The Diana Krall Plaza in downtown Nanaimo will be an event destination this spring and summer if the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association has anything to say about it.
The association reached an agreement with city’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission to co-manage events in the plaza.
Shari Molchan, DNBIA president, said the plaza often sits idle and she’s excited with the chance to promote the downtown.
“Our board is meeting in June to discuss with the marketing and events committee to see what they’ll come up with,” she said. “The Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup games on the big TV screen is just the start. We haven’t even scratched the surface of what we can do.”
Corry Hostetter, DNBIA general manager, said the idea to manage the plaza was in the works for a few months and the priority will be to fill it with as many people as possible.
“We want to market the plaza to organizations as a place to have events or fundraisers,” she said. “And our events committee is also focusing on hosting more of our events there as well.”
Liz Williams, city recreation and culture manager, said co-managing the plaza with the DNBIA is a positive plan.
"It’s a great outdoor space that just needs people around it to make it come alive and that’s what we’re hoping the DNBIA can help us out with,” she said.
The city will maintain the plaza, though the DNBIA will be responsible for cleanup following events.
The next Vancouver Canucks’ televised game in the plaza is Saturday (June 4) at 5 p.m.