Sault would benefit from public New Year’s Eve event, councillor says

Sault city councillors back new winter tradition Councillor Angela Caputo is behind a motion calling on the city to explore hosting New Year's Eve parties downtown. Mike McDonald has more.

A pair of Sault Ste. Marie city councillors will be asking their colleagues to support a motion calling for a report on holding a city-sanctioned New Year’s Eve bash.

The suggested venue is the downtown plaza.

Large urban centres such as New York City have been holding New Year’s Eve ‘ball drop’ countdowns for decades.

Councillor Angela Caputo wants to see a similar gathering here, and she’s looking for input from the city’s administration on what that could look like.

“When I think about it, though, I have done some research and have seen a flag pole drop, a crane drop, or potentially a television screen drop,” Caputo said.

“We’ll see what fits Sault Ste. Marie the best and what’s going to make this event best for Sault Ste. Marie.”

Caputo said she’d like to see the event take place at the downtown plaza, which she said would be good for nearby businesses.

“I would like to see the actual ball drop event be free, and then folks be able to support local businesses for dinner or drinks and spend their money in that way with our partner businesses,” she said.

MEETING PLACE FOR EVERYBODY

Councillor Sonny Spina agrees with the choice of venue and said he’s happy to support Caputo’s motion.

“The plaza really is a natural meeting place for everybody,” Spina said.

“It’s in our downtown core. It’s a place where we do a lot of different events and it’s a place people have to come to love in our community. I’m excited to see if staff has any other recommendations, but I think this is a great spot for it.”

The motion before council also suggests holding a separate New Year’s countdown earlier in the evening for families with young children to attend.

It also asks city staff to report back on potential expenses tied to hosting such a gathering.