Edmonton Notes for December 3, 2017

Just three weeks to go until Christmas! Where has the time gone?

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• The City released four reports for Council related to the Exhibition Lands on Friday. “These reports bring together completed work and next steps to attract the most innovative, sustainable and economic ideas for the future of the area.” Council will be discussing the reports on Tuesday, one of which says the cost of demolishing Northlands Coliseum could be as high as $25 million.
• Council will also be discussing the Metro Line LRT, which has encountered 6 major malfunctions and 44 signaling mishaps since 2015. “Should we be alarmed? I am,” said Councillor Mike Nickel.
• Of course the big focus of the week for Council will be the 2018 budget. You can learn more about the budget at YEGCityBudget.ca.
• The contentious Holyrood Gardens project was sent back to the drawing board on Monday. “Councillors Michael Walters, Moe Banga, Jon Dziadyk, Sarah Hamilton and Tony Caterina voted against the referral motion.”
• ETS Route 747 will likely be saved, but the price is going up to $10. Council is hoping for a regional solution to keep transit to the airport viable.
• Air Canada wil start flying direct between Edmonton and San Francisco on May 1. “The year-round Air Canada Express service using 76-seat Bombardier CRJ-705/900 jets will be Edmonton’s first direct connection to San Francisco since United Airlines cancelled its service there and to Chicago in May 2016.”
• The Harley Court building at 10045 111 Street is going to be converted to a residential building if the planned $40 million renovation by owner Strategic Group goes ahead.
• Toronto developer Brad Lamb has cancelled plans to build the Jasper House condo building on 106 Street north of Jasper Avenue citing “unfortunate economic circumstances”.
• According to a new report from TransUnion, the average Edmontonian carries $25,149 in non-mortgage debt, an increase of 2.74% over last year.
• Congratulations to all the Edmontonians recognized in this year’s Salute to Excellence Awards.
• DynaLife has signed a new lease for its downtown space to March 2022, which will keep its 700 employees working in the core. “It’s great news and will give everyone time for sober second thought,” said Coun. Scott McKeen, a vocal opponent of a provincial plan to create a new super lab facility outside of downtown.
• The Oil Kings’ annual Teddy Bear Toss broke records again this year with more than 14,000 bears collected for Santas Anonymous.
• In case you missed it, this is a pretty cool photo of Edmonton’s skyline.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

High Street Lights

Upcoming Events

• ECVO is celebrating Edmonton volunteers at the 150 Volunteer Voices event taking place on Tuesday at the Garneau Theatre.
• Head over to Yellowhead Brewery on Wednesday evening to help The Local Good celebrate 10 years with a fundraiser. “In order for our volunteer organization to be able to continue offering resources and events to like-minded, locally-focused Edmontonians, we need financial support.”
• The Oilers host the Flyers on Wednesday at Rogers Place.
• Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is speaking at the Shaw Conference Centre on Thursday. Notley “will deliver her government’s priorities to create economic growth, and move our province forward at a time of challenge and opportunity for Alberta.”
• The TEC Venture Angels December Forum takes place Thursday at TEC Edmonton.
• They’re turning the lights on at the Alberta Legislature grounds on Thursday evening!
• The Oil Kings host the Warriors on Thursday night and the Broncos on Sunday.
• The City’s next and final Engage Edmonton event takes place at the Edmonton Tower on Thursday.
• Candy Cane Lane kicks off for another season on Friday night.
• Leefield Community League’s annual Gift & Craft Sale takes place on Saturday.
• The NAIT Ooks are taking on the University of Alberta Golden Bears on Saturday night in what is being called “the last competitive hockey game” played at Northlands Coliseum.
• From Explore Edmonton, here are things to do in Edmonton in December.
• For more great winter and holiday events, check out the festival and event guide for 2017/2018 from Taproot Edmonton!

Edmonton River Valley