DVBIA starts talks ahead of another possible Stanley Cup run

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Keep the celebrations indoors. That’s what the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association hopes for plans for the playoffs, should the Canucks continue streaking.

Just last night, the Canucks beat the league’s best team. This morning, Charles Gauthier with the DVBIA talked to businesses about another potential cup run.

“They’re feeling somewhat anxious about the situation,” explains Gauthier. “But when we talk about how we’re communicating our preference for how we celebrate the Canucks, they’re going, ‘Yeah, that’s something we can live with.’ But they certainly wouldn’t be supportive of something like what we did last year.”

Gauthier thinks live sites just won’t work, with the riot still fresh in the minds of business owners downtown. “Our preference is that any kind of celebration of the Canucks being in the finals.. occur indoors where there are controls in place in terms of alcohol being service.”

“There’s also the capacity issue,” he adds. “It was evident that our streets can’t accommodate 150,000 people and make it safe and enjoyable for everyone.”

Gautheier feels the city has been very good about involving them in early discussions for celebrations. There are still outdoor gatherings downtown for other events, but Gauthier doesn’t expect them for this year’s hockey.

Gauthier was pleased with the first trial of a suspected rioter. He thinks the punishments they receive may act to discourage crowd outbreaks should they try live sites in the future.

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