Gatineau, August 17, 2022 – As Cirque du Soleil prepares to raise its big top at Zibi this Friday, the Board of Directors of the Place des Festivals Zibi is using this momentous occasion to celebrate five years of gatherings on the banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Gatineau.
Indeed, the Place des festivals Zibi made its debut in the summer of 2017, as the Cirque du Soleil presented Volta and Canada celebrated its 150th anniversary.
Since then, and despite the pandemic, more than 300,000 people have converged at the Place des festivals Zibi to take in Cirque du Soleil performances (2017 and 2019), to attend the NAC/Bluesfest Drive-In shows (2020), to take part in the Gatineau Festibière (2021 and 2022), to visit the Ecosphère, or to participate in the Canada Day festivities earlier this summer.
Economic impact exceeds $6 million
The Board of Directors of the Place des Festivals Zibi estimates the economic impact of each Cirque visit at nearly $2 million for the City of Gatineau and its merchants.
“Place des Festivals Zibi’s success is due to our partners at the City of Gatineau, Zibi, and Cirque du Soleil, who led the charge to make this site a reality in 2017. Together, we proved that not only is there an interest in this kind of downtown Hull gathering place, but that people are willing to travel in large numbers to take part in our events,” said Claude Hamelin, founder and general manager of the Place des Festivals Zibi.
“An important part of our vision for Zibi was to become a gathering place and to help revitalize downtown Gatineau and the banks of the Ottawa River. We are thrilled to have met and exceeded that goal,” added Jeff Westeinde, Zibi’s President.
$250,000 investment in infrastructure
“The Board of Directors would like to thank Cirque du Soleil for their $250,000 investment in infrastructure on the site, which ensures their return in 2024, and will support many more events to come,” announced Maxime Tremblay, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Place des Festivals Zibi.
“We couldn’t wish for a better partner and look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to the site for the next month and years to come.”
Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA will take place at the Place des Festivals Zibi from August 26 to September 25. Tickets are on sale at www.cirquedusoleil.com.
Information
Annie Boucher, [email protected], 613-863-3702
