Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
- Former premier Peter Lougheed passed away in Calgary on Thursday. “Alberta owes its strength to Peter Lougheed, a political titan unlike any this province has ever produced.” Flags are being flown at half-mast at all City of Edmonton buildings to pay tribute.
- The downtown arena was back in the news again this week, with the Katz Group asking for several new concessions, including a $6 million annual subsidy. Council voted to reaffirm the previous agreement, and that means the project is now very much on the rocks. Here is the Katz Group’s letter to City Administration, and here is the organization’s statement made after City Council voted against changing the terms of the deal.
- The Canadian Infrastructure Report Card was released this week, and Edmonton actually did pretty well. We received the same ratings as the national assessment: roads are in “fair” condition, wastewater systems are in “good” condition, and storm water systems are in “very good” condition.
- Lynden Dorval, the teacher at the centre of the no-zero grade controversy, was fired Friday afternoon by Edmonton Public Schools. “I was still hopeful this wouldn’t occur, but I believe the superintendent had made it clear long ago that his mind was made up,” Dorval said Friday. “I tried to steel myself for this outcome but I had some hope it wouldn’t come to this.”
- The City unveiled Edmonton’s first bike box at the intersection of 116 Street and 87 Avenue this week. Learn more here.
- EEDC’s board of directors will now be joined by two youth interns, Brad Williams and Christel Hyshka. Christel will also serve as the new EEDC-NextGen liaison.
- City Council approved zero lot line homes this week, which means homes in new suburbs can be as little as 1.5 metres apart on lots that are 7.6 metres wide.
- A new survey of employers by Manpower showed that 40% of Edmonton-area employers plan to hire in the upcoming quarter, the hottest hiring climate in the country.
- I’m really glad to hear that construction is set to begin on Station Pointe, but “Edmonton’s first family-friendly community in 30 years”? Really?! How does crap like that get published?
- This is pretty cool: EIA opened new sport-themed baggage carousels in the domestic-international arrivals area! There are Oilers, Eskimos, and Oil Kings-themed carousels.
- The NHL lockout began yesterday. Here’s a message from the Oilers “to our fans and partners”.
- The High Level Bridge will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, but it may be without the Great Divide Waterfall.
- Check out this profile on GamrCred, a new startup based here in Edmonton!
Great shot by Nelson Webb of the lamps on 124 Street!
Here are some upcoming events:
- I’m on the Mobile Monday panel tomorrow evening at Startup Edmonton. Hope to see you there!
- Join us Tuesday evening at the Telus Centre for DemoCamp Edmonton 19!
- Guru Digital Arts College is hosting an open house in the new space on Wednesday evening!
- The Mile Zero Dance Wedding Crasher Party takes place on Friday evening!
- There are new public meetings on the Southeast to West LRT taking place this week and next. Find your area and times here.
- This weekend is Alumni Weekend 2012 at the University of Alberta! The Alumni Recognition Awards kick things off on Thursday evening.
- The BC Lions are in town to take on the Eskimos on Saturday.
- There’s another Big Bin Event on Saturday and Sunday in Ellerslie.
- Sunday is the Scotiabank AIDS Walk For Life.
- Also Sunday, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers are here to take on FC Edmonton.
- Cavalia continues this week at the City Centre Airport.
- For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
Premier Alison Redford and former Premier Peter Lougheed at the Peter Lougheed tribute dinner, June 6, 2012, Calgary. Photo by the Government of Alberta. See the In Memory of Premier Peter Lougheed set for more.
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