Les Gagne, former Sparks Street BIA executive director and the man behind Ottawa’s PoutineFest, hasfinally commented on his unexpected dismissal from the BIA position in November.
While he says he is still unable to address in detail why he was let go from his position by the Business Improvement Area’s board of directors, Gagne expressed “huge surprise” over his abrupt departure as Sparks Street’s chief promoter, as well as pride in various accomplishments during the two years he spent on the job.
“Their decision left me asking what would be the different direction when you look at the massive challenges I had to deal with,” Gagne says, citing “the worst construction in Sparks Street’s history,” as well as empty shops, online retailers and the increased competitive pressures from retail hubs such as the Rideau Centre and Tanger.
Kevin McHale, program and events co-ordinator at the BIA, says the BIA can’t officially comment on any personnel matters, including statements released by past employees.
He does say no new staff members have been hired yet, and, “there’s a number of issues that we are still trying to work through that we need to address and get taken care of before we can look at our staffing needs.”
McHale says as the merchants’ association works out those problems, everyone at the BIA has taken over a bit of Gagne’s former job.
“At the moment it’s kind of a collaborative effort here. We’ve all just picked up a little bit extra right now and we’re chugging along,” says McHale.
McHale wouldn’t address whether the BIA will be pursuing any of the ideas from Gagne’s five-year plan. “The board will make decisions as we’re going ahead with the continued operations along the street,” he says. “Just because you want to do (certain things) doesn’t mean you can.”
Gagne’s five-year plan is a list of ideas he had about the future of Sparks Street, “which would have been in high gear in time for 2017 and Canada’s 150th birthday,” Gagne states.
It includes things such as the Stanley Cup Monument, gateway arches, free Wi-Fi, and more events at the pedestrian mall.
Buck Chenier, manager of Nate’s Deli, says he was he was surprised to hear Gagne was let go.
“He was fantastic for Sparks Street,” says Chenier, who noted that he only had dealings with Gagne for a few months.
During his two years at the Sparks Street BIA, Gagne was responsible for some of Ottawa’s most popular and well known events, such as the PoutineFest, Ribfest, and the family-focused New Year’s Eve party.
Currently, Gagne is working as the festival director of a new rival PoutineFest that will be competing with the Sparks Street PoutineFest at the end of April. After that, he will be moving on to planning a rival Ribfest.