Canucks Playoff Viewing Events

The City of Vancouver has launched their plan for maintaining order during the Canucks’ Stanley Cup Playoff run this year. Last year we made headlines around the globe after a riot broke out downtown following a public viewing of the Stanley Cup final. To avoid getting remotely close to the same situation this year, the city is being cautious.

Photo credit: Jeremy Lim / JeremyLim.ca – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool.

The CBC reported earlier that the focus would be on neighbourhood celebrations and that appears to be a core aspect of today’s official plan.

The City of Vancouver said they don’t want to shut down all celebrations during large events, but they want people to celebrate responsibly to minimize the risk to the public so as to avoid the events during the Stanley Cup final last year.

The City’s plans include implementing ideas such as allowing public viewing of games and celebrations at community centres, bars, pubs, and maybe theatres, should the Canucks advance into third and fourth rounds of the playoffs. But no crowds would be allowed downtown.

There will be no outside screens to watch the game. The City said they are considering block parties, but those would have to be organized by an event planner and no alcohol would be allowed.

The Vancouver Canucks will be involved and have partnered with the City. They will also be matching the City’s funding for the celebrations, which could be between $50,000 to $100,000. [Source: GlobalBC]

It’s always nice to watch games, especially of this magnitude, with friends and other fans. We need to remain safe and show the world that we’re not a region of sore losers with bad judgement. Remember how fantastic it felt when Canada won gold at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics? If we can regain even an iota of that sentiment — pride and respect — through our own hockey club this year just imagine how great that will feel.

I’d love to know, should the Canucks go the distance again this season, what would be your ideal plan for public viewings?

Update The Vancouver Canucks have launched a campaign to encourage responsible celebrations this season called “This is Our Home” that includes a series of public service ads.

‘This is Our Home’ is an extension of the organization’s season long efforts to strengthen that message, which has included in-arena videos and recognizing “local heroes,” to further raise the expectations that Canucks fans enjoy the hockey experience while conducting themselves in a respectful way.

You can view a behind the scenes photo gallery on their website as well.