'We don't want a repeat of what happened in the past': Vancouver easing into Canucks viewing parties
Given the ugly history of the riot than broke out when there were hockey playoff parties downtown, the City of Vancouver is starting small this Sunday with an event at Oak Meadows Park.
Oak Meadows Park is located at Oak and West 37 Avenue, a fair distance away from the downtown core.
“That’s the thoughtful intention here is that we don’t want a repeat of what happened in the past,” said Coun. Pete Fry. “That’s why we’re not doing a big activation right downtown.”
Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin said authorities are working with the city to chart the safest course forward as the playoffs continue.
“We’re continuing to work with the City of Vancouver so we can avoid these large viewing parties in the downtown core,” she said. “We’re continuing to give our recommendations on that.”
While the cost of damage from the 2011 riot amounted to an estimated $3.78 million, Sim said the price of opening the venues for this year's games "is minimal in the grand scheme of things."
"It's a time to celebrate and it's also a time to show off the fact that Vancouver fans can celebrate in a family friendly, fun and safe way," he said. "I think that will pay dividends going forward for our city and bringing swagger back to our city."
Visintin says overall crowds have been on good behaviour during this playoff run, but open alcohol has been an issue.
“We issued approximately 20-30 tickets per home game last round,” said Visintin
Alcohol is not allowed at Oak Meadows Park. The City of Vancouver does allow drinking at 31 parks throughout the year.
The city is providing porta-potties and is anticipating around 2,000 people in attendance.
“I’m not against the idea as long as people who gather here are respectful of the environment and don’t leave garbage behind,” said Jimmy Suh, a man who lives in the neighbourhood, adding he hopes the event wraps up by 11 p.m. so people can sleep in peace.
With limited parking available, the city is advising people to walk, bike or take transit and to plan ahead.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
ANALYSIS Will Donald Trump go to prison? What the precedent says
Now that the jury in Donald Trump's criminal trial has made the historic decision to convict him, the judge overseeing the case will soon face a monumental choice: whether to sentence the 2024 Republican presidential candidate to time behind bars.
Can Trump come to Canada now that he's a convicted felon?
A Canadian immigration lawyer says now that Donald Trump is a convicted felon, he is technically barred from crossing the border into Canada.
The northern lights are returning to night skies across Canada this Friday
If you missed the brilliant displays of the aurora borealis over North America on May 10, you may have another chance to see them on Friday night.
A pair enjoyed pricey meals and bolted when it was time to pay. Their dine and dash ended in jail
A Welsh couple who dined out on pricey meals and bolted when the bill came is now paying the price, behind bars.
Montreal tech billionaire charged with several sex offences
Robert Miller was charged Thursday with several sexual assault charges after Montreal police reopened an investigation into the tech billionaire.
Loblaw testing out small-format No Frills grocery stores
Loblaw is testing smaller-format discount stores across the country this year as shoppers increasingly look for ways to save on their grocery bill.
Here's what you should know about Donald Trump's conviction in his hush money trial
Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts marks the end of the former president’s historic hush money trial, but the fight over the case is far from over.
Doomsday plot: Jury convicts Idaho man of killing wife and girlfriend's 2 children
An Idaho man was convicted Thursday of killing his wife and his new girlfriend's two youngest kids in a strange triple murder case that included claims of apocalyptic prophesies, zombie children and illicit affairs.
Russian missiles kill 4 in Kharkiv after Biden OKs a Ukrainian response using U.S. weapons
Russian ballistic missiles slammed into an apartment block in Kharkiv and killed at least four people in a night-time attack, Ukrainian officials said Friday, a day after U.S. President Joe Biden gave Kyiv a green light to strike back with American weapons at Russian military assets targeting the country's second-largest city.