Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
Headlines
- Will we ever find out how much the many issues plaguing the Metro Line LRT cost us? Maybe not, because the City is preparing to make a claim against signalling vendor Thales which will follow a private dispute resolution process.
- WestJet announced a series of new routes this week, including new non-stop service between Edmonton and Hamilton. The new route will run four times weekly from July through September. Also, flights between Edmonton and Vancouver will now operate 54 times weekly.
- The Oilers announced their 2016-2017 season schedule this week. The home opener will take place on October 12 against the Calgary Flames.
- In the 2016 NHL Draft the Oilers made nine selections, including Jesse Puljujarvi at 4th overall. Here’s a roundup from The Copper & Blue.
- Summer bus schedules started today, with major adjustments for routes 5, 15, 44, 69, 96, 125 and 127.
- Paula wrote about the impact of sky-rocketing policing costs for events and the ridiculous way we treat some of our marquee festivals.
- The City of Edmonton’s new Youth Poet Laureate is Nasra Adem. She will serve a one-year term.
- Edmonton has been named Canada’s National Earth Hour Capital. Our city last won the award in 2014.
- Edmonton came in at number four on the Amazon.ca list of Canadian Cities that Love to Read, behind Vancouver, Calgary, and Saskatoon. “Canada’s western cities of Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton purchased the most Kindle titles over the past year.”
- The west side of the High Level Bridge is going to be closed for most of July to accommodate the safety rail installation.
- The City held a community workshop last week on the 101 Avenue Vision & Corridor Study. The draft vision and study will be developed over the summer.
- From The Wanderer, here are six resources available to Edmonton entrepreneurs.
- WIND Mobile recently completed a major network infrastructure upgrade in Edmonton which should mean “better network coverage, faster data speeds and improved call quality.”
- Cool infographic from MacEwan on the class of 2016.
- The University of Alberta Board of Governors has appointed Gitta Kulczycki to the position of vice-president (finance and administration) and Andrew Sharman to the position of vice-president (facilities and operations).
- Edmonton has fallen short in its bid to host the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in 2019. Lausanne won the bid.
- The City is once again encouraging Edmontonians to go bagless this summer! If you sign up for a lawn sign you could win a mulching mower or other prizes.
- For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.
What’s left of the former downtown Greyhound station
Upcoming Events
- The Works continues this week downtown, anchored in Churchill Square.
- The Edmonton International Jazz Festival continues this week at various locations throughout the city.
- The Freewill Shakespeare Festival is taking place at Hawrelak Park.
- For the first time the Winspear Centre is hosting the 2016 Edmonton Music Awards on Tuesday evening.
- The Edmonton Prospects host the Regina Red Sox on Tuesday and the Melville Millionaires on Sunday.
- The Fire Aid for Fort McMurray benefit concert is taking place on Wednesday at Commonwealth Stadium. The tailgate party starts at 2pm with the concert getting underway at 5pm.
- Thursday is busy as always, with the Latitude 53 Patio and 124 Grand Market, among other events. Let’s hope they get some decent weather this week!
- Friday is Canada Day! There are events throughout the city, with the main fireworks finale taking place at 11pm in the river valley.
- The Historic Festival & Doors Open Edmonton kicks off on Sunday.
- Also be sure to check out my guide to summer festivals & events for 2016!
- For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
Bay/Enterprise Square LRT Station
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