Officials mark grand opening of new plaza in downtown Abbotsford

ABBOTSFORD — Abbotsford community leaders have gathered for the grand opening of a new plaza at the heart of the city this afternoon.

Residents were invited to enjoy snacks and live music at the new West Railway Plaza, located in the intersection of West Railway Street and Montvue Avenue from 12:30 to 3 p.m. today (May 23), as officials marked the event with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

Deputy Mayor Loewen and Councillors Les Barkman, Patricia Driessen and Simon Gibson, as well as Downtown Business Association executive director Ryan Leonhard, were in attendance.

The plaza is part of the City’s plan to revitalize its historic downtown core, serving as a new public gathering space for events, performances, and street markets.

Public engagement for the project began in the winter of 2023, with construction starting in June last year.

The project, along with the realignment of Montvue Avenue, was intended to boost driver safety, create new crosswalks and multi-use pathways, and support commerce in the area.