Residents of Sparwood gathered together by the hundreds to celebrate the grand opening of Centennial Plaza on August 18, during a special event coined Summer Fest. The celebration kicked off with guest speakers Rory O’Connor from Teck, Will Nixon from Columbia Basin Trust and Sparwood Mayor David Wilks, speaking to the importance the space will play in Sparwood’s future. Concluding the speeches, a ribbon was cut, officially opening the Plaza to the crowd.
Hosted in conjunction with the Sparwood Farmers Market and Teck, Summer Fest saw the Markets annual Kids Fest event fill the Plaza with children’s activities and local vendors. Residents enjoyed a free BBQ, listened to live music and spent the evening enjoying one another’s company, just as envisioned from the conception of the project. The Plaza, substantially funded by grants and donations from generous supporters like the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, Columbia Basin Trust and Teck showcased the importance of community gathering spaces and how inclusive and important they can be.
“It was really wonderful to see how many people attended the event and enjoyed the physical space and atmosphere it provided. It may have been hard for some to envision the Plaza complete as construction was underway, but seeing it finished and utilized for a large community event, really showcased what it was all about,” says Sparwood Mayor David Wilks. “It didn’t matter what age people were, what their background was, what mobility challenges they may have been experiencing, they could all access and move freely around the Plaza. Overall, the feedback was positive, people had fun and saw the value the Plaza brings to the community as a whole.”
Next year, the space will transform again as the addition of a stage and washrooms are incorporated, enhancing the ability to host all types of outdoor events and large gatherings in a way Sparwood has not seen before. “The stage will create the ability to host music festivals, plays and events effectively and will further increase the diverse usability of the space,” says Mayor Wilks. “With this being a significant priority of Council, we are glad to see it complete and excited for the additions yet to come. We sincerely thank all those who supported this project, and residents and businesses who patiently awaited its completion.”
Left to right: Tammy Ogden, Teck, Coordinator, Community Relations, Will Nixon Columbia Basin Trust, Senior Manager Delivery of Benefits, District of Sparwood Councillors Amy Cardozo, Chris Nand, Sam Atwal, Rory O’Connor, Teck Manager, Social Responsibility and Sparwood Mayor David Wilks cut the ribbon officially opening the Plaza.
Photo Credit: Vince Mo
View more photos from the event below. Photo Credit: Vince Mo.
Post Date: September 1, 2023 | Category: News & Updates