Renovated players' area and new restaurant at The Aud to be pitched to Kitchener city councillors
The Kitchener Rangers want to make some changes to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex and if that work gets approved, city staff want to piggyback on the renovations to build a restaurant there, too.
A report going before Kitchener city council on Monday's community and infrastructure services committee says the Rangers hockey team wants to improve the players' dressing room area, business office and the room used by media and scouts. The renovations would be fully funded by the team.
It would see the Rangers relocate the majority of their offices to the third floor of the building, expand player amenities "to continue to attract top talent" and relocate the media and scout room to the space that would go beside the proposed restaurant in a room currently called the Subscriber's Lounge.
"This request from The Kitchener Ranges creates a unique opportunity for the city to take advantage of the planned construction work to create a new restaurant at The Aud," the staff report says, noting a restaurant would be an "attractive new amenity" that would "position the complex as a more attractive destination for large scale sports and e-sports events as well as concerts."
The complex, often referred to in the community as simply The Aud, opened in May 1951 and its last major renovation was in 2012, although through a partnership between the Rangers and the city.
Restaurant could become a destination
Allyson Samms is manager of The Aud and says they see a lot of benefits to updating the space.
She noted when players are being recruited by the Kitchener Rangers, they come to tour the facility and the city.
"What are they going to do off the ice, where are they going to hang out, what are they going to be offered? They take that into account," she told CBC News.
"We're hoping that the restaurant, maybe there would be regular operating hours, maybe it is a destination that would be available outside our special events … It's going to allow us to hopefully recruit some new events."
The staff report says The Aud is in "good condition" currently and there are "no immediate facility or maintenance-related issues that would require it to be closed in the short or medium term."
But, the staff report adds, "just like every other city facility, The Aud will require ongoing maintenance and future investments to maintain that condition going forward."
The city would expect to spend $2 million to create the restaurant, of which $575,000 would come from the tax base. Other funding would come from a reserve fund from ticket sales at The Aud as well as the municipal accommodation tax.
The report says a revenue projection shows if the restaurant is open for 100 days or nights in a year, there would be enough revenue generated to pay back the tax base within seven years.
"It is important to note the restaurant has potential to earn higher revenue through private event rentals or expanding operations beyond 100 days, which would shorten that payback period," the report says.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Globe and Mail
19 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
What Canadian investors need to know about the Trump tax bill
If the first six months are any indication, the reign of U.S. President Donald Trump is going to be a rough one for Canadian investors. First, the stock market plunged earlier this spring as Mr. Trump's tariffs started a global trade war. Stocks have mostly recovered, but a new threat has emerged in the form of legislation that would allow Washington to ramp up the taxation of Canadians holding U.S. stocks. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is not yet law – it passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a single vote but must still pass in the Senate – and may change in scope. For now, it has the potential to more than double the tax applied to dividends from U.S. companies received by Canadian investors and corporations. The ultimate effect of the tax changes could be costly in total but perhaps not so bad on an individual basis. Regardless, it's too early to make changes in your investment portfolio. 'Currently, we're not making any moves, and I'm recommending everyone do the same thing and just wait to see what the information actually is,' said Justin Bender, a portfolio manager at PWL Capital. 'Then we can assess and see if there's any changes necessary.' Wealth managers brace for proposed U.S. tax bill's impacts on Canadian clients What's in Trump's big budget bill? From cuts to taxes and Medicaid, here's what to know Ultimately, Section 899 of the legislation could introduce a withholding tax of 20 to 50 per cent of dividends received by Canadians. There are estimates that this extra tax could cost individual investors, pension funds and others billions of dollars. The point of Section 899 is to give the U.S. a weapon to punish what it considers to be unfair taxes in other countries. Thought to be a target is our digital services tax, which mainly applies to U.S. tech giants generating revenue in Canada. Estimates from Mr. Bender show a worst-case additional drag on returns of 0.46 percentage points from U.S. stocks and U.S. equity exchange-traded funds when the higher withholding tax is fully phased in over four years. Think of this cost as being in addition to the management expense ratio of an ETF or mutual fund. If your return from a U.S. equity fund was a net 10 per cent with the management expense ratio (MER) included, then a higher withholding tax could ultimately leave you with as little as 9.54 per cent. Note that fund returns are always published on a net basis, with the MER included and, where applicable, foreign withholding taxes already deducted. Under existing U.S. tax law, there is a base withholding tax rate of 30 per cent for foreign investors holding U.S. stocks. A Canada-U.S. tax treaty generally reduces this rate to 15 per cent. No withholding tax applies to U.S. dividends paid into registered retirement savings plans and registered retirement income funds by U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs. There's no clear sense of whether this exemption would continue to apply under Section 899. In a non-registered account, you can offset the 15-per-cent withholding tax by claiming an offsetting foreign tax credit. In a TFSA, registered education savings plan, first home savings account or registered disability savings plan, the withholding tax cannot be recovered; it is also non-recoverable in RRSPs and RRIFs if you hold a Canadian-listed U.S. equity ETF. Canadian investors have a massive level of exposure to U.S. stocks directly and through funds. About $60-billion is invested in just four TSX-listed ETFs that track the S&P 500 index. But investing in the S&P 500, and the even more tech-focused Nasdaq, is much more about growth than dividend income. The dividend yield on the S&P 500 right now is about 1.3 per cent, half the level of the yield on Canada's S&P/TSX composite index. 'It's very low, which is why this tax maybe isn't as much of an issue as people are making it out to be,' Mr. Bender said. 'Some extra withholding taxes are probably not going to blow up your financial plan.' Mr. Bender added that the impact is further diminished by the fact that most investors have diversified their U.S. exposure with bonds and Canadian stocks, plus international markets in many cases. Investors who use ETFs for exposure to U.S. stocks can buy funds listed on U.S. exchanges as well as those located in Canada. Among Canadian-listed funds, there are those that hold U.S. stocks directly and those that are effectively a wrapper for a U.S.-listed fund in the same corporate family. Mr. Bender said each of these three ETF types would be affected similarly by higher U.S. withholding taxes. Are you a young Canadian with money on your mind? To set yourself up for success and steer clear of costly mistakes, listen to our award-winning Stress Test podcast.


National Post
20 minutes ago
- National Post
Sportsnet's Buck Martinez on Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: He can't make another start
Just because you haven't heard Buck Martinez on the air covering Blue Jays games over the past couple of weeks doesn't mean that the venerable voice of the team doesn't have some thoughts. Article content In fact, he has a few. Article content First things first: Martinez, who is taking some extended scheduled time off from his regular analyst's role on the Sportsnet broadcasts, will return for a home stand against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre starting on June 30. Article content In the interim, studio analysts Joe Siddall and Caleb Joseph will take turns filling the air alongside play-by-play voice Dan Shulman. Article content 'I'm taking some scheduled time off,' Martinez told the Toronto Sun on Monday. 'But I'll be back for that homestand (against the Yankees). And then I'll have a good chunk of July off for my 50th anniversary. My schedule is to do 100 games.' Article content And with that, the 76-year-old Martinez shifts the conversation to his favourite topic — the Jays — who were scheduled to begin a three-game series in St. Louis on Monday night, part of their current nine-game, 10-day trip. Article content Article content The long-time Jays broadcaster certainly is clear in what he thinks about the Toronto rotation minus Max Scherzer and the alarming struggles of Bowden Francis. Article content '(The Jays) are playing pretty good, but they can't start Bowden Francis another start,' Martinez said. 'It's the one thing that's causing them so many issues. The fourth and fifth spots (in the rotation) have been the issues all season long. Article content 'Unfortunately (Max) Scherzer can't pitch right now. It's just the way it is. Article content 'I'd be surprised if they start (Francis) again. He's just too inconsistent. It just highlights how difficult it is to be a long-term starter in the major leagues. It's the toughest position in baseball, to be a consistent starter. Article content 'Now hitters have made adjustments and he has to establish that he can throw on both sides of the plate.' Article content Martinez believes that if the struggles of Francis, combined with the bullpen days for the fifth spot in the rotation continue, the rest of the bullpen will wear down. Article content 'It's already cost them Yimi Garcia (who is on the injured list with a shoulder issue) and it's going to cost them someone else,' Martinez said. Article content The former catcher has been impressed with the Jays recent surge at the plate, which largely has been the reason they've gone on a 9-1 run and sit in a three-way tie for the top AL wild-card spot prior to Monday's action. Article content 'Everything has come together offensively,' Martinez said. 'They've cut down their strikeouts. They're more patient. And they're realizing one or two guys aren't going to carry the team. They're getting contributions from everywhere in the order.'


CTV News
31 minutes ago
- CTV News
Argos players, coaches and staff receive their '24 Grey Cup rings
DaVaris Daniels of the Argos gives CP24 Breakfast a first look at the team's Grey Cup championship ring. TORONTO — Toronto Argonauts personnel will have two ways to commemorate the franchise's 2024 Grey Cup championship. Players, coaches and team staff received their custom-made championship rings Sunday. The Argos captured a CFL-record 19th title in November with a 41-24 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at B.C. Place Stadium. A unique element of the item, crafted by Baron Championship Rings, is the detachment feature of its top, allowing the wearer to transform the piece into a pendant by attaching it to a chain. Upon detachment, the top reveals an engraving of the quote 'an underdog is a hungry dog ready to eat,' referencing receiver DaVaris Daniels' speech from the '24 championship rally. Opposite of the engraving, the interior features a detailed tribute to the stadium where the Argos earned their victory. 'Last season, the team rose to a new level of dedication, perseverance and teamwork in their pursuit of adding another Grey Cup to the Argonauts' rich championship history,' said Argos GM Michael (Pinball) Clemons. 'A championship ring is a permanent reminder of a special season and a special achievement, and it will bring the team together again this season as we look forward to building on that success.' The ring itself features several unique elements, including the face showcasing the Grey Cup trophy in addition to the Argos' logo being encrusted with diamonds. The left shoulder includes detailing of Toronto landmarks, including the CN Tower, City Hall and BMO Field, the club's home stadium. The right shoulder is personalized for each of the players with their name and number sitting atop of a jersey motif and boat oars that symbolize the franchise's origins as the Argonaut Rowing Club. At the bridge of the ring is the player's signature, along with the final score and date of the game. The outside bottom shank captures another one of the team's mottoes 'Start 2 Finish.' On the upper side, the design includes numeral detailing of '111,' in reference to the 111th Grey Cup game. On the bottom is the number '24' for the year, with a sapphire bejewelled wave set above it. Nineteen radiant stones wrap around the ring, symbolizing every title in Argos' history. 'Creating the 2024 Grey Cup champions ring was an incredible opportunity to celebrate the team's legacy and the pride of their fans,' said Baron president Drina Baron-Zinyk and CEO Peter Kanis in a joint statement. 'Every detail of the 2024 ring was designed to embody the grit, determination, and unforgettable moments that define this team's journey.' The Argos will distribute replicas of the '24 ring to the first 10,000 fans attending their home opener versus the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday afternoon. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025.