Centre not for sale but new game is

CHERRI GREENO

HANDOUT Kitchener Waterloo On Board is an "opoly-style" game being sold as a fundraiser for a Centre in the Square program that buys theatre tickets for school children.

KITCHENER (Oct 1, 2004)

Just in case you're wondering, the Centre in the Square is not for sale.

The Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty sign you see on the lawn is part of a fundraising campaign, not a notice of sale.

"It's generating quite a bit of interest," said Mary Joy Aitken, manager of development and marketing for the Centre. "That's what it's supposed to do."

In fact, the sign is advertising the launch of the Centre's Kitchener-Waterloo On Board -- an "opoly-style" property trading game that goes on sale today. (Monopoly, a trademark, can't be used in the campaign.)

The board games, selling for $39.99, are expected to raise $60,000 to $80,000. The money will be used to buy theatre tickets for school children and people who can't afford them in Waterloo Region.

The 40 properties on the game have all been sold to local companies and all the tokens and cards bear references to local landmarks.

The tokens include a wagon, beer stein, graduation cap and hockey player.

One of the cards reads: "You support the Kitchener-Waterloo Philharmonic Choir. Pay your $25 donation."

There is also a stack of coloured money.

"It plays just like a real game," Aitken said, noting that local references enhance the region's cultural identity.

"You relate to what you're landing on."

Starting tomorrow, games will also be for sale at several outlets, including Sobey's, three Canadian Tire stores (on Ottawa, Victoria and Weber streets) and the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce on Queen Street in Kitchener.

Of the 4,500 games ordered, 3,000 have already been purchased.

"We're absolutely thrilled with how well this has done," Aitken said.

The launch will begin today at 11 a.m. in the Centre in the Square lobby.

Prizes, including theatre tickets and a board game, will be given away.

For more information, including locations of where to buy the game, visit www.centre-square.com/kwonboard.html or call Aitkens at 578-5660, ext. 239.

cgreen@therecord.com