Edmonton Notes for 7/20/2014

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Edmonton’s road construction is getting a $16.3 million boost, thanks to a previous reallocation of funds by City Council. So far this year, crews have fixed 245,770 potholes and completed six road projects.
• Another step forward for Blatchford! City Council moved ahead with plans to borrow $80 million to get the project underway.
• Wunderbar is up for sale. Hopefully a new owner can step in to keep the popular music venue running.
• The Province is supporting Edmonton’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Richard Starke, Minister of Tourism, Parks, and Recreation is in Glasgow, Scotland for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
• ETS and the Edmonton Police Service are teaming up officially now, with the launch of the Transit and Police Partnership. The trial program, which will run until mid-December, is intended to enhance security on the LRT.
• The University of Alberta is quite pleased that so many of Alberta Venture’s 50 most influential Albertans have ties to the school. “Five professors and 11 alumni and friends of the university made the vaunted annual list…”
• Half of the top 10 health facilities included in Alberta Infrastructure’s list of deferred maintenance are hospitals in Edmonton. Our city makes up a disproportionate chunk of the $637 million tab for delayed repairs to health facilities.
• The Edmonton Eskimos have an in-game app now for iOS and Android devices. You can learn more and download the app here.
• It’s the middle of summer, but Edmonton’s WinterCity Strategy has won another award, this time from the Canadian Institute of Planners.
• Perhaps more surprising than the news that the fire-breathing dragon at SilverCity is coming down is the fact that it hasn’t actually worked since 2010! I remember listening to Power 92 on location when it was unveiled.
• The Edmonton Arts Council is accepting submissions for this year’s Edmonton Film Prize. The deadline is August 15.
• A new report identifies which occupations are in high demand in Alberta. Some of the jobs expected to be in high demand over the next three years include chefs, civil engineers, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, crane operators, and telecommunications installation and repair workers.
• The Downtown Business Association is doing a survey on downtown Edmonton. Take a few minutes and let them know what you think!
• Calgarian Bob Dhillon sees a lot of opportunity in our downtown, and is acquiring land to take advantage of it.
• This is pretty scary: the south wall of the Westin Hotel partially collapsed on Sunday morning, forcing the evacuation of about 250 guests.
• Should the City ban smoking in Churchill Square? Smoking is currently banned near the fountain in front of City Hall, but not in the square.
• I’m not sure it is actually Edmonton’s first, but there is a new bike repair station in the basement of MacEwan’s Robbins Health Learning Centre. Apparently 35% of university staff ride their bikes in the warmer months of the year.
• In our 40th episode of Mack & Cheese a few weeks ago, Graham and I talked about the forthcoming Alberta Innovation Council. That effort was officially launched this week.

Diner en Blanc, more photos here

Upcoming Events

• Taste of Edmonton is now underway in Churchill Square! Sharon and I are planning to check it out on Wednesday evening.
• Also underway is K-Days at Northlands Park. We went on Saturday and ate way too much deep fried food. If you’re heading down to the midway, take the train, and avoid the vehicle theft that takes place.
• The Okotoks Dawgs take on the Edmonton Prospects at Telus Field on Tuesday. The Prospects host Moose Jaw on Friday.
• The Edmonton Eskimos host the Calgary Stampeders at Commonwealth Stadium on Thursday evening.
• Also Thursday evening, Latitude 53’s summer patio series continues!
• Edmonton is hosting the 2014 U15 and U17 National Basketball Championships. The tournament starts Friday and runs through July 30.
• Interstellar Rodeo kicks off on Friday in Hawrelak Park!
• If you’re downtown on Friday evening, check out Night Market Edmonton at Beaver Hills Park.
• Fruit Loop’s Summer Ball takes place at Latitude 53 on Saturday evening!
• On Sunday, FC Edmonton hosts Indy Eleven at Clarke Stadium.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

K-Days midway, more photos here