Those who’ve strived to revitalize downtown Charlottetown were rewarded for their efforts recently.
The Guild’s executive director, Alanna Jankov; Confederation Centre CEO, Jessie Inman and Cows Inc. VP of production and retail, Chad Heron, were presented with Downtown Charlottetown Inc. (DCI) awards during the non-profit group’s annual general meeting one recent evening.
Jankov was presented with the DCI President’s Award, which recognizes whose who have demonstrated outstanding efforts in support of the Business Improvement Area’s interests and goals.
DCI President Brian Howatt said The Guild was struggling before Jankov took on her role in 2012.
“(By) Applying her energy, experience and enthusiasm for the product she was able to turn The Guild into a vibrant, dynamic and well-loved cultural hub in downtown Charlottetown,” said Howatt.
Today, The Guild delivers more than 300 performances, 24 gallery exhibits and 80 performing and visual arts classes to more than 50,000 visitors and patrons per year, while also employing six full-time and more than 25 part-time staff.
“It has become a go-to venue where artists get much-needed exposure, arts groups have space to create and the community has a gathering spot where everyone feels welcomed,” said Howatt. “The Guild is now inclusive, relevant, accessible, exciting and entertaining… due to Alanna’s efforts and dedication to see it succeed.”
Cows Inc. was presented with the DCI Retailer of the Year Award for its corner store on Queen Street, which has been one of the brand’s busiest locations for more than 30 years.
“This location carries a staff of 25 throughout the summer and is known to cause lineups around the corner,” said award presenter and a DCI director Kerri Anne MacDougall. “The Queen Street store is located in a historic building, which adds a special charm. The exterior of the building was recently renovated and COWS took this opportunity to make some modernizations as well.”
The Confederation Centre of the Arts was awarded the DCI Business Improvement of the Year Award after making significant capital improvements to the 1,100 seat Homburg Theatre, which had not undergone major upgrades in almost 50 years.
Upgrades began during the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference in 2014 and were completed in March 2017 with the modernization of the existing stage lift. Other improvements included; the addition of two new balconies, new technical infrastructure and lighting, catwalks, the acoustical ceiling and many other aspects.
The evening also saw Claddagh Oyster House chef Mitchell Jackson presented with the WinterDine People’s Choice Menu award for 2018.
“Claddagh Oyster House’s Chef Mitchell Jackson created three amazing WinterDine menus, featuring offerings from both land and sea” said DCI executive director Dawn Alan.
The AGM also saw an update on both new and established DCI initiatives like; Downtown Dollars, the Holiday Gift Guide, Gritty to Pretty and the transformation of the old Coast Guard wharf.
The second annual State of the Downtown report was also given.
The DCI collects and presents information about the downtown every year to provide an annual snapshot, record trends and celebrate the area’s attributes.
“In all we do, we need to tract the impact of research data with metrics, the numbers tell the story, always measuring the outputs, outcomes and impacts” said Alan.
The AGM also saw members welcome TD Bank branch manager Jeff Likely to the group’s board of directors and said goodbye to outgoing director Jerry LeBlanc.
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