Edmonton Notes for July 30, 2017

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• After a number of heat warnings this week it’s no surprise that Alberta has set a new summer record for power consumption, at 10,852 megawatts. The previous record, 10,520 megawatts, was set just a few weeks ago on July 9.
• The Hope Mission’s Herb Jamieson Centre has been given the green light to be torn down and rebuilt in the same location at a cost of $16 million. “Instead of saturating one neighbourhood, we should be building transitional housing and long-term supportive housing throughout the city,” wrote Paula Simons. I agree, but that’s not what the Herb Jamieson Centre is – it’s an emergency shelter. There’s no easy answer here, but I think rebuilding in the same location is probably the right thing to do.
• Andrew Small writing for CityLab on Edmonton: “I wandered around Edmonton feeling there was something missing from my experience in the city: people.” Also: “People in Edmonton still clearly love their cars, and the city has the sprawl to prove it.”
• The federal government has delivered the first of two annual $109.5 million federal Gas Tax Fund installments to Alberta. Of the $220 million allotted to our province for 2017, Edmonton will receive nearly $49 million.
• According to a new Bloomberg survey of economists, Alberta’s GDP will rise by 2.9% this year, faster than any other region in Canada. “It’s a huge comeback from Alberta’s last place finish in each of the last two years when oil prices plummeted below $50 a barrel, triggering layoffs and an investment freeze that shrank GDP by about 4 percent.”
• The Eskimos are having a great season so far – they’re 5-0 after another win on Friday evening! In fact, the Eskimos have “now won 10-1 in the last 11 regular season games.”
• Let’s hope the Esks’ success isn’t a season too soon as the 2018 Grey Cup will be played in Edmonton!
• The City has recognized employees from five departments for their environmental efforts at the 9th annual Charles Labtiuk Awards. In the news release, City Manager Linda Cochrane said: “Our employees understand the importance of reducing the impact of the City’s work on the environment, and they look for new and creative ways to do that. I’m proud of all of them.”
• Edmonton Police seized 130,000 fentanyl pills with an estimated street value of $3.9 million recently, the largest in Canada.
• Elise has the scoop on Mayor Don Iveson’s re-election campaign launch. “Iveson said next to the economy, transportation and redevelopment will be a key focus for his campaign.”
• Here’s the City’s statement on safety measures at stormwater ponds: “The City has 183 stormwater ponds which undergo routine inspection and maintenance to ensure they meet all current safety and operating standards. Stormwater ponds on average are inspected 12 times a year. Water levels, quality, bank erosion, operation assets and signage are inspected during these site visits.”
• Archaeologists are uncovering Edmonton’s hidden industrial history at the former site of Vogel’s Meat Packing Company in the Mill Creek Ravine.
• It was originally supposed to open this fall but the Premium Outlet Collection near the Edmonton International Airport is now slated for a spring 2018 opening. It will reportedly feature more than 100 stores.
• Tails of Help, a charity that helps pay for the treatment of pets, is feeling the pinch of a tight economy.
• Nominations are now open for the 2017 Urban Design Awards. You have until August 15 to nominate an individual, organization, or project. There’s also an online people’s choice award this year, and voting for that will open in September.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

Ice District Construction, photo by Kurt Bauschardt

Upcoming Events

• Rust Magic, the international street mural festival, wraps up on Monday.
• Kurios by Cirque du Soleil continues at Northlands Park through August 13.
• Canadian Pacific is celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday with the CP Canada 150 Train on Monday evening. Learn more here.
• TEC Edmonton is hosting a session on valuation on Tuesday at Enterprise Square in the new TEC Innovation District.
• The Edmonton Data Science Meetup takes place on Wednesday evening at Startup Edmonton.
• Poppy Barley’s new flagship store at Southgate Centre opens on Thursday!
• Lady Gaga is performing at Rogers Place on Thursday evening.
• Want to learn more about bike camping? The Bike Library and Workshop at the University of Alberta is hosting an introduction to the topic on Friday evening.
• The Heritage Festival is coming up at Hawrelak Park from August 5 through 7, on the long weekend.
• Watch out on Sunday – the Color Run 5K takes place at Capilano Park.
• Movies on the Square returns in August! The first move is Moana on August 8.
• There are still plenty of great events to enjoy this summer – check out Taproot Edmonton’s guide!
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Edmonton Triathlon, photo by Stephen Maunder