07-14-2015, 11:40 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-14-2015, 11:52 PM by panamaniac.)
(07-14-2015, 11:31 PM)tomh009 Wrote:(07-14-2015, 11:22 PM)panamaniac Wrote: I have no memory of wailing and gnashing of teeth when the Waterloo hall came down.
And yet ... was the Kitchener city hall really more worthy of preserving? Personally, I don't see the big difference in aesthetics.
To be honest, I was never a big fan of the old Kitchener City Hall, but yes, it was far more impressive a structure than was the Waterloo Town Hall ***. Limestone vs brick, larger, and with that impressive front staircase and portico. With hindsight, I wish that Kitchener had attached a modern annex to the old building. Had it been saved, it would have made a terrific home for KWAG if it weren't still the seat of the City. I always find it funny how almost everyone today sees the demolition of City Hall as a huge mistake, blaming the powers of the day, and conveniently overlook the fact that the Oxlea project was approved in a municipal referendum.
By the way, the old Post Office that can be seen in another of the earlier pictures was another sad loss for Kitchener - if only they had known that Benton St didn't actually need to be widened, it might still be standing today.
*** I assume you are referring to the 1920s building that was demolished to build Market Square and not the 19th century building that preceded it.