SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — By the end of this summer, more people will be finding out the many things downtown Summerside has to offer as a revitalization plan is set to turn it into a more attractive destination for residents and tourists.
Lydia Potter, the executive director of Downtown Summerside Inc., said the group plans to conduct a campaign to rebrand downtown and get people active while they learn what the area has to offer.
“We want to make downtown a great place where people would like to visit, live in and become a part of,” she said.
“At the end of June, we will place trivia signs along the waterfront boardwalk to get people asking questions about what’s in the area while walking a number of steps to find the answer.”
A trivia question can include, “Where do you go to make old furniture new again?” The answer, which will be stuck to a lamp post along Water Street, is “The Hive Nurturing the Creative Self,” said Potter.
“It’s a great way to encourage people to get active while discovering downtown because there are so many stores that people are not aware of in this area,” she said.
“Large colour-coded banners will stretch along the boardwalk and part of the Confederation Trail and represent themes that include history, leisure, arts, eats and shops. The banner could have one word across it, such as ‘egg rolls’ as a trivia question, with a clue to take 800 steps that will then lead you to a Chinese restaurant.”
Banners strategically placed across downtown can include facts about the health benefits of walking or eating lobster, both of which can help curb depression.
Robert Gallant, president of Downtown Summerside Inc., said he plans to bring a classic car event to downtown.
“I’m currently asking the public what days would be best to host a classic car event,” he said. “Because we need to get some things happening downtown.”
For more information about happenings in downtown Summerside, visit downtownsummerside.com.