The mayor of Vancouver says he would like to organize watch parties for the Canucks’ playoff run, but the city needs to proceed with caution given two previous post-season runs ended in riots.
Outdoor watch parties have been set up in other Canadian cities such as Edmonton and Toronto during the NHL playoffs, but none have taken place so far in Vancouver.
“Can we pull something off? Absolutely,” said Mayor Ken Sim on Thursday.
“Are we going to do our work? Absolutely … We’re not just going to say, ‘Hey, let’s throw a party. This time will be different.'”
In 2011, the City of Vancouver set up public viewing areas for fans to watch Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final between the Canucks and Boston Bruins.
After the Bruins defeated the Canucks 4-0 in the decisive game, around 1,000 began rioting in downtown Vancouver, causing an estimated $3.78 million in damage in the span of about five hours, according to a report from the B.C. Prosecution Service.
Canucks fans also rioted when the team lost Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup final to the New York Rangers.
Sim has said in the past that he wants to bring fun back to Vancouver, which has a reputation for being “No Fun City.” On Thursday, he said time is needed to consider lessons from a nearly 400-page independent review of the 2011 riot.
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“I think the city realizes that I really like to have a good party as well, personally, and as mayor of Vancouver we have to be incredibly responsible and thoughtful … We have a history of 1994 and 2011 and we’ve been going through the reports and what we have to do is make sure we have a very safe event,” Sim said.
The organization representing businesses in downtown Vancouver says no viewing parties have been planned, but some of its 8,000 members say they do want something to happen as long as it can be done safely.
“When people do come downtown and they’re here to celebrate, there’s a big economic impact for our businesses,” Joshua Davidson of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association said.
The Canucks will face the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Friday in Game 3 of their opening-round playoff series. The Predators tied the best-of-seven series 1-1 on Tuesday with a 4-1 win at Rogers Arena.
Fans are invited to watch Game 3 at an away game viewing party at Rogers Arena. Tickets cost $15 with proceeds going to the Canucks for Kids Fund.
The City of Delta is hosting free viewing parties for each Canucks playoff game at Social Heart Plaza. Watch parties are also taking place at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre.