Moncton's Downtown Centre oval named after official devoted to city

Theskating oval outside Moncton'snew Downtown Event Centre will carry on the legacy of a long-serving city employee.

Fowler, who died in 2011, was the city's general manager of economic development, tourism and culture. His widow, Susan Fowler, said it's "a fitting tribute" to her husband's devotion to Moncton.

"Ian loved Moncton," she said during the ceremony."He would be so pleased to see this public gathering space.

"I'm pretty sure he would be humbled to think his vision for the city and some of the initiatives he's been involved in are being acknowledged in this way."

March opening

The $112-million downtown centre for sports and entertainment is expected to open in March 2018. The plaza will feature a skating oval, bandstand stage, a gazebo and green space.

"It's not being simply built for people to admire," Fowler said.

"It's part of this continued revitalization of downtown to make it a people place, where folks want to live and play as well as work."

The cost of the plaza has doubled since the initial estimate, to $4.3 million,a figureapproved by city council in April.

Donation from Manships

Fowler said the vision for a public space was shared byher husband and friends Jon and Leslie Manship. The Manships contributed $1.1 million to build the plaza.

Jon Manship, a Moncton entrepreneur who founded Spielo Gaming International, said the couple thought naming it the"Ian Fowler Oval" was a way to honour their friend's years of service.

Fowler "believed and worked tirelessly towards improving the lives of people in Greater Moncton through his work at the Magnetic Hill site, Centennial Park and the Downtown Centre," Manshipsaid.