The Woodward’s launch a week ago ended with a ‘salon’ – a panel hosted by author Robert Enright (who edited “Body Heat” about the project itself) – to discuss the origins and significance of Woodward’s.
The one word that appears repeatedly in my notes, used by the participants to describe their motivations, is “passion.” Just as appropriately, they could have used “pragmatism.” Like Liz Evans of the Portland Hotel Society who knew that the project would change the Downtown East Side but wanted to be at the table. Or Ian Gillespie, the developer, in his dealings with the bankers. Graciously, the panel gave credit to those not on stage – to SFU’s president Michael Stevenson who was determined to get Contemporary Arts downtown. Or the City’s Michael Flanaghan who, in ways unseen, made the project work financially for the City.
Perhaps what most people will remember, 
though, is the moving and remarkable story told by Gilbert, one of the young men who actually worked on the construction of Woodward’s, hoisting rebar as a Blade Runner. Woodward’s changed his life.
Finally, shots of some of those present that evening – just like they do in the ‘society’ columns, like the Courier’s Fred Lee, who now lives in Woodward’s. Hey, here’s Fred, munching on the lamb popsicles, with Fei and Milton Wong, whose contribution to the project made the experimental theatre possible:
City planner Brent Toderian: 
Architect Bing Thom: 
Real-estate consultant Herb Auerbach, landscape architect Cornelia Oberlander, and architect Bruno Freschi: 
BOB CEO Shirley Chan: 
Woodward’s Architect Greg Henriquez and son: 
SFU Cultural Affairs Director Michael Boucher (who helped pull the pieces together to make the evening possible): 
And, finally – with regrets to those I missed – some of those who shared in the experience. 
Great photo coverage of the Woodward’s event!