Edmonton Notes for September 17, 2017

Fall is in the air – get out and enjoy the colors! Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Northlands is disappearing bit by bit. The City will assume responsibility for Northlands Coliseum on January 1, 2018, at which point it will be closed. On the same date, EEDC will start operating the Edmonton Expo Centre. Northlands Park will transition to the City 30 days after the end of horse racing or by June 30, 2018. The Coliseum ARP, which “will support revitalization for the whole neighbourhood”, is slated to be presented to Council by the end of 2018.
• The City has announced that the Walterdale Bridge will partially open to traffic starting tomorrow morning.
• Icelandair currently flies six times per week between Edmonton and Reykjavik, but will be phasing those flights out in November and suspending them altogether between January and March. “Icelandair spokesperson Michael Raucheisen attributed the suspension to a drop in the number of passengers.”
• The City has agreed to amend its Edmonton Tower lease agreement with ICE District Corp., to drop the option to purchase a portion of the building if it is ever sold, in exchange for $5 million.
• For the latest election news, be sure to check out the latest edition of Taproot’s Edmonton Election Update.
• Edmonton won a battle against Beaumont this week over a proposed redevelopment plan. “Edmonton had hoped to collaborate with Beaumont to work out the issues with the land but was ‘rebuffed,’ said Iveson.”
• Though Council delayed a decision on the controversial Holyrood development until after the election, the City did sign a non-binding MOU with Regency Developments to allow them to proceed with the construction of underground infrastructure.
• Signs have started to go up around the city to reflect the new 30 km/h speed limit in playground zones. It is in effect from 7:30am to 9:00pm every day. “Traffic safety statistics show a marked reduction in pedestrian and cyclist injuries with the introduction of 30 km/h school zones in Edmonton.”
• I’m sure you’ve seen this tweet by now. Timing is everything, with the demise of Northlands and Calgary’s arena debate coming together to make Edmontonians smile.
• The historic Garneau Tree was taken down today. An evaluation showed it was rotting from the inside and was deemed a safety risk.
• Plenty of Albertans want to see Daylight Saving Time come to an end, but our major airports, WestJet, and both the Oilers and Flames are opposed to the change.
• Mayor Don Iveson is calling for the resignation of Senator Lynn Beyak, who wrote on her website that Indigenous people should “trade [their] status card[s] for a Canadian citizenship.”
• The Oilers Entertainment Group has a job opening for Hunter, the lynx mascot it introduced last year. “You would be expected to be Hunter in the suit for up to four hours at a time, never losing your non-verbal enthusiasm.”
• The Edmonton Police Association will elect a new president in December. Insp. Bob Walsh has been serving as interim president since August 2016, and will not seek the position.
• After an amazing 7-0 start to the season, the Eskimos have now lost 5 straight.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

Edmonton, photo by Paul

Upcoming Events

• Monday is Nomination Day! After candidates file their paperwork, the race is officially on. Election Day is October 16.
• Pre-season Oilers hockey starts this week with games against the Flames, Jets, and Canucks.
• YEG BizBuzz, an informal networking get-together for entrepreneurs organized by Rainforest Alberta, takes place on Tuesday evening at The Nest Taphouse Grill.
• The Dreamspeakers Film Festival kicks off on Wednesday.
• This year’s FEASTival of Fine Chefs takes place Wednesday at the Shaw Conference Centre.
• The Yards is launching its fall issue with a salon event on Thursday evening at CKUA.
• The Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo takes place Friday through Sunday at the Edmonton Expo Centre.
• The 4th annual Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival takes place at City Hall and in Churchill Square on Saturday.
• Digital Alberta’s 2017 Ember Awards take place on Saturday at the Art Gallery of Alberta.
• On the Spot Pop Ups and Etsy Canada are hosting the Made in Canada market on Saturday and Sunday at the Shaw Conference Centre. Admission is $5 and kids get in free.
• Sunday is Free Admission Day at City of Edmonton attractions and rec centres across the city.
• We’re nearly at the end of our summer festival & event guide at Taproot, but stay tuned for the winter edition!