Canucks in talks to host playoff fan fest outside B.C. Place: tourism minister
It’s unclear whether there will be full-on public viewing areas for Vancouver Canucks games during this Stanley Cup playoff run in the downtown core – but the hockey team is in talks about setting up a possible fan fest area outside B.C. Place.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Lana Popham alluded to the plan while speaking to reporters at the legislature on Thursday.
“We see that working really well at B.C. Place for the BC Lions and so it’s already been established that people know how to have fun right there,” Popham said. “It’s a great spot.”
Outdoor viewing parties are featuring heavily in other Canadian cities during this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs – with some Vancouver fans here feeling like they're missing out.
Canuck fans CTV News spoke with on Thursday said they wanted the return of outdoor viewing events – but acknowledged it would need to be done carefully given the 2011 riot.
That cautious view was shared by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim when asked about the possibility of the city giving the green light for these large-scale watch parties.
“We had 155,000 people there (in 2011) and when you look at the report that John Furlong put together, you could double the number of police officers there – and as the situation there unfolded, it wouldn’t have made a difference, so we’re being a lot more thoughtful,” he said at a news conference on Thursday.
As for the business community – which has its own scars from 2011 – it seems there’s support for viewing parties under the right circumstances.
“We’re definitely open to the idea of making sure we’re creating a buzz and creating excitement about these games, and if that’s a viewing party, we will support that, obviously ensuring safety measures are in place,” Downtown Van director of operations Joshua Davidson told CTV News on Thursday, speaking on behalf of the city’s business improvement association.
But even with talks underway there’s been no indication anything will be in place for Friday’s Game 3 between the Canucks and the Nashville Predators. Fans will however be able to buy tickets for a watch party inside Rogers Arena.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Hackers release corporate data stolen from London Drugs
Retailer London Drugs says cybercriminals who stole files from its corporate head office last month have released some of the data after it refused to pay a ransom.
Toronto man falls off his chair after seeing $70M Lotto Max win in his bank account
A Toronto man who won $70 million in a recent Lotto Max draw literally fell off his chair when he saw the funds in his bank account.
Montreal-area high school students protest 'sexist' dress code
Approximately 50 Montreal-area students — the vast majority of them female — were suspended Wednesday after their school deemed the shorts they were wearing were too short. On Thursday, several students staged a walk-out to protest what they believe is a "sexist" dress code that unfairly targets girls.
McDavid scores in 2OT to lift Oilers over Stars in West Final opener
Connor McDavid tipped Evan Bouchard's shot from the boards past Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger 32 seconds into the second overtime to give the Edmonton Oilers a 3-2 win in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final..
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished. It used to be the sort of place where parents let their kids roam free or play in the local creek, but everything has changed.
What is 'slapped cheek disease' and should parents be concerned?
Despite its rough name, experts say most cases of 'slapped cheek disease' are mild and not a cause for concern.
American Airlines retreats after blaming a 9-year-old for not seeing a hidden camera in a lavatory
American Airlines has distanced itself from a court filing in which the carrier said a nine-year-old girl should have noticed there was a camera taped to the seat of an airplane lavatory.
Unknown Newfoundland soldier from the First World War heads back home from France after 100 years
Canadian soldiers and government officials arrived in northeastern France this week for a historic mission: returning an unknown Newfoundland soldier back home.
Calgary Philharmonic takes action following investigation into 'deeply troubling' comments by 2 musicians
The Calgary Philharmonic has confirmed its taking action after controversial online comments made by two members of the orchestra.