Speaker’s Notes
Stop Context - Grand River Hospital
Area Description:
King St is a mixed-use avenue surrounded by established residential neighbourhoods
and several apartment buildings (the Park Place Apartments on York Street and Mount
Hope Street and Kings Tower on King Street). The area has three major institutional
uses (a hospital and 2 schools). Large parking lots.
Key Locations:
Grand River Hospital (health and well-being cluster)
King Street/border of Kitchener and Waterloo/Midtown
Mount Hope Cemetery
Kitchener CI and King Edward Public School
Public Spaces - Don McLaren Arena, Gildner Green, Iron Horse Trail
Neighbourhoods - Cherry Park, Mount Hope - Breithaupt Park, Mid-Town, Mary Allen
and Uptown West
Other - CTV Kitchener, Central Fresh Market, SunLife Financial, St. Mark’s Lutheran
Church and Calvary United Church
Key Audiences:
Patients, Transit Users, Local Employees, Local Residents
Themes:
Relaxing/Comforting/Soothing
Border/Seam of communities
Health Industry, Life and Death
The proximity to the Hospital was the most discussed aspect of this stop’s location, and
themes emerged from this relationship including the creation of a relaxing or calming
environment for patients and their families. The location of this stop is also located close
to the border of Kitchener and Waterloo, with the potential for the stop to serve as a
seam between these two cities.
Quotes
 This area is a conjunction/intersection of many elements, and is very near the
boundary between Kitchener and Waterloo.
 The neighbourhoods on the Kitchener side on either side of King were built up
over a century ago.
 The local community is facing intense densification and planning, but it has a well
established residential community that is active/artistic/caring/intelligent/different
 A lot of local residents were born at the hospital or have received care there... it
is a place of transition and change
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I think the meaning of life and death are important here as well as shared
humanity
The hospital is a high traffic, emotional space; births/deaths,
recoveries/addictions, good and bad news; the Cancer Center; innovative
healing; a second home; hope; cycle of life; bridge to others; an opportunity to
honor nurses and health workers.
Lots of firsts in this area, e.g. high school, insurance, first curling club, meat
market, TV station (CKCO, CTV)
Lots of youth – make it indestructible
Mount Hope Cemetery is a unique and special place in the neighbourhood. It's
the resting place of many of the figures who built out community including
politicians and business leaders. Nowadays, it additionally serves as the lungs of
the neighbourhood, and a place for walking and jogging in the city but in a natural
environment.
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