WEEKEND, June 13-15, 2014
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EDMONTON News worth sharing.
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PAGE 32
Protests turn violent in Brazil Clashes between protesters in World Cup host’s major cities scar tournament’s opening day PAGE 18-19
Fort Edmonton upgrades would cost $150M-plus Proposal. Park hopes to have upgrades ready for Canada’s 150th Ryan Tumilty
ryan.tumilty@metronews.ca
Samba and soccer
Amanda Bambrick from Samba Edmonton gets downtown spectators in the cheering mood hours before the ball dropped for the first World Cup game Thursday. As part of the kickoff celebrations, residents enjoyed some Samba music and snacked on Brazilian barbecue outside Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse. More World Cup coverage, including Brazil’s opening-day win, on pages 27 and 44. LEAH GERMAIN/METRO
Fort Edmonton Park’s future plans to better highlight the city’s past will cost more than $150 million, according to a report going to city councillors next week. Councillors will review the proposal Monday. It calls for an Indigenous People’s Experience, an expanded Hotel Selkirk and midway, and significant upgrades to the park’s utilities, all to be completed before Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017. Bill Demchuk, executive director of the Fort Edmonton management company, said
the expansion is about better telling the area’s history, especially as it relates to Aboriginal people. “We have been telling a story, part of the Aboriginal story, for years in a small way, but from our perspective it hasn’t been in a meaningful or respectful enough way,” he said. The Indigenous People’s Experience would tell stories about the Aboriginal settlers of Edmonton. The midway would include space for new rides and the hotel expansion would add 22 guest rooms and a large ballroom that could accommodate weddings. Demchuk said the additions Tight budget
“Their timeline is just too short.” Coun. Mike Nickel
could help improve the park’s bottom line, but they will also tell more of the city’s story. “This isn’t a for-profit business,” he said, “but this whole idea is about being able to share more with Edmontonians and visitors.” He said he’s aware the city has real budget pressures, but the park would aim to have help from the provincial and federal governments, as well as doing its own fundraising. He said the utility upgrades are probably the most pressing concern. “Some of those utilities that are below ground are past their best-before date,” he said. Coun. Mike Nickel said he supports the project, but he doesn’t think the city, or the other levels of government, will have those funds in the next few years. “We don’t have the cash to play with,” he said.