Vancouver's New Year's Eve 2015 celebration at Canada Place approved

Vancouver is joining the league of cities around the world with a public, free New Year's Eve event downtown.

City council voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve $125,000 in funding for the New Year's Eve Celebration Society to produce the event near Canada Place, on Dec. 31.

The event will feature live music, fireworks, food trucks and family-friendly entertainment, with countdowns at 9 p.m. for those with younger children and at midnight for those who can stay up late.

It will also feature a smaller, ticketed viewing zone where people will be able to buy alcohol. 

"We're very pleased with council's support," said Charles Gauthier, president of the society and president of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association.

"We've had strong community support and strong corporate support, so having the city on board is great."

A motion for city staff to look into the possibility of such a party was originally put forward to council in 2013 by NPA Coun. George Affleck.

"Anybody who lives in Vancouver knows there's a missing component to New Year's Eve here," said Affleck. 

Vancouver hasn't hosted a similar event for New Year's Eve in more than a decade. 

The event is being led by the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, in collaboration with Tourism Vancouver, Port Metro Vancouver, Starbucks, the Vancouver Convention Centre, event production company brand.LIVE, and media outlet Vancity Buzz. 

In total, the celebration will cost about $400,000. Gauthier said organizers have already secured funds through private sponsors and in-kind donations.

Event cancelled last year

Organizers had intended to produce the event last year, but it was cancelled due to a lack of money. 

"The challenge that any event has, especially a startup, is securing sponsors and getting grants," said Affleck.

"You really can't get the money and you can't sell it until you've shown that you can do it."

Gauthier said, this year, organizers worked months in advance to secure all the details and funding for the event.

Affleck dismissed safety concerns of having a large group of late-night revelers in one area by pointing to past public events like the Grey Cup and the Olympic Games. 

He said he hopes the event will grow, and eventually join the status of New Year's Eve celebrations like those in London, Sydney, and New York City.