Mississauga Opens the GTA's Newest Outdoor Event Destination

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 22, 2011) - Today, an outdoor Council Meeting showcased Mississauga Celebration Square -- a new state-of-the-art event destination in downtown Mississauga. The $40 million Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF) has transformed the former Civic Centre and Central Library Squares into a versatile outdoor venue capable of accommodating up to 30,000 people for special events, cultural and community festivals, concerts, promotional events and unique programming.

Features of Mississauga Celebration Square include:

• permanent stage with high-performance sound and lighting system,
• media screens on both sides of the stage for programmable and interactive digital messaging and arts,
• large lawn for audiences or activities,
• trellised open air market area with 40 serviced vending stalls,
• new water feature with recessed water jets,
• large ice skating rink with new ice-making technology for a longer skating season,
• redeveloped Amphitheatre for 350 people,
• a glass pavilion adjacent to the Central Library for reading, relaxing or socializing, and
• forested and raised gardens throughout the site.

"We have achieved our goal of creating a place where people of all cultures and backgrounds can come together to celebrate and participate in daily activities that form the identity of a community," said Mayor Hazel McCallion. "From passive programs to large-scale events, this is where we can get excited about our city."

Mississauga Celebration Square officially opened with an outdoor Council Meeting conducted from the main stage. Deputations included presentations highlighting the development, features and planned use of the Square and concluded with a Water Ceremony. All three levels of government who funded the project participated in the official ceremonies.

"The redeveloped Square showcases Mississauga as a leading urban city," said City Manager Janice Baker. "We envision it as a major outdoor community centre and a vibrant destination for residents to enjoy for years to come."

As Canada's sixth largest city, Mississauga is home to 734,000 residents and 55,000 businesses, including 63 Fortune 500 companies with Canadian head offices or major divisional head offices. A diverse, progressive and award-winning municipality located on the shores of Lake Ontario in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area, Mississauga is "Leading Today for Tomorrow" by focussing on delivering services, implementing its Strategic Plan, delivering value for money, maintaining infrastructure and continuing to be an employer of choice.