The Pulse: April 11, 2024

Sport Edmonton, the rebranded version of the city-funded Edmonton Sports Council, is working to create community legacies from major sporting events that come to town, and to empower grassroots play.

"It starts with a seat at the table when the City of Edmonton, or Explore Edmonton, or (the Oilers Entertainment Group), or some of the other groups are actually going to pitch for these large sporting events," Reed Clarke, the newly minted CEO of Sport Edmonton, told Taproot. "Part of them coming to Edmonton is leaving a legacy behind for the community."

One example of how Clarke and Sport Edmonton are doing that is by creating a Women's National Basketball Association (better known as the WNBA) themed court at wîhkwêntôwin School, formerly known as Oliver School. It will be ready ahead of when the league makes a much-anticipated appearance on May 5 at Rogers Place, with the Los Angeles Sparks taking on the Seattle Storm.

"We're more connecting people (for the court). We don't have a huge budget or funding for it, but we know there are groups who want to be a part of this, and we're putting all those pieces together," Clarke said.

Other legacy projects will be created in conjunction with the IFAF World Junior Championship football tournament (June 20 to 30) and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup hockey tournament (Aug. 5 to 10).

Using connections to make things happen is a theme throughout Clarke's work. He's the former CEO and owner of the Edmonton Stingers, the brain behind that team's Fresh Nets non-profit program (in which new nets are installed at under-maintained basketball courts), and the owner of the retro-sports clothing line Ross Flats, which recently merged with compatriot clothing company City of Champs.

A desire to give more to the community is why Clarke has taken his new role at Sport Edmonton, as well as leading the rebranding and changed focus of the organization.

"I realized the power of sports in community," Clarke said about his decision to leave the Stingers. "I wanted to make that community side even more impressive, and I think for something like the Stingers, there's so much you can do there, but it is kind of a short season."

Another new focus for Sport Edmonton is to help communities organize grassroots-level sports events. Clarke said his organization can connect communities with grants, permits, and other elements that make hyper-local events possible.

"There's a lot of bigger sports organizations that know how to apply for these grants," Clarke said. "There's a whole 'nother sector of local communities who want to run a soccer tournament or want to run a 5K fun run. They might have no clue on actually how to get that off the ground. So, how do they run it operationally? How do they market it? How do they sell it?"

• The City of Edmonton's pest management team has begun targeting mosquito larvae in standing water and ditches. Mike Jenkins with the pest management department said not to expect a lot of mosquito activity in early spring, as conditions are currently "incredibly dry," but added that precipitation could increase mosquito levels in the summer. Crews will once again use "biological methods" to control mosquitos after council voted to discontinue the aerial spraying program in 2022.
• Edmonton city council's executive committee voted to spend $33 million to support two affordable housing projects in the Canora and Garneau communities. City administration told councillors that both projects, which have not received federal funding support, were at risk of losing provincial funding if they didn't proceed soon. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said investing in the projects now will help them get started while the City watches for additional funding opportunities in the upcoming federal budget.
• Applications are open for the latest round of the City of Edmonton's Downtown Vibrancy Fund. Up to $5 million is available through the fund, which has a "renewed focus on long-term investments" and prioritizes projects aligned with the funding streams of recreational amenities, lighting, downtown events, and public art and place-making. A total of 174 projects have shared more than $8.2 million since the fund launched in 2021. Applications for the latest round will be accepted until May 10.
• Edmonton city council's urban planning committee discussed future plans for the Edmonton Exhibition Lands redevelopment project. Bart Jarocki, branch manager of real estate at the City, said phase two of development and the Borden Park expansion "present significant challenges" for the City of Edmonton and Explore Edmonton to host K-Days and other festivals, suggesting it may be possible to hold events on the Coliseum lands. Demolition of the arena is scheduled to start in 2025, but the lands are not slated for development for about a decade. Another report on the Exhibition Lands is expected in the fourth quarter of 2024.
• The City of Edmonton held a graduation ceremony for 13 new Community Peace Officer recruits on April 10. Eight will join Edmonton's transit safety, animal care and control, and downtown safety teams, while five will be deployed to other organizations, including the University of Alberta and NAIT.
• CBC's This is Edmonton Podcast took a look at Edmonton's electronic dance music scene. Host Clare Bonnyman spoke with DJ David Stone, host of the show BPM on CJSR, which has been on the air for more than two decades.
• Sacred Turtle Woman Healing Centre, which provides trauma-intensive programming rooted in Indigenous culture, has opened in Yellowhead County about 48 minutes north of Edson. The co-ed, 18+ facility has capacity for 60 people.
• Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said he will not impose floor prices on alcohol, one day after expressing concern over the sale of four-litre vodka jugs for $49.95 at a south Edmonton liquor store. "We're not looking to get in between the retailer and the consumer in any way," Nally said. St. Albert-based T-Rex Distillery, which bottled the vodka, said it has stopped production of the jugs, while Super Value Liquor, the store where they are sold, said it would end its special price sale on its remaining stock "in light of the minister's perspective."
• Premier Danielle Smith tabled legislation called the Provincial Priorities Act that would require "provincial entities," including municipalities, school boards, and universities, to obtain provincial approval before negotiating agreements with the federal government. The act, which is modelled after similar Quebec legislation, is expected to come into effect in early 2025, but officials have not determined how many agreements could be affected. Smith said she is most concerned about the federal government clashing with provincial priorities on net-zero goals, housing, and safe supply. Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said the legislation creates "unnecessary red tape" that could harm Edmonton's economy or slow down projects.

Here are opportunities to help shape the City of Edmonton's plans to establish an entertainment district and renew the Meyonohk area, plus a chance to contribute to discussions on Alberta's wetlands.

• Entertainment District in Downtown — The City of Edmonton seeks feedback on designating Rice Howard Way between 100 Street and 100A Street as an entertainment district. The designation would restrict the street to only pedestrians and allow outdoor entertainment, food service, and alcohol service during summer weekends in an effort to improve vibrancy. Anyone who works, lives, or pursues recreation downtown can complete a short survey before April 16.
• Meyonohk Neighbourhood Renewal (explore) — The City of Edmonton has started engagement about neighbourhood and alley renewal in the Meyonohk area of Mill Woods, with construction expected to start in 2026. Residents can share thoughts about driving, biking, walking, alleys, and parks and gathering spaces in Meyonohk until April 17.
• New Wetland Opportunities — Parkland County is holding a public information session for residents to learn about wetlands in Alberta, ask questions, and to provide input to the county's administration. The session is happening at the Clymont Community Hall in Spruce Grove at 6pm on April 17.

More input opportunities

• Until April 16: Towards 40 – 40 Street and Hermitage Road (City of Edmonton)
• Until April 29: Glenwood (163 Street West) Neighbourhood Renewal — Refine (City of Edmonton)
• Until April 30: Sports Hall of Fame nominations (City of Leduc)
• Until May 10: Healthy Aging Survey (Strathcona County)

Photo: The City of Edmonton says an entertainment district along Rice Howard Way would bring "an abundance of cultural vibrancy" and boost economic activity downtown. (City of Edmonton)

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Stand Up To Parkinson's starting at 10am at West Edmonton Mall
• Connect Café: A conversation on preventing elder abuse starting at 2pm at Red Willow Place
• Emerging Leaders Spring Industry Mixer starting at 3pm at Craft Beer Market
• Student Pitch Competition: Yatscoff Family Award in Medical Entrepreneurship starting at 4pm at Enterprise Square
• 6th YEG All-Star Stingers Showcase starting at 6pm at NAIT

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• April 20: Artist Talk with Kyle Edward Ball at The Orange Hub
• April 25: Assessing the Viability of Small Communities online
• April 25: Unique Career Paths in Bio/Life Sciences: Panel discussion and Networking at the University of Alberta

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.