- New pathways, tree canopy, and reclaimed green space;
- Outdoor courtyard and gathering space including farmers’ market pavilion;
- Continued and enhanced usage of existing ice rink and aquatic facilities;
- Preservation of the historic Memorial Centre arena;
- Preservation of Memorial Park including Memorial Wall and related features; and
- Relocation of agricultural exhibition to begin a new tradition of local agricultural celebration at Grass Creek Park.
Kingston Memorial Secondary School & Community Facilities 
This is fabulous. What a progressive concept, and one that shows full use of the facility, and a true partnership.
If you want this or other concept designs explored, contact your City Councillor to ask Council to engage in this discussion!
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No. NO. NO. Not at the M Center. This is a place for all Kingstonians and not just a select few students.
Nor is it a place where deteriorating and unattractive concrete block barns should stand empty 361 days a year. Not to mention the perimeter fencing limiting public access to the property on a daily basis. Oh yes, and there is the asphalt pad occupying the majority of the east end of the field rendering an approximately 2 acre portion of the lands unusable for the majority of the year and reduces the green space potentially available on the property. We understand the asphalt is required for the four days a year when the fair rides are in town. These are unreasonable limitations on a large publically funded property that could serve the broader community in many more ways.
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Wow! This is such a great idea, how come council is so opposed? The Memorial Centre has some good things going but this plan blows the current situation away. I’ve heard council’s position on the Memorial Centre was a defensive move to save KCVI as they knew the M-Centre was the most logical choice – they are now holding firm to save face. Now that the ship has sailed on the KC closure the M-Centre is the best option. Some real analysis and discussion should be had on the topic. This is too big of a decision to make with no factual information or public consultation.
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Wow – what a wonderful concept! I hope the city can come around to this. I know for a fact that Jim Neill of Williamsville district (councillor) needs some convincing – he is currently against this idea, mostly on the basis of conserving parklands, but I think this idea would enhance the space and the neighbourhood in a host of ways. I hope we can come together on this.
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The Memorial Centre location presents a serious traffic congestion problem. If you have 1500+ children entering and leaving that location four times a day, the foot traffic will clog all four main thoroughfares to the downtown area (Concession St, Princess St, Brock St, and Johnson St), much like Queens students clog Union St. It won’t take much to seriously impact the already struggling downtown business sector by encouraging residents from Strathcona Park to Portsmouth village to do their shopping in the west end instead of downtown.
We agree, the establishment of the secondary school at the Memorial Centre would increase pedestrian activity along Princess Street and from surrounding residential neighbourhoods. The vision for a pedestrian oriented focus along Princess Street and within Williamsville has been outlined within city plans which are based on neighbourhood level analysis and community consultation. Regarding the impact of increased pedestrian activity on local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce has already voiced their near unanimous support for the Memorial Centre location. If any local business owners have input regarding this proposal and any possible impacts we would be happy to add their voice to the dialog.
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The ministry of education can expropriate the land required should it be considered necessary provided they give appropriate compensation. Council’s support, or the agricultural society’s support is unnecessary though would be beneficial and constructive for the community. Council has seemingly never realized this.
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what happens to agricultural society and barns? this idea has been voted down by council, more than once, with reason.
Great question. Agricultural industry and tradition is a very important part of the Kingston community and needs an appropriate location for exhibition and celebration. We feel the existing agricultural exhibition facilities at the Memorial Centre are deteriorated, in need of investment, and not servicing the intended function at this location. The proposal envisions the relocation of the city’s agricultural exhibition to Grass Creek Park. Reinvestment in appropriate facilities at Grass Creek Park would support other events proven to work at this location including the very popular annual sheep dog trails and Canada Day events. Continuing the annual fall fair at Grass Creek Park would provide an opportunity to celebrate agricultural excellence, rural traditions, local foods, culinary arts, and craft beer and wine production. The proposal also envisions the continuation of the Sunday farmer`s market at the Memorial Centre in an improved facility including indoor space for rainy days and winter months. Also of importance this proposal would allow for the removal of the fencing around the Memorial Centre property that is required to accommodate a four day event but limits access to the entirety of this large public space on a year-round basis.
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Who cares about the agriculture history in the middle of downtown Kingston, and those ugly looking barns are going to get torn down anyways, as they should be. All of this is going to happen regardless of the school being built there anyways, think of the great benefits of having a beautiful, modern school. Hopefully the school can also try to boost the high school athletics throughout the Kingston area, which is needed.
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The fall fair cannot be relocated, unless the Agricultural Society moves willingly, which it certainly (and rightly) will not. After all, the Agricultural Society used to own the entire property! There is a solid contractual agreement between the city and the agricultural society so like it or not, the M Centre property is unavailable.
We feel agricultural exhibition is important; appropriate facilities would need to be provided at an alternate location satisfactory to the Agricultural Society- we suggested Grass Creek Park. Given the current condition of the barns at the Memorial Centre, through reinvestment at a new more appropriate location, it might be possible to reach an agreement that the Agricultural Society would support.
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Grass Creek park is hardly a comparable location! It is very important to have the fair in the heart of the city, where it is easily accessible to all. We must maintain an urban connection to agriculture.
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It is clearly the best location and should at least be considered. What is the harm in at least thinking about it. It may be too late to save KCVI, but it is not too late and do the right thing and have partnership around the Memorial Centre property. Contact your councillor and ensure this property is effectively developed for generations to come.
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Council is not fully to blame, their decision on the M Centre only occurred when they were backed into a corner by the group trying to save KCVI. Let’s not let the attempt to save KCVI stop good things from happening. Council can change its mind but unfortunatley too many wealthy and influential downtowners are still trying to save KCVI so council is reluctant to consider the M Centre. Let them know how you feel!
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Does anyone actually know how the students feel about these options? I can’t recall if there was ever any public consultation that included a youth perspective. I think existing and future students of the new highschool should have a voice in the matter, isn’t that what a smart city would do?
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Thank you! My fellow students and I have been asking the same question; why is there no room for student discussion and opinion surrounding this topic? This facility would be for US after all.
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Why not reduce the footprint and build 3 stories? Wouldn’t parking between the fields and consolidated buildings be more efficient?
It is possible a portion of the school, mainly the classrooms and administrative spaces, could be housed in a three storey building format to reduce the footprint. The feasibility of this could be explored through a formal conceptual planning exercise. Thanks for the feedback.
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The M Center is funding by all taxpayers in the city and should be left alone. Limestone School Board is not running this City and the Mayor and council need to stand up for everyone in this city. Not just a select few. The M Center was built and named to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Limestone School Board here is a suggestion. Get off your high horse and build the new school at the Q.E.C.V.I site. You don’t own the M Center site and neither does the Ministry of education in Ontario.
A central theme of the proposal is a variety of shared recreational, arts, fitness, and flexible event/meeting facilities serving the secondary school during the day and the community during non-school hours including evenings, holidays, and weekends. Many members of the community feel this more intensive use of the property represents the most efficient use of public funding that would serve all of Kingston on a more frequent basis and provide a richer experience at the Memorial Centre. As a diverse and vibrant public facility educating generations of future Canadian’s, with our utmost respect, we couldn’t think of a more fitting tribute to past Kingstonians that did not make it home from representing Canada in armed conflicts around the world.
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