St. John’s City Council has rejected an application for an indoor amusement park inside the old Previously Loved building on Kenmount Road.

Six councillors voted against the proposal moving forward while four were supportive. There was one abstention.

The main issue is parking at the site, with the city requiring nearly 40 additional spaces. The prospective owner was given time to look at solutions, but nothing could be hammered out.

Greg Noseworthy voted in favour of the application.

He likens the business to a gym, where they want high membership levels but parking “never is satisfactory.” However, he says those types of businesses never see everyone going there at the same time, and from speaking with the proponent he believes this business will be the same way.

Noseworthy also states that the facility would be close to major bus routes and many kids would be dropped off and picked up.

Deputy Mayor Ron Ellsworth, who voted against the application, disagrees.

He says those businesses do have peak times and many kids don’t just get dropped off.

He says the proponent told them via email that other nearby businesses either would not, or could not, give them some extra space. Ellsworth fears that those businesses would be impacted by other people parking in their lots to go to the facility.

The proponent behind the development believes there is a disconnect between the information provided to council and how it was interpreted.

Owner not giving up on proposal

Kevin Zhao says council discussion surrounded the number of parking spaces required, but he believes there are greater fundamental questions to be addressed.

That includes “what is the correct parking requirement for space, as opposed to use? That was really my first impression after I read the report.”

What’s next for Zhao?  He says he’s not giving up on his dream.

” I definitely will reapply,” says Zhao once he reads over the city planning department’s reasons for rejection.

Listen to “Kevin Zhao – Magic Island Amusement Park” on Spreaker.