The Victoria Park Master Plan was a framework for development of the 15.7 hectare site created for the City of Owen Sound in 2011 by Benj Art Inc. Landscape Architects & Contractors.  "Victoria Park was donated by the government to the people of Owen Sound in 1842, and was formerly know as ʻThe Pleasure Groundsʼ (a term commonly given to parks during the Victorian era, that differed from other public gardens in that they contained entertainments in addition to planting). The site has seen a rich history of recreation and amusements over the years - including horse races, balloon ascensions, baseball games, Highland Games (some of the earliest in the Ontario), parades, celebrations, bicycle races, snowmobile races, daredevil stunts, athletic events and various sports matches and festivals/fairs. While the functions and requirements of the park evolved it has always provided an essential urban green space, celebrated by the city."

Here is what the plan, received by City Council of the day, had to say about the grandstand that is currently under an "unsafe order".

"With the removal of the oval track, the location of the existing grandstand requires review. It will most likely be too far from the sports field to be practical as spectator seating for Football/ Soccer events. The structure itself is in need of repair and visually unappealing, especially as such a central element to the park.

However this structure does provide elevated views of the site and surrounding city- scape and is used frequently by visitors to the park as a place to sit.

Benj Art Inc. proposes a new smaller Grandstand of approximately 1000 seats be built closer to the sports field. In addition to this, space should be allocated along the North side of the sports field to allow for the easy set up of portable bleachers during key events. Such movable seating could be easily repositioned to other areas within park (i.e. Skate/Bike Park) should events there require additional spectator seating. Extra informal spectator space is also provided for, along the proposed sloped turf berm surrounding portions of the running track/sports field. There is an opportunity for the new Grandstand structure to be designed with additional storage/space underneath, for use by the Agricultural Society as storage and/or potential revenue (as per existing facilities).

Relocating the main Grandstand also opens up a key east-west axis through the park, something Benj Art Inc. sees as a key opportunity for the new park (see Central Promenade on page 15)."

source: City of Owen Sound website