by Alex MacWilliam
I’m putting the finishing touches on this month’s newsletter while listening to the fireworks on the last night of the Calgary Stampede. It’s so great to see the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth back in full swing, and our city buzzing with visitors and locals enjoying the sights and sounds of the Stampede and everything else Calgary has to offer in the summer. Of particular local interest will be Taste of Italy Calgary, taking place at the BRCA Hall on September 11.
It is obvious to all of us that much is happening right here in the neighbourhood. The Thursday Farmers Markets are a welcome return to our community, thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, sponsors, and local vendors. We are welcoming hundreds of new residents to Bridgeland as the Bucci Dominion and JEMM Bridge apartment complexes reach completion. Still under construction is the Minto Era condo building on Edmonton Trail. These projects also include new retail businesses that will provide additional services to the community and added vibrancy to the 9th Street and Edmonton Trail corridors. Speaking of street life, the City’s Main Streets project is finally underway in Bridgeland-Riverside with Phase 1 construction primarily taking place at the Gateway and on Edmonton Trail between Memorial Drive and Second Avenue. Details can be found at the City of Calgary Main Streets website (www.calgary.ca/pda/pd/main-streets/bridgeland-main-street.html).
We are now the beneficiaries of a significant piece of public art. On June 30, the Wishing Well was officially unveiled at Bridge on the corner of 9 Ave and McDougall Road. As seen on the cover of this issue (photo credit Kelly Hofer), this striking sculpture was brought to Bridgeland thanks to a partnership between the City and JEMM Properties. It is an interactive artwork piece that will convert text messages into braille text dots that are sent to a virtual music box that translates words into melodies and light patterns. Check it out and send your own wishes for all to enjoy.
Construction has begun on the Bridgeland Sports Court in Murdoch Park and this new community amenity should be available for all to enjoy by the fall. Thank you to the many volunteers and 90+ donors for making this project, that was two years in the making, a reality. Who knows, there may soon be future NBA and WNBA stars learning their hoop skills in our neighbourhood.
