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Gary W. Harris Celebration Plaza celebrates grand opening

Feb 13, 2019 | 1:15 PM

The final capital project for the 2019 Canada Winter Games celebrated its grand opening Wednesday morning.

Located next to Central Middle School, The Gary W. Harris Celebration Plaza is designed to provide an inclusive and accessible gathering place for all in downtown Red Deer that celebrates the strong volunteer community our city is known for.

Gary W. Harris himself was among the many that were on hand for the grand opening.

 

 

“As a former student of Central Elementary School and supporter of volunteerism, I am proud to support a project that revitalizes downtown Red Deer and stands as a tribute to the numerous volunteers in central Alberta,” he said. “This celebration space stands as an important legacy of the 2019 Games for our community.” 

“We are extremely grateful to Gary W. Harris, the Donalds and all our donors for their meaningful contributions that helped us create an accessible celebration space in the heart of downtown Red Deer, thank our strong volunteer community and leave a legacy art project that highlights the athletic excellence, community spirit and the significance of the 2019 Games in Red Deer,” said Lyn Radford, Board Chair with the 2019 Games.

We are preserving a heritage building in Red Deer’s downtown with the intent to re-purpose it into a vibrant community destination,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “Over the next two weeks, thousands of people will gather here to enjoy Red Deer’s largest outdoor cultural winter festival, during the largest event ever hosted in Central Alberta and the Gary W. Harris Celebration Plaza helped make this possible.”

The plaza plays host to the 52° North Music + Cultural Festival featuring Juno and Canadian Country Music Association award winners throughout the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

It was also announced Wednesday that Jack and Joan Donald are the donors of the 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Art Project, Unity Through Sport – 2019. The art project is featured at the plaza.