[kwlug-disc] Meeting Location Shortlist

Wed Aug 2 11:05:19 EDT 2023

Random locations each month? Sounds plausible. We could have a pool of volunteers who can host at various locations. This addresses the problem of a single volunteer not being reliably available every month of the year. But it increases coordination costs.

On Wed, Aug 2, 2023, at 9:59 AM, Jason Eckert wrote:
> The outside event we had back in 2018 was pretty fun too: https://twitter.com/the_unix_guru/status/1069794045239668736
> We could always meet at random-selected secret outdoor locations each month with equipment (I have a portable projector/screen), wearing conspicuous hoodies ;-)
> 
> On Wed, 2 Aug 2023 at 09:39, Paul Nijjar via kwlug-disc <kwlug-disc at kwlug.org> wrote:
>> At this point we have two potential meeting locations. Thanks to the
>> KWLUG members who offered them. I am trying to keep their identities
>> confidential, but they can out themselves if they wish.
>> 
>> Now the question is which (if either) we choose, and how we make that
>> decision. As a first step I am posting a writeup below, in the hopes
>> it will provoke some discussion and opinions. I also have
>> some pictures, but I have not posted them anywhere. If there are
>> particular things you want to see then let me know.
>> 
>> If you have thoughts/preferences/opinions you can post them here or
>> send them directly to me. In a week I will summarize what I heard.
>> 
>> August's meeting will be online. September is up in the air, but it is
>> plausible that could be the first in-person (or hybrid?) meeting. 
>> 
>> - Paul
>> 
>> KWLUG Meeting Locations
>> =======================
>> 
>> 100 Garment Street
>> ------------------
>> 
>> This is a community meeting room on the third floor of a condo. A
>> KWLUG member lives in the building and has agreed to host us each
>> month.
>> 
>> The building is a 5-10 minute walk from Victoria and King in
>> Kitchener, so is close to downtown.
>> 
>> Capacity: 15 people comfortably, 20 at most. The space is pretty small
>> and there is furniture there we cannot move.
>> 
>> Availability: There is no formal booking system, so there is some
>> chance we could be displaced. However, the host thinks this is not
>> likely. 
>> 
>> Reliability: We are reliant on the host to be present for every
>> meeting.
>> 
>> Access: The building is wheelchair accessible. To get to the meeting
>> room one has to be let in the door (there is controlled access) and go
>> up an elevator. It is not clear whether we can put up signs on meeting
>> nights, but the host thinks it may be possible.
>> 
>> Internet: There is public wifi, and possibly a second wifi we can use for
>> streaming. There is no wired internet available.
>> 
>> Parking: Parking onsite is expensive. There is an underground parking
>> garage which costs $2.50 for 30 minutes, so the average KWLUG attendee
>> can expect to pay $12.50 per meeting. There is a small amount of
>> on-street parking on Oak Street, and some parking available in
>> downtown Kitchener.
>> 
>> Transit: there is an LRT station at Victoria and King St.
>> 
>> Streaming/Equipment: We would have to provide a projector, and
>> whatever equipment we want to use for streaming. The host may be able
>> to store some equipment at their condo, but maybe not a lot.
>> 
>> 
>> University of Waterloo Dana Porter Library
>> ------------------------------------------
>> 
>> This is a classroom space in the Dana Porter library ("the sugar
>> cube") at the University of Waterloo. The specific space is LIB 329.
>> It is being offered by a KWLUG member who works at the university.
>> 
>> Capacity: 30+ people. It is a full classroom with row seating.
>> 
>> Availability: It should be fairly reliably available, although there
>> is no booking system. There are other classrooms we might be able to
>> use if we are displaced.
>> 
>> Reliability: Unclear. We are probably reliant on a UW employee to host
>> us. The proposing host has offered to host us, or help look for
>> replacements if they are unable to attend. There are a few other
>> people who work at UW. 
>> 
>> Access: The building is wheelchair accessible. There are elevators to
>> the space. We will probably not be able to put up signs. 
>> 
>> Internet: There is wifi available that requires a name and email to use.
>> People who are affiliated with a university can use Eduroam.
>> There may be some chance of getting our own SSID but this is unlikely.
>> Wired network for streaming might be possible, but is not arranged.
>> 
>> Parking: There is no free parking anywhere near UW. There are paid
>> parking lots for $5/evening.
>> 
>> Transit: there is an LRT station at the university. 
>> 
>> Streaming/Equipment: There is a projector with HDMI input. We would
>> have to provide other streaming equipment, and carry it back and forth
>> to meetings.
>> 
>> 
>> Unlikely Locations
>> ------------------
>> 
>> ### Community Hub at St John's the Evangelist
>> 
>> This is not available Monday evenings. It could be a possibility if 
>> we were willing to switch meeting nights.
>> 
>> 
>> ### SDG Hub in Downtown Kitchener
>> 
>> 
>> This is a new space. The booking fee for the large room is $400/hour.
>> There is a smaller room for less, but they currently do not do evening
>> bookings.
>> 
>> 
>> ### Public library spaces
>> 
>> These may be available but not reliability. Prices vary from $50 at
>> some remote libraries in Kitchener (eg Forest Heights), to $150 for
>> two hours at the Waterloo Public Library.
>> 
>> ### Churches, Public Schools
>> 
>> In addition to a booking fee we would need to purchase liability
>> insurance. This may be possible but it seemed frustrating the last
>> time we looked because we are not a registered organization.
>> 
>> 
>> ### KWartzlab
>> 
>> The space is inaccessible (on the second floor) and there are no large
>> meeting spaces (maybe 15 people at most?). A KWartzlab member would
>> have to host.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Other Places to Investigate
>> ---------------------------
>> 
>> ### Workhaus or other coworking spaces
>> 
>> This would likely be expensive, but may be worth investigating.
>> 
>> 
>> ### Restaurants
>> 
>> This is likely not reliable, and there would be an expectation that
>> people purchase food and drink.
>> 
>> 
>> ### The Working Centre
>> 
>> The Queen St Commons building has hosted a few events since the end of
>> the pandemic, but Paul no longer has strong connections there. The
>> space is also somewhat inaccessible, although there are ramps at the
>> back.
>> 
>> St John's Kitchen is probably out of the question. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Events: https://feeds.off-topic.kwlug.org 
>> Housing: https://unionsd.coop
>> Blog: http://pnijjar.freeshell.org
>> 
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