A street or something else? Kingstonians voice ways to honour the Hip

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Bill Hutchins

EMC News - One block of Barrack Street should be renamed in honour of The Tragically Hip, according to most people who spoke at a public meeting on the subject.

The City of Kingston hosted the January 18 meeting to gather public input on the best way to salute the hometown rockers.

"Let's create some modern history here and get tourism moving again," said Bill Swan, a local tourism operator.

"It's an easy and honourable way to honour the Hip," agreed local resident Peter Kingston.

About 80 people attended the meeting to provide ideas to celebrate the band's artistic and philanthropic achievements over the past three decades. Gord Downie, Rob Baker, Paul Langlois, Johnny Fay and Gord Sinclair formed The Tragically Hip in 1983. They've had 20 number one hits, won 14 Junos, received the Order of Canada and honourary degrees, and raised over one million dollars through local benefit concerts.

How can the city recognize such achievements?

Most of the comments centred on whether to rename the lower block of Barrack Street in front the city's flagship arena, between King and Ontario Streets, as 'The Tragically Hip Way.' The idea was first put forward to city council late last year.

Citizens who commented on the renaming proposal endorsed it by a roughly two-to-one margin. But not everyone was on the same side of the street. Others urged the city not to tamper with part of its military history.

"It's nibbling away at our heritage," said heritage activist Helen Finley, who joined with others to support a statue or plaque in the vicinity to honour the Hip's achievements.

"Enhance rather than eradicate," echoed retired archaeologist Sue Bazley.

They pointed out that Barrack Street got its name from the British in the 1800s as the route soldiers would take between the Royal Horse Artillery and Fort Frontenac. They said Barrack is one of the few remaining street names that mark the city's military past, and it should not be altered in any way, even for one block.

"This is part of our culture. Barrack is not generic," said architectural historian and author Jennifer McKendry.

Others pointed out there are many other prominent Kingstonians - past and present - who deserve similar recognition, such as Peter Milliken, Robertson Davies, the two Macdonalds (Flora and Sir John A.) and Dan Aykroyd.

The debate over lower Barrack Street appeared to draw battle lines over heritage versus tourism. A large number of tourism operators spoke in favour of the renaming as a catalyst to draw more visitors to the downtown.

"I can see hundreds or thousands of people standing in front of the street sign getting their picture taken,"said Ken Noakes, general manager of K-Rock Centre

They said celebrating The Tragically Hip with their own street would boost Kingston's international profile and help build a new entertainment district in the North Block with future plans to start a Kingston Walk of Fame honouring other artists, politicians and prominent Kingstonians near the K-Rock Centre.

"If we can do this one block we can get something started," said Nick Waterfield.

Businessman John Wright, one of those spearheading the street renaming effort, said the downtown's vibrancy was enhanced with the arena's construction and the Grand Theatre's restoration. "You can't stop it. You've got to build on it."

Wright also read enthusiastic letters of support from actor Dan Aykroyd, who said "the opening night dedication concert alone will be worth the effort," and from Peter Soumalias, president of Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto, who noted "celebrity sells."

Mayor Mark Gerretsen, who chaired the public meeting, was joined by several councillors who listened to more than 35 speakers, from Queen's University professors and tour boat operators to a young boy, a diverse background list worthy of a Hip song itself.

About 30 others showed up for the meeting, but left disappointed. The ardent Hip fans expected to get autographs and pictures with members of the band, none of whom attended the meeting.

City officials will collect public comments from the meeting and online and make a recommendation on the street renaming proposal to city council in February.