Content courtesy of the 2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society:

The 2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society celebrated another major milestone Wednesday with the renaming of the Canada Games Celebration Plaza to the Gary W. Harris Celebration Plaza following a significant donation from central Alberta businessman Gary W. Harris.

“The 2019 Games is extremely grateful to Gary W. Harris for this meaningful donation, which helps us create an accessible celebration space in the heart of downtown Red Deer,” said Lyn Radford, Board Chair with the 2019 Games. “The Gary W. Harris Celebration Plaza is going to be an incredible legacy for our community and is a true tribute to volunteerism in central Alberta, with volunteer recognition as an important component of the plaza design.”

“I believe in volunteerism and Central Junior High School was an integral part of my youth, so supporting this initiative that marries two of my passions was an opportunity for me to make a meaningful contribution to my community and leave a legacy,” said Gary W. Harris. “I am incredibly proud to have this future community gathering space called the Gary W. Harris Celebration Plaza in recognition of the valuable contributions of volunteers and to celebrate the 2019 Games.”

The Gary W. Harris Celebration Plaza is an inclusive and accessible gathering place for all in downtown Red Deer. An exciting legacy project of the 2019 Games, the plaza is currently under construction and scheduled to open in November 2018. During the 2019 Games, the plaza plays host to the major arts and cultural festival of the Games.