Whoever said having a cold heart is a bad thing clearly didn’t take this event into consideration.
As part of an awareness campaign for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Bank Street BIA is commissioning a heart-shaped ice sculpture. The Canadian Ice Carvers Society will carve the sculpture at Snider Plaza, near Bank and Slater Streets.
“We hope to finish it in one day,” says Ikuo Kanbayashi, president of the CICS. “It will be six feet tall, with the BIA’s logo in the middle. Hopefully it’s not too cold!”
Kanbayashi founded the CICS 30 years ago. Today, the organization is the National Capital Commission’s largest supplier of ice sculptures, which decorate Confederation Park and the Canal during Winterlude.
Members of the society also compete internationally, at the World Ice Art Championships.
Calling upon the CICS seemed like a great way to generate awareness for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, says Christine Leadman, executive director of the Bank Street BIA.
“It’s a creative piece of art. It’s a reminder on the street about two things: Heart Month and Valentine’s Day,” she says. “It’s about promoting a healthy heart and being aware of the issues concerning heart disease.”
Leadman and Mayor Jim Watson will unveil the sculpture at the plaza on Jan. 31 at 11:00 am. During the ceremony, Watson will declare February “Heart Month”, marking it as a time to bring healthy living to the forefront.
After the event, Leadman and Watson will walk down Bank Street sporting red toques as a symbol for the month. Anyone who attends the unveiling will be able to purchase similar toques in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
On Feb. 22, the BIA will be hosting a run along Bank Street with Ottawa Race Weekend. Proceeds for the event will also go towards the Heart and Stroked Foundation.
It’s a gesture retailers on Bank Street are also backing.
“Anything the BIA does to draw people to the street and raise awareness about this important issue is good,” says Kevin Martin, managing partner at Stroked Ego.
This marks the latest effort by the BIA to liven up and humanize the street. On Halloween, the organization orchestrated a “zombie invasion,” which attracted hundreds of participants.
During the holiday season, the BIA also offered wrapping services in exchange for donations to the Centretown Emergency Food Centre. It managed to collect over 100 lbs. of food, says Leadman.
It’s these efforts, Leadman notes, that show retailers on Bank are more than just businesses, they’re community leaders.
“I think that retailers, [while] they are businesses, are also a part of the community. They’re trying to make our city a better place for residents. Being a part of efforts like this, which bring about better health, better fitness and being a part of the community shows they…aren’t just retailers.”