Failure not expected in Boathouse deal, says city

A top Kitchener bureaucrat says hedoesn't "anticipate a failure in negotiations" between the city and the sole remaining bidder vying for the operation of theBoathouse, a well-known bar and live music venue in Victoria Park.

RodRegier, the city's executive director of economic development, told Craig Norris on The Morning Edition on Wednesday that the proposal submitted byCurt and Cory Crossman, who runtheKOIMusic Festival, and BillMacTavish, who owns theImbibe lounge in downtown Kitchener, is being evaluated by the city.

Theyve got the resources to do the project. Theyve got the skills. They are currently in the business. I dont see any reason why we would anticipate a failure in negotiations at this stage, saidRegier.

If we do get to that point, well figure out a plan B.

• Boathouse bidder Danny Michel sees 'lots of potential'

His comments come afterthe only other bid for the operation ofthe city-owned venue was revoked.

Singer/songwriter Danny Michel and Ethel's Lounge owner Glenn Smithdecided to drop their bid, citing a lack of clarityfrom the city when it came to the "serious questions," the duo had.

'They won't give us a straight answer'

Somewhere in the middle, we didnt quite meet, Smith told CBC News. Ive just had far too many unanswered questions. They wanted me to jump through all of their hoops and they werent willing to jump through any.

"I've been saying to the city all along 'what is the rent going to be?', and they wont give us a straight answer," Smith said.

But Regier saidit is the bidders responsibilityto suggest a fair rental rate as part of their business proposal.

"This is standard proposal process for us," Regiersaid.

"What we're asking the proponents to dois to crunch the numbers themselves and come up with a number for rent that would be reasonable," he said.

"The other proponent has chosen to do that, and we think it's a reasonable approach," Regieradded.

The proposal by the Crossmans and MacTavish will be evaluated by a committee before staff makes a recommendation to council on December 2.

'Lets get this thing open by June'

Regier says the city envisions the Boathouse as a vibrant cultural venue with quality food and beverage services.

"We want to see that patio full in the summer time, we want to see live entertainment on a regular basis inside the building, we want it to become a part of the cultural life of the city," hesaid.

"We think that it's a good venue for lunch and we think it's also a great venue for evenings and particularly for evening and afternoon matinee entertainment on weekends."

The city has been looking for a new operator after the previous one, Kevin Doyle, was forced to leave after falling behind on rent and utilities.