THE BOATHOUSE IS BACK WITH A SPLASH

On Nov. 22, 2024, the Boathouse in Willow River Park welcomed an excited crowd of fans and local leaders to celebrate the venue’s grand opening.  

The restaurant and live music venue has undergone extensive remodeling and expansion since its lease was awarded to Walkinshaw Holdings, a group of local entrepreneurs, in 2022.   

During his remarks, Berry Vrbanovic, mayor of Kitchener, mentioned the musical acts who have performed at the Boathouse, including Steve Strongman, The Sheepdogs, Paul McCloud, Shannon Lynn and Mel Brown.   

“They transformed the Boathouse into a venue that promises to bring us together in ways that are both fresh and familiar, as a vibrant restaurant and a live music destination, and it’s been awesome to watch and appreciate it,” Vrbanovic said.  

The completely remodeled venue includes 2,800 square feet of dining and entertainment space and a 5,000 square foot patio that extends partially over the lake at Willow River Park. The Boathouse had a soft opening earlier in the week.  

James Barr, a partner of Walkinshaw Holdings, said it was an opportunity to celebrate with friends and family who have supported the team over the last two years.  

“We finally had the chance to sit back and enjoy. The food was great. The staff was super passionate and conscientious. Everyone seems to have this sense of ownership,” Barr said.   

The Boathouse was originally a two-storey structure built in 1929. A fire in 1967 caused significant damage, but the city was able to save the ground floor and replace the second story with a roof.   

Its time as a music venue began in the 1990s with a series of operators, including Cindy Ward and Kevin Doyle. Barr said their team received feedback and suggestions from Boathouse fans across different generations.  

“There’s definitely a lot of folks from around town who have been here through the eras of the Boathouse, and we got some good feedback. People have been surprised at the food and the decor,” Barr said. “It’s definitely a big change from what it was before.”  

The Boathouse has partnered with Good Co. Productions and Farm League Brewing to program its lineup of musicians and bands that will soon take the Boathouse stage.  

Amit Mehta, co-founder and partner at Good Co. Productions, said the team has put a lot of attention and thought into how music will return to the Boathouse.   

“It’s a really core part of Kitchener culture when it comes to music. We’re trying to make it a very flexible space so that it can showcase every genre possible,” Mehta said.  

“But it’s really all about having a bit of a blank canvas that folks can grow into,” he said. 

The Boathouse can accommodate up to 100 to 120 people for live shows. Mehta added that the venue’s patio space is also set up for concerts in the summer.  

While the Boathouse team prepares for the first live shows, Barr said he and his partners are enjoying seeing longtime and first-time Boathouse patrons come into the space. He added that they know expectations are high and are excited to bring something new to the community.  

“With spaces that have been in the community for a long time, there’s always going to be a kind of nostalgia for how it used to be—and maybe it should still be that way,” Barr said. 

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