This Request for Information (“RFI”) is issued by The Corporation of the City of Kitchener (“the City”) for the purposes of gathering information about the marketplace in order to assist in the determination of future purchasing options or requirements.

Rockway Centre is Kitchener’s only dedicated older adult community centre and provides valuable programs and services for older adults from across the city. The building was originally constructed as a transit terminal in 1950 and was later converted to a recreation facility. The Rockway Centre is listed on the City's Municipal Heritage Register as a non-designated property. The site is located adjacent to Rockway Gardens, which is in the Rockway Neighborhood, Gardens & Golf Course CHL. Rockway Centre is located at 1405 King St. E. and sits on a 1.89-acre triangular site bordered by King St. East, Charles Street East, and Preston Street (Appendix A, Map 1). The site includes a 17,750 square foot community centre and two small ancillary buildings located at the corner of Charles and Preston Streets. 

The City is excited to explore options for the redevelopment of the Rockway Centre. Through this RFI, the City is looking to understand the level of interest from potential partners and the types of partnerships that could be supported to deliver this future opportunity.

To deliver meaningful programs and services, the City’s anticipated new older adult centre should be accessible to all residents in the community through a separate and dedicated entrance feature, and be able to accommodate a space that is minimum 20,000 square feet and would include the following amenities: 

• Double gymnasium with servery/food preparation area
• Multi-purpose program rooms
• Supporting office and workspace
• Lobby and community area
• Outdoor patio/social space

The City is considering several options, which include: 

• Building an older adult centre offsite on land owned by the private sector/potential partner near the current location (1405 King St. E) or along the intensification corridor and LRT routes in that area.
• Building an older adult centre on the current Rockway Centre site (1405 King St. E).