The Gastown Business Improvement Society is calling upon the community to gather together and help deep clean the neighbourhood in a festive fashion.
"It was a great community event last year and our members, residents and other community members really enjoyed it, and encouraged us to make this an annual event," a spokesperson for the Gastown B.I.A. tells V.I.A. in an emailed statement.
This year the event is being held on a Friday in the hopes that some of the B.I.A. office members join and then lead right into happy hour. "We also have commitments from some city councillors to be there too," says the spokesperson.
The B.I.A. sponsors a number of events each year and the City of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»offers support by providing supplies and garbage pick-up. Volunteers at the Gastown Cleanup Party will be given all needed cleaning supplies and a hi-vis T-shirt to work alongside friends and neighbours to music followed by a post-clean-up happy hour.
The B.I.A. is asking people to "be the change" and "give our beloved neighbourhood some TLC."
"There is no question that we need city services to both increase and be more reliable, especially in our business/tourist districts," the spokesperson tells V.I.A. "It is why the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»BIA Partnership made this request in a letter to the Mayor and Council that was sent out this month, and something we will be discussing in a meeting with the Mayor next week."
However, they continue, everyone has a responsibility to help keep the city clean. "If we all just stopped and picked up a cup, bag, etc. once or twice a day, we would see less litter on our streets."
The event will take place on Friday, April 21 in time to "welcome the change of season, the return of the cruise ships, and other visitors, with a clean Gastown."
Participants are encouraged to come as a crew and .
Gastown Cleanup Party
When: Friday, April 21, 3 - 5 p.m.
Where: Maple Tree Square - 2 Powell St.
