Armouries Future Re-Use Public Consultation Timeline

February 26, 2008 – Budget Meeting of Windsor City Council
Vicky Kyriaco-Wilson, representing Windsor Symphony Orchestra’s Armouries Concert Hall Committee, proposed that a feasibility study be conducted on the long-term financial sustainability of a concert hall by establishing a business case and acoustical potential for the concert hall. Jim Lynd, representing Woodslee Credit Union, stated that Woodslee Credit Union has provided $40,000 towards the $100,000 total cost for the funding of the proposed feasibility study.

Windsor City Council adopted the following resolution (M101-2008):

That City Council PROVIDE up to $15,000 in the capital budget, to the Armouries Concert Hall Committee, for the purpose of conducting a feasibility study on the long-term financial sustainability of a concert hall in Windsor, and that the Armouries Re-use Committee COLLABORATE with the Armouries Concert Hall Committee and other community stakeholders to investigate the adaptive re-use of the Windsor Armouries into a Concert Hall; that expressions of interest for the Armouries BE NOT ENTERTAINED until the Feasibility Study has been completed and discussed; that the City of Windsor DELAY development of city-owned properties adjoining the Armouries until the Study has been completed and evaluated; and further, that the City of Windsor have input into the terms of reference for the feasibility study.

March 5, 2007 - Appointment of Committee of Council
City Council adopted a report of the Striking Committee appointing the following Councillor(s) to a Committee of Council:

Councillor A. Halberstadt
Councillor R. Jones
Councillor P. Hatfield (chair)
The purpose of the Committee of Council is to define the parameters for the EOI to identify feasible and functional use(s) for the re-use of the Major F.A. Tilston Armoury Building. 

July 25, 2005 - Project "On Hold"
Windsor City Council adopted the following resolution (CR457/2005) to put the disposition of the Armouries on hold:

THAT the disposition of the Major F.A. Tilston Armoury Building and property BE DEFERRED until Council adopts the Comprehensive City Centre Study to direct future growth and change in the City Centre.
The comprehensive City Centre Study evolved into the "Sustainable Downtown Plan", which has been deferred until 2011 for capital budget funding.

September 7, 2004 - Meeting of Windsor City Council
Windsor City Council adopted the following resolution (CR833/2004):

THAT the report of the Armouries Stakeholder Focus Group (ASFG) BE RECEIVED; and
THAT the architectural features and historically significant structure BE RETAINED in any re-use or redevelopment of the Major F.A. Tilston Armoury Building designated under the Ontario Heritage Act; and
THAT an Expression of Interest (EOI) to identify feasible and functional use(s) for the re-use of the Major F.A. Tilston Armoury Building BE PREPARED for Council review based on the Key Areas of Discussion.
THAT  a Committee of Council BE ESTABLISHED to define the parameters in terms of guiding principles for the future re-use of the Armouries.

A June 7, 2004 Community Workshop and Roundtable Discussion on potential re-uses was held. A survey was conducted, with approximately 300 replies from individuals who had interest in the Windsor Armouries property. Highlights from the survey include:

55 percent of the respondents believe that the Windsor Armouries should be publicly owned and 37 percent noted that the structure would best function under a public/private partnership.
93 percent of the respondents noted that the architectural features and historical significance of the Armouries should be retained.
The majority of respondents indicated that a Museum or Performing Arts Centre (32 percent Museum, 30 percent Performing Arts Centre) is their first preference as an appropriate re-use for the Windsor Armouries building.

The Windsor Armouries Re-Use Public Consultation Background Report. (PDF)

The National Defence Department transferred ownership of the Major F.A. Tilston Armoury Building to the City of Windsor in October 2004.

May 7 – September 13, 2004
Responding to a City Council request made on December 8, 2003, Windsor’s Planning Department, in consultation with Corporate Projects, managed a public consultation process concerning the future use of the Windsor Armouries. The Planning Department served Council’s appointed “Armouries Stakeholder Focus Group (ASFG)”, composed of individuals with an interest in the protection and re-use of the Windsor Armouries, and expertise in professions such as real estate, business, architecture, and structural engineering.

For further information on the status of the Armouries Concert Hall Feasibility Study, visit: www.windsorsymphony.com/about/armouries.html

For further information regarding the Armouries please contact:

Parks and Recreation
2450 McDougall Street
Windsor, Ontario  N8X 3N6
Phone:  (519) 253-2300
Email: parkrec@city.windsor.on.ca