Council to vote on motion to rename park for Kevin Walters

Odeon Park — a nondescript plaza in front of the Burton Cummings Theatre — is one step closer to being renamed in honour of Kevin Walters, a leader in Winnipeg’s live music industry who died in 2014.

At city hall Tuesday, the executive policy committee unanimously carried a motion to redub the 970-square-metre space — a junction at the intersections of Notre Dame Avenue, King and Smith streets that hosts the Burt Block Party in August — as Kevin Walters Plaza. To make the change official, the motion will be brought to the council at large for final approval later this month.

The motion was brought to EPC by Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood councillor Evan Duncan.

“I’ve heard from countless residents, artists and industry leaders across our city who were impacted by Kevin’s profound generosity and vision,” Duncan said in a release. “Naming this plaza in his honour right on the doorstep of ‘The Burt’ will rejuvenate a vital public footprint and create an inclusive gathering place that reflects the soul of Winnipeg’s creative community.”

Walters’ life in live entertainment began in high school, when he was often responsible for booking bands to play teen dances. A capable hand whose experiences in arts management covered a wide spectrum, Walters worked as a DJ, a club manager at Night Moves, a booking agent with the Hungry I Agency, and an artist manager through his company Twin Productions. For a time, he worked as the merchandising manager for Canadian alt-rock icons Barenaked Ladies.

For over a decade, Walters worked with Manitoba Film & Music, helping local bands reach national and global audiences with his guidance and expertise. He played a key organizational role in the planning of the 2006 Grey Cup Festival in Winnipeg and was a founder of the Prairie Music Awards, now known as the Western Canadian Music Awards.

With the Juno Awards returning to Winnipeg in 2027, it’s worth remembering that Walters was instrumental in bringing the event to the city in 2005 and 2014.

Walters is also remembered each year through Manitoba Music’s Kevin Walters Legacy Award, recognizing emerging professionals working toward careers in the music industry. Given out since 2015, past winners include label managers like Kerri Stephens, Stu Anderson and Elise Roller, plus concert promoters, festival organizers and musicians including Gilad Carroll, Alan Greyeyes, Keisha Booker and MJ Dandeneau.

Since 2020, Manitoba Music has also given out the Kevin Walters Memorial Songwriter Award, whose recipients include Matt Schellenberg, Rayannah, Sebastian Gaskin, Lana Winterhalt, David and Joey Landreth, Jade Turner and Mattmac. Both awards are presented annually in June.

Kevin Donnelly of True North Sports + Entertainment, which owns the Burt, says the public reminder of Walters’ contributions as an industry builder is a fitting tribute to a “generational leader and tireless champion for bringing world-class arts and cultural events to Winnipeggers.”

“Naming this public plaza in front of the Burton Cummings Theatre creates a permanent civic legacy that perfectly matches his relentless passion for community and entertainment,” Donnelly said in a release.

The city says that funding for custom plaza signage will be fully covered by the Assiniboia Community Committee Land Dedication Reserve, “requiring zero draw from the city’s general capital budget.”

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