Organizers want residents to reconnect with the cores of Kitchener and Waterloo

The business improvement associations in Kitchener and Waterloo want residents to reconnect with the cores.

That's one of the reasons the Downtown Kitchener BIA and Uptown Waterloo BIA are co-hosting a party on Saturday to celebrate the launch of the ION.

"Sights & Lights" will be happening in both downtown Kitchener and Uptown Waterloo, from noon to 10 p.m.

Organizers say it's also a way to thank the many businesses in those areas that were impacted by the lengthy LRT construction.

"We want the region to thank our businesses. We want everyone to leave their car at home on Saturday," said Linda Jutzi, Executive Director of the Downtown Kitchener BIA.

"Sometimes things happened at the last minute that were hard to control, we did the best that we could. I know that Uptown was going through it too, to communicate to everybody about road closures and everything that was happening. But I think for businesses now, it's okay, that's stopped, the roads are open ... you can get to us, both of us and that's what we want to celebrate," Jutzi told The Mike Farwell Show on 570 NEWS.

The Executive Director of the Uptown Waterloo BIA says those businesses are looking forward to the opportunity that lies ahead.

"A lot of our businesses are just so excited that the LRT is coming, that's going to bring more people. And also the development along the LRT corridor, that's happening." added Tracy Van Kalsbeek. "We see a lot of it downtown, we see some of it in Uptown as well, where new condos are coming in and so a lot of folks, young professionals are moving in or retirees and they want to live in a vibrant area. That's really what's happening ... and will continue to see over the next ten years in both cores."

"Sights & Lights" will feature live music, kids programming, yoga, plus a scavenger hunt. You can check out the entire list of events on their Facebook page.

ION officially launches on Friday afternoon.

To celebrate, the ION and GRT buses will be free to ride from June 21 to July 1.