Winnipeg, MB – Kevin Walters Plaza is ready to bring Winnipeggers together in the name of entertainment – just like its namesake did for decades.
This morning, The City of Winnipeg and partners gathered at the plaza, formerly known as Odeon Park, to officially open the recently renamed and revitalized space.
Anchored by the Burton Cummings Theatre, the plaza will complement the existing outdoor space provided across the street at Odeon Park. Together, they create a larger event space with a new name, new amenities, and new public art installation.
The $1.25-million project was funded in part by $1.2 million from the Community stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund (formerly Canada Community-Building Fund).
“The reimagining of the Odeon Park into the Kevin Walters Plaza is an important investment in downtown Winnipeg, transforming the space into a welcoming public gathering place for residents and visitors alike,” said Ginette Lavack, Member of Parliament for Saint-Boniface—Saint-Vital and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services. “It is especially meaningful to see public art at the heart of this project, celebrating Winnipeg’s vibrant cultural community and helping bring new energy to our downtown.”
The park expansion is part of a larger City of Winnipeg post-COVID Downtown Recovery Strategy that aims to revitalize – among other areas – both the Sports, Hospitality and Entertainment District (SHED) and the Exchange District.
"Kevin Walters Plaza is another important investment in our downtown’s revitalization and future," said Mayor Scott Gillingham. "It is fitting that this renewed public space, located beside one of Winnipeg’s most iconic performance venues, now bears Kevin’s name. He believed in the power of live events to bring people together, supporting local artists, and showcasing everything that makes our city special. Thank you to our government partners and everyone who helped make this project possible."
City Council voted in May 2026 to rename the space in a nod to Kevin Walters, a well-known and revered champion of live music and entertainment in Winnipeg.
Walters worked tirelessly as a concert promoter, entertainment manager, and music industry professional for decades prior to his death in 2014.
He played a pivotal role in bringing to Winnipeg numerous festivals and awards shows including the 2006 Grey Cup Festival, Canadian Country Music Awards and JUNO Awards.
“Kevin Walters believed in Winnipeg and invested in the people who make it great. He championed local artists, supported live music, and helped build a stronger cultural community,” said Councillor Evan Duncan, who brought forward the motion to rename the space.
“The response from residents, artists, and industry leaders speaks to the impact Kevin had on our city. Naming this plaza in his honour is a fitting tribute to someone who helped shape Winnipeg’s cultural community.”
The plaza will serve as a renewed, permanent public gathering space that celebrates our city’s vibrant cultural, arts and music scenes. It will also provide concert and special event space for programming from True North Sports and Entertainment and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ.
“Kevin was a relentless supporter of music and performance in our city,” said Kevin Donnelly, senior vice president for True North Sports and Entertainment. “His energy and personality put Winnipeg on the map nationally and internationally but also allowed us to celebrate ourselves as a community – he was simply an unforgettable force of character and good will.”
"This new plaza is a fitting tribute to Kevin Walter's legacy", said Kate Fenske, CEO, Downtown Winnipeg BIZ. "It's a place where people will gather, celebrate, and create new memories through music, culture, and community connection. The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is proud to support spaces like this that bring energy and vibrancy downtown, and we’re excited to see the continued momentum and visible progress building across our neigbourhood.”
Perhaps the most visible difference from old to new plaza is a striking public art installation by Frederick Spence, funded by the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.
Maamaawi Naanaagadawendamowin (Gather Your Heart) brings together Anishinaabe and western musical traditions and speaks to music, storytelling, friendship and community. At its centre is a cross-legged figure holding a drum and mallet. The drum is shaped like a film reel, referencing the nearby Burton Cummings Theatre and the site’s history as a music and film venue.
“This piece really reflects how the park is meant to be used as a place to gather, share stories, and build connection,” said Winnipeg Arts Council Executive Director Dominic Lloyd. “It’s a great way to enhance this wonderful new public space and to honour Kevin’s legacy as a champion of local artists and Winnipeg’s live music scene.”