New Westminster could hold outdoor Canucks viewing parties

With the Vancouver Canucks heading into Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers, the topic of viewing parties is once again resurfacing.

Although there have yet to be any viewing parties in New Westminster, the city is looking at ways for residents to watch the series outside.

Coun. Daniel Fontaine moved a motion for viewing parties during Monday night’s council meeting, which received support from council members.

“The second part of the motion was looking at having an outdoor event at Hyack Square as well as connecting that to our Anvil Centre downtown,” Fontaine explained.

“Those motions were passed, and then there was an additional recommendation to look at some smaller satellite events outside of the downtown core.”

While nothing is planned for Wednesday night’s Game 1, the city will be working on setting up parties for the rest of the series.

“It may not be around for the first game of the second round but staffers are going to move as quickly as they can to get this activated and allow the public an opportunity to cheer on the Canucks,” Fontaine said.

–With files from Raynaldo Suarez