After lots of anticipation, the redeveloped Market Slip along Saint John’s waterfront is now open.
It is now known as Ihtoli-maqahamok, which means “The Gathering Space” in Wolastoqey.
Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon said she had the chance to walk it for the first time on Monday.
“In that first hour, I was probably stopped by about 10 people who were admiring it so much and were really, really taken with it,” Reardon told our newsroom.
The renovated plaza includes a new and expanded stage, an outdoor skating rink, and year-round restaurant patios.
There is also space for craft and food vendors and easy access for the public to enjoy the waterfront thanks to new tidal steps.
Reardon said the upgrades, which she described as world-class, will be great for residents and visitors.
“When you live in a community, you need to look at the quality of life for your citizens, so what can you put in place and what elements do you have that you can work with and develop,” she added.
The mayor said that developing the city’s waterfront has been one of the top priorities of the current and previous council.
That included securing outside funding to allow for the redevelopment of the public space at Market Slip as well as the Fundy Quay site next door.
Five multi-storey mixed-use buildings are in the process of being built on that site, with the first expected to be ready in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Harbour Passage extension around Fundy Quay is currently being painted and prepared for opening, according to Fundy Harbour Group, the company behind the development.
An official opening celebration for Ihtoli-maqahamok — The Gathering Space will take place at noon next Monday.
