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4 52 5 Continued from page 3 nicle | Thursday, August 17, 2023 ] 8 her departure in May. 3 Balaskanth: an, a Wilfrid Lau- 2 rier University alumnus, has housing and for 10 years as Wil- frid Laurier University's director of hospitality. most recently served as genteal manager of the graduate student association at the Uni- versity of Waterloo and has sat on various boards in the commu- nity, including the Lake Shore Optimist Club of Watnios the vate ae Develop- and the Cultur- al. ne Nelghioatheca Grant Committee. The Union Street resident said he already know: cal business operators on a first- name basis, having frequented many well-known local estab- lishments over the years such as The Duke of Wellington, Ethel's Lounge, and the former. Angie's chen. Now, making the city's core more ne an attractor is his main object "I have alot of ideas,” said Bal- askanthan, who represents a new chapter for an organization that says it wants to continue ex- ploring innovative ways to help local businesses following some us years with LRT con- struction. and COVID-19 pandem- ic restrictio a press release, Melissa Dorel, chair of the Uptown BIA board, said she looks forward ft meeting with Uptown Waterloo BIA Jeyas E Balashanthan j is the new the coming weeks to ensure the board, BIA staff and local busi- nesses are in alignment on an overall vision for the area during transformative time. “Broadly speaking, we would Qe Hear CANADA TURN UP LIFE, WATERLOO. Better hearing is here at your new HearCANADA centre, now open at Unit 3, 94 Bridgeport Road East. If hearing loss has lowered your life's enjoyment, it's time to turn it up! * Geta free hearing assessment from a certified professional* * Enjoy same-day fittingst « Leave with a hearing solution that suits your lifestyle Want to test drive the latest hearing tech for free? Call 1-866-623-3749 or pre-book online at HearCANADA.com the Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement (BIA). like to see increased visibility for our businesses, more foot traffic, community events and beautifi- 1 those over 50. t Available for waterloochronicle.ca ‘OUR TOWN IS OPEN FOR EVERYONE AND WE WANT EVERYBODY TO COME OUT TO BE PART OF IT’ cation efforts,” Durrell noted. ‘knowledged the strong leadership of Van Kalsbeek, who helped guide businesses through the pandemic. “We are excited to see how Jeyas can continue this impor- tant work, ensuring Uptown Wa- terloo continues to be a go-to des- tination for residents and tour- ists alike.’ said he plans to Hand program that help with events and pro! hate point “415 BIA mbers, only 40 represent the hospitality indus! las! than said, alluding to the see retail shops and service provid- ers in the area. on, fave a a Jot of great spaces and young ahits ora ayooda he said. m tag line is 'Come on up' and the thing that I've been thinking about is that our townis open for everyone and we want everybody to come out to be part Those wishing to reach out jeyas.balaskan- loo.ca. cultivate relationships and deliv- er innovative programming, before bandying about possibili- ties he wants to engage with BIA embers the weeks and months ane. He was at the Thur: night market at the Panne Public Library parking lot last week to get acquainted with patrons and purveyors and aims to grow community events with new ideas and the help ofes- tablished partners such as the city, as wellas the BIA's Hand-in- STORY BEHIND THE STO- Ry. The Uptown Waterloo BIA its new executive diector ‘and the Chronicle caught up for an intro. SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA