Kevin Walters Plaza opens as renewed downtown gathering place outside the Burt

Kevin Walters Plaza officially opened June 26, bringing a renewed public gathering space to the doorstep of the Burton Cummings Theatre and creating new opportunities for downtown entertainment, community programming and connection.

The space honours Walters, a visionary leader and champion of Winnipeg’s arts and music scene whose legacy includes shaping Winnipeg’s reputation as a live entertainment city. Before his passing in 2014, he held roles as a concert promoter, entertainment manager and festival organizer and attracted many high-profile acts and events to Winnipeg as well as being instrumental in their planning and operations. The 2005 and 2014 Junos, 2008 Grey Cup and 2010 Manitoba Homecoming are notable events hosted in Winnipeg, thanks to Walters’ lobbying.

Formerly known as Odeon Park, the expanded footprint of Kevin Walters Plaza includes a stage, public seating, a public art installation and greenery, providing a gathering and activation space for True North and other community organizations.

A focal point of the new space is a public art installation by Frederick Spence, titled Maamaawi Naanaagadawendamowin (Gather Your Heart), which brings together Anishinaabe and western musical traditions and speaks to music, storytelling, friendship and community.

The memorial plaza is a result of support and endorsement from the music and civic community in wanting to permanently recognize Walters’ cultural and economic impact on our city and province and is an initiative of the City of Winnipeg, the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ and True North Sports + Entertainment.

Part of the City of Winnipeg’s post-COVID Downtown Recovery Strategy, which supports revitalization in key downtown areas including the Sports, Hospitality and Entertainment District and the Exchange District, the $1.25-million project was funded through the Province of Manitoba by the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response and Recovery Plan Provincial Strategic Infrastructure Basket.