Officers' Square reopens in downtown Fredericton after years of construction

Six years of sometimes controversial transformation came to an end in downtown Fredericton on Friday evening as a large crowd came to Officers' Square for its long-awaited reopening.

The historic public plazahas been under renovation since 2018, and is now thehome of a skating rink in the winter and a gathering place during warmer months.

Dignitaries from the city, province and Wolastoqey Nation joineda crowd of more than500 peopleon a warm, sunny evening to kick off a weekend of festivities in honour of the new space.

With performances from the Muskrat Singers drum circle, Wolastoqiyik Dancers and Sisters of the Drum, the opening ceremony reflected a strong theme of friendship and collaboration between the city and First Nations.

"I want to thank Mayor Kate [Rogers] and city council members for building those relationships with us,"Sitansisk First Nation Chief Allan Polchies told the crowd.

"But more importantly, building the relationship with this whole city. This project here took a few years, takes time because you've got to collaborate with the residents."

The project has not been without controversy and pauses in work. Activists called on the city to drop the project altogether in the beginning, even wrapping trees in blankets to protest their removal.

Construction workers also dug up British, Acadian and Indigenous artifacts.

Indigenous consultation from city has improved, grand chief says

Wolastoqey Grand Chief Ron Tremblay told the crowd the relationship between his nation and the city hasn't always been positive.

"At the beginning, we were opposed to the building of this here," Tremblay said. He explained that the previous mayor and council didn't consult with First Nations.

"That's what we were concerned about, if they found any remains or any tools that our people used way back when," Tremblay said.

But when Mayor Kate Rogers and her council created a liaison position to go between the city and First Nations, the attitude changed, he said.

"Thanks for building this continuous relationship," Tremblay said.

Mayor says project showed importanceof public input

In an interview with Information Morning Fredericton on Friday, Rogers said the opening of the square feels like an accomplishment.

Public concern over removal of some trees on the property was a moment that made Rogers realize how significantthe changes were.

"That was a little bit, you know, that made us do a reset and say, okay, this isn't exactly what people want. And, we need to rethink this with them."

The city then held several outreach meetings and sessions to hear about residents' concerns, Rogers said.

"I think it was that moment when our city really learned howit is that we need to properly engage on these transformative projects," Rogers said.

Shesaid the opening of the skating rink over the winter proves the project has been a success.

"I think all one had to do is go downtown this winter and see how well used, how much used that the skating rink was by people of all ages,"

The overall plans for the square were improved by thepublic consultations, Rogers said.

"And I hope when they're in the park, they feel that it's more the space that they were imagining."

The main event atFriday's grand opening was a performance by Jeremy Dutcher, a local artist from Neqotkuk First Nation.

In an interview with CBC's Shiftlast week, Dutcher said he was excited to open up the space in a good way with his performance.

"There have been artifacts and lots of amazing historical items that have been found at that site, it was a gathering place for our ancestors," Dutcher said.

"And so I think we're just going to continue to reaffirm that, and just welcome people to the continuation of that space."