The City of Vancouver announced Wednesday that it will in fact hold Canucks playoff viewing parties, but it won’t take place in downtown.
Viewing parties will be held at Oak Meadows Park, which is located at located at Oak Street and West 37th Avenue. The park is across the street from VanDusen Botanical Garden.
Dubbed “Playoffs in the Park,” the first viewing party will take place on Sunday, May 12th at 6:30pm for game 3 of the Canucks second round series against the Edmonton Oilers.
The free, family-friendly public viewing party will be set up in the north end of the park and the City says the area can accommodate up to 2,000 people. Porta potties will be available and sanitation services will be increased to maintain a “clean, usable park space for everyone”.
If the Canucks advance to the Western Conference Final, the City will host viewing parties at the PNE that can accommodate up to 6,000 people.
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“The playoffs are all about bringing people together,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “Whether you’re a die-hard fan or getting swept up in the Canucks spirit for the first time, head to Oak Meadows, pull up a chair with your neighbours or (hopefully) raise a beer at the PNE. It’s time to turn the city blue and green and cheer on the Canucks to victory while creating fun memories with friends and family.”
“We’re so pleased to be hosting these viewing events at our community centres and at one of our much-loved parks,” says Park Board Chair Brennan Bastyovanszky. “These spaces are the perfect settings for Vancouverites to safely gather, connect and celebrate the Canucks’ incredible playoff journey.”
In a release Monday morning, the City of Vancouver said they are “exploring potential public viewing opportunities for round 2 and beyond” and they “hope to have more to share in the coming week”.
“The City is very aware of the high interest in places for community to come together to watch the Canucks,” says the release.
Last month, Ken Sim explained why no viewing parties were being planned in Vancouver at the time.
“We have to be incredibly responsible and thoughtful. We have a history of 1994 and 2011,” Sim said to reporters.
“I would love to throw a party right now, but we have to be responsible,” added Sim.