Residential

Housing and residential life was a key focus in many of the drawings. The ratings demonstrate support for self-contained units with a variety of unit types, including units for families, singles, and the disabled. Coop living was mentioned as being a favourable housing model with access to shared common areas, including a kitchen. A mix of both market and non-market housing in the building received high ratings as well.

Many of the features listed under residential life pertained to the design of the building and suites. A studio or loft layout was mentioned several times, as was the need for a flexible design that could accommodate changes to the units and allowed for maximum space utilization.

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Health

Health uses and services were considered important enough by workshop participants to require their own category. Health services that emphasized complementary and alternative treatment and holistic services - especially Aboriginal healing methods - was the primary focus. Although a medical clinic was featured, most of the discussion described health as both physical and spiritual well being.

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Recreation

There was support for recreational facilities such as a gym, a swimming pool and a bowling alley. A roof top garden was also mentioned several times and was seen as an area to relax, practice Tai Chi, meditate, or grow food. Participants felt that the roof top garden(s) should not only be made available to residents of the building but also to other community members and the public.

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Cultural

Cultural uses in the building covered a wide range of activities, including art galleries, theatres and artist work studios. It was emphasized that cultural performance space in the building be multi-functional, allowing for a stage/amphitheatre area to be used for shows, presentations, plays and concerts. The vision of Woodward's was one that was spiritual and creative. There was also strong consensus around the need to retain and promote the history of the building and the surrounding area and communities.

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Commercial and Retail

The most popular commercial and retail use for the building involved a grocery store or food market. Although support for different models of a food store -- large scale, coop, or small scale market stalls -- received varying feedback, there was agreement that a grocery outlet is a feature that is presently missing in the community. A mix of other retail and commercial uses was also favoured. A model of public market style shops and services, including cafes and restaurants, was preferred. It was suggested that a grocery outlet and mixed retail use could not only meet the needs of local residents but also attract shoppers and tourists into the area to generate economic activity in the neighbourhood.

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Employment

Employment services emphasizing skills retaining were also featured many times in different drawings. Workshop participants wanted local community residents to be able to access skill up-grading services for employment and also have the opportunity to develop their own small businesses, perhaps with a link to the retail outlets in the building where, for example, artists might sell their art or crafts.

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Social

Social uses in the building include services such as a daycare, meeting rooms and space available for public use, and space for non-profit offices. The site is seen as a hub or connector of other services in the local area. A general resource centre was also mentioned several times. This resource centre may include access to telephones and computers for community residents, or a place that provides information and library services on a variety of issues, from holistic health to women's health. A community kitchen that the public could access to cook meals and hold meetings also ranked high on preferred social uses.

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Institutional

Institutional uses were not mentioned very frequently. The two uses mentioned included a School for the Performing Arts and the relocation of City Hall to the Woodward's site.

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General Design/Linkages

Many of the features listed were related to the general design of the building. For example, a central atrium or courtyard that is accessible to the public was mentioned several times, as was the need for the design to be pedestrian friendly with emphasis green transit, including bus transportation and biking.

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