THE SILENT

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COMMUNITY SWAP MEET Community League votes against land swap PG 8 SITE UNSEEN WE GO INSIDE A DOWNTOWN CONSUMPTION FACILITY THIRSTY PG 18 FOR WATER Downtown still wants connections to the river PG 9

OWN AN URBAN FUR BABY PG 16 GROUND WAR BUOK FRESH A FESTIVAL-SPACE SHOWDOWN! KOREAN PG 22 PG 15 THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 1 SHOP LOCAL EVERY SATURDAY 9AM TO 3PM

FIND FARM-FRESH PRODUCE, LOCALLY RAISED MEATS, AND READY TO EAT MEALS. SHOP LOCAL FOR BREAD, ARTISAN CHEESE AND SWEET DELIGHTS, OR TREAT YOURSELF TO HANDCRAFTED JEWELLERY OR LOCAL ART.

WWW.CITY-MARKET.CA INSIDE

SPRING 2019

PUBLISHER Simon Yackulic

MANAGING EDITOR FRONTYARDS Tim Querengesser 5 Contributors ART DIRECTOR SHOP LOCAL 7 Messages from the Oliver community league and downtown community league Jeremy Pudlowski 8 News Community votes not to endorse proposed land swap at Oliver Park CONTRIBUTORS 9 News Why after more than 30 years, Rossdale might become a place again Sydnee Bryant, Miranda Herchen, Mary-Helen Clark, Dustin Martin, 10 Community events for OCL and DECL William Frost EVERY SATURDAY 12 Events around the core 14 Core samples The silent Starkman MARKETING & EVENTS Shyra Craig 15 Hot takes Buok Fresh Korean EVENTS BY ACE’D 9AM TO 3PM 16 How to Own a pet in the core GOVERNANCE BOARD CHAIR Simon Yackulic FIND FARM-FRESH PRODUCE, LOCALLY TREASURER Eric Hermanns

SECRETARY RAISED MEATS, AND READY TO EAT Lee Craig

SOCIAL MEDIA MEALS. SHOP LOCAL FOR BREAD, Courtney Gillis

COMMUNITY LEAGUE ARTISAN CHEESE AND SWEET DELIGHTS, REPRESENTATIVES Lisa Brown and Luwam Kiflemariam(OCL); OR TREAT YOURSELF TO HANDCRAFTED Chris Buyze, Tamara Soltykevych

JEWELLERY OR LOCAL ART. CONTACT US The Yards Magazine 1011, 10301 104 St. NW FEATURES Edmonton, AB T5J 1B9 18 Sight unseen One year after opening, we go inside a supervised consumption site ADVERTISING SALES [email protected] 22 Ground war What space is best to fest in the core? PUBLISHED BY THE CENTRAL EDMONTON N E W S S O C I E T Y WWW.CITY-MARKET.CA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

BACKYARDS 26 Core questions The pool has been saved but it’s time to dream about what comes next

theyardsyeg.ca facebook.com/theyardsyeg @theyardsyeg

THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 3 Working for Healthy Communities in Edmonton-Centre

David Shepherd 10208 112 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5K 1M4 MLA for Edmonton-Centre 780.414.0743 [email protected]

THE YARDS SPRING EDITION LAUNCH PARTY The Legislature March 7th | Doors at 7:00 PM Panel at 7:30 PM assembly.ab.ca Open for you to discover @ Work Nicer 10160 103 St NW Contributors People behind The Yards

This issue of The Yards offers a re-think on several elements of the magazine, including how we present our amazing contributors. We figured rather than a small headshot and bio that we’d ask them to gather, meet one another and build a bit of community. It’s what this magazine is all about, after all.

Dustin Martin (Rec Creation, pg. 26) IN EDMONTON: 6 years FAVOURITE EDMONTON PLACE: The river valley WHAT YOU LEARNED WRITING Sydnee Bryant FOR THIS ISSUE: The first draft (How to: Own a Pet in the Core, is always the hardest. pg. 16; Ground Wars, pg. 22) IN EDMONTON: 6 years FAVOURITE EDMONTON Miranda Herchen PLACE: Remedy Cafe (any (Hot Takes, pg. 15) location!) IN EDMONTON: 22 years WHAT YOU LEARNED WRITING FOR THIS ISSUE: We have an FAVOURITE EDMONTON amazing amount of dog parks in PLACE: Coliseum Edmonton! WHAT YOU LEARNED WRITING FOR THIS ISSUE: I learned how culturally rich is, specifically with Korean culture and food.

Not Shown Mary-Helen Clark (Swap Heat, pg. 8) IN EDMONTON: 4 years FAVOURITE EDMONTON PLACE: Beaumaris Lake WHAT YOU LEARNED WRITING FOR THIS ISSUE: I talked to many people who had no idea about a land swap. Active engagement in your community is critical.

photo: William Frost THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 5 STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

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Alberta ELECT Party

Former Chief of Alberta Human Rights Commission Retired Judge | Community Leader

Bob Philp has served as Chief of the Alberta Human Rights Commission, a Provincial Court Judge, a respected lawyer, and as a leader on many community service boards.

As a resident of Edmonton - City Centre the last 24 years, Bob was a Board Member for Boyle Street Community Services, Reach Edmonton, HOPE Foundation Edmonton, and the Mayor's Edmonton Task Force to End Poverty. He received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003 and the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 for his lifetime of community and public service.

[email protected]  780-293-3123

Authorized By The Bob Philp Campaign | [email protected] Chris Buyze Lisa Brown President, Downtown President, Oliver Edmonton Community Community League (OCL) League (DECL) Photo: Michael Sacha

from babies in apartments to seniors in our this proposal and will advocate for city OCL PRESIDENT COLUMN many seniors residences. It spans abilities, council to do the same. Personally, I think incomes and cultures. it would be a shame to lose Oliver Park, Our community has a potential hub in the pool, and the overall potential of a Public Spaces Matter Oliver Park. We have the pool, unless City community hub. There are so many other Council decides to close it, and the Oliver spaces to build towers along 104 Avenue. I lived in Oliver for more than seven years Community League is working hard to My engineering background and passion before I knew we had a pool. It isn’t really move through the city’s process to replace for sustainable built environments drove advertised. Instead, it’s tucked away in the our hall on our land at Oliver Park. Our me to the Oliver Community League, and middle of our neighbourhood. If you were arena will not be replaced, which gives I’ve relished the opportunity to shape walking by Oliver Park, the pool would be us space to develop a small facility to what’s built here. But what these past five easy to miss. serve the needs of our community. We can years have shown me is that infrastructure Even though it’s hidden, Oliver Pool is a preserve the playground, mature trees and means nothing without a community. gem – especially in a city where we don’t green space. Imagine Oliver Park having We need to invest in our public places, in have a beach to flock to on a hot day. When something for everyone. our recreation spaces, in our complete outdoor pools became free over the past You’ll read more about the proposed streets. This is where we connect with our two years, Oliver Pool became accessible to land swap between Oliver Park and the neighbours. And it is these relationships so many more. former St. John’s School site, to allow the that build our communities. Oliver has the most residents of any other construction of a 24-storey tower on Oliver Lisa Brown neighbourhood in Edmonton, more than Park, in this issue of The Yards. The Oliver 18,000. Our population spans all ages, Community League recently voted against

funding for design and development of a At the public hearing this spring, which DECL PRESIDENT COLUMN large ‘District’ park in our Warehouse area. required city council to approve an Just this past January, council affirmed this expropriation of the final site to realize decision to move forward with acquiring the vision of this large recreational park, the final sites needed for this park, north I was impressed by the consensus around A Big Green Win of , from 106 Street to just the room from administration, planners, This last year has been significantly beyond 107 Street. At over 1.4 hectares, residents, business and developers alike, different than before for the residents of this park is already proving to be a huge about the need for this new green space. the Warehouse area and those who live catalyst for further residential development It re-affirms for me the priorities our board particularly along 104 Street. Alex Decoteau in the area, with several towers proposed. has advocated for over the last 10 years. Park has made a big impact on the lives of Much of this will cover the undesirable Those are that more parks and recreational residents of the area as a gathering place. surface lots that have plagued much of the infrastructure Downtown is important to a Since its inception and continued Warehouse area for decades. lot of folks. updates, the award-winning Capital City The importance of this park, and other I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this Downtown Plan has contemplated more future parks in the Downtown can not be large green space. We hope to see you green space and parks. Many of the city’s overstated. They directly contribute to participate in consultations regarding its own documents over the years have the health and wellbeing of residents, design, (hopefully) later in 2019. acknowledged a lack of green space for providing respite, a chance to socialize with Chris Buyze residents Downtown. Sure the river valley neighbours, and a way to ensure Downtown is nice, but it’s not right outside our door. is an attractive and desirable place for This past fall, city council approved people to live, visit and do business.

THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 7 FRONTYARDS | OCL NEWS Swap Heat Community league votes not to endorse proposed land swap at Oliver Park BY: Mary-Helen Clark ENDZONE lexandra Dowsett said she is relieved Luwam Kiflemariam, the vice president of 5 possible outcomes on the land swap Athat the Oliver Community League OCL, said the swap discussion boils down voted to not support the proposed land swap to amenities and density. “Currently, Oliver involving Oliver Park and the former site of St. doesn’t have sufficient green space for its John’s School, on 120 Street and 102 Avenue. residents despite being the highest density Abbey Lane Townhomes has proposed to neighborhood in Edmonton,” she said. “The swap the St. John’s site, which it owns, with population in Oliver is over 18,000 and we Council expropriates the St. the city, which owns Oliver Park. If the swap expect it to increase by around 5,000 once 1 proceeds, it would allow Abbey to build a 24- John’s school site from the these large residential towers approved to storey apartment building on the northeast be built are built. The community needs to developer, who currently owns corner of what’s currently Oliver Park. The have sufficient amenities, like green space for it, and builds a park. Oliver proposal has polarized the community since people who make their homes in Oliver.” celebrates. Abbey Lane proposed it in December. Dowsett is against the idea. “Oliver is quaint,” she said. “We don’t need a large “Currently, tower to take away from the park space and be an eyesore. It would be better downtown, Oliver doesn’t not here in Oliver.” Council approves the land swap The 27-year-old assistant sales manager, have sufficient 2 and the developer builds a who said she is “medium informed” on neigh- bourhood issues, bought her condo when she 24-storey tower at Oliver Park. relocated to Edmonton from Fort McMurray green space for Oliver does not celebrate. after the fire. She said she chose Oliver because of its modern but intimate feel. its residents At its January meeting, the Oliver Commu- nity League voted against endorsing the land despite being the swap. Instead, the league is advocating that the Oliver Park site be maintained as a park highest density Council doesn’t approve the and for the St. John’s site, currently slated for 3 development, to be made into a park space swap, and the developer elects as well. neighborhood in to build something currently Preserving parks in Oliver is important to allowed in the zoning for residents, said Councillor Scott McKeen. “I Edmonton” know that the community had a really good the site – so an institutional discussion about it, and the community league The decision whether to approve the land building. has come out against it,” he said. “I think where swap or consider the wishes of the community I come from on all of this is recognizing that league now rests with city council. there are a lot of towers coming or proposed Kiflemariam said she hopes Oliver residents for Oliver, and green space becomes more increase their awareness of the proposal. and more sacred.” “We’ve let our position be heard, that’s what Abbey Lane said it recognizes the need we’re going to advocate for when council Council doesn’t approve the for green space within Oliver, but stressed makes their final decision,” she said. “The next 4 that the proposed swap would not reduce it. step is to dispel some of the misinformation swap, the developer applies to “There would be no loss of park space,” said and let our community, as well as the rest of rezone the St. John’s site for Kim Petrin, principal of community planning the city, know what’s happening and what the an 11-storey building (as they with Stantec, and the planner for the Oliver options are.” originally intended), and council project. “The St. John’s site is the same size as Oliver Park.” says yes. Petrin also said the developer would con- tribute a portion to upgrade the remnant park space on the larger block to be whatever the community wants it to be, including park struc- tures, park benches and recreation areas. The Council says no to the above. developer has also committed to public art on 5 the northeast corner of the site. “The develop- ment plan said it would be kind of a gateway to the community.”

8 THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 FRONTYARDS | DECL NEWS Reawakening Rossdale After more than 30 years, the waterfront just south of downtown might become a place again BY: Tim Querengesser

Lunch Dinner Catering alk the trails of the North Saskatche- like the Ortona stables, the baseball stadium, Fresh Wholesome Korean Food Wwan River, just west of Nellie McLung old buildings connected to the original Fort Park, and you arrive at a break in the trees Edmonton, the power plant, the Donald Ross that offers a view of the Rossdale power plant. School and even old utility buildings like a Staring at it, you can’t help but think, as many pump house. have, that the plant would make the perfect Indeed, it’s at this pump house that Back- place for Edmonton to reconnect with its river. strom sees big potential. The roof would Erik Backstrom isn’t the first to dream of be a great patio for a restaurant of café, he making this reconnection happen, but he and says, but getting people there is the problem. his team might actually succeed. Beginning this April, Backstrom and administrators will share a business plan for Rossdale with the “Rossdale’s an public and, eventually, with council’s urban planning committee. If all goes smoothly, area with a really Backstrom says administration could, sooner than later, have a plan in place to offer people Restaurant Hours as well as developers. fascinating Mon – Fri: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm “Rossdale’s an area with a really fascinating Sat: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm history and city council has asked us to come history and city Sun: Closed up with a plan to make something happen 10707-100 ave Petwin Tower down there,” he says. “Council’s vision is that council has asked this becomes a really special destination.” 780.244.2865 It’s special, clearly, but frozen. Indeed, it Buokfresh.ca was 1986 when Edmonton first decided to us to come up with save Rossdale from those who wanted to build a freeway atop most of its 27 city-owned a plan to make hectares. After that, the land “just sat,” Back- strom says. something happen It sat until 2011, metaphorically at least, when the city released the award-winning down there” West Rossdale Urban Design Plan, a stunning vision of a mixed-use urban village with ame- nities people could walk to. To do it, he says, they must build a sense of Edmonton residents loved that plan, too, place, using the Touch the Water promenade, but Backstrom says there were challenges and new uses for the power plant (sorry, no to sort over eight years, including decom- condos, he says) as catalysts. missioning the power plant and working with They will also need residents. “We think more than two dozen Indigenous groups to Rossdale just has a natural demand,” Back- address claims to the site, including a burial strom says. “We haven’t finished our plan, but ground. Along the way there have been ideas, we’ve already got expressions of significant like a now removed funicular down 104 Street, [residential] developer interest in the area.” and a proposed canal, that have added com- What will this mean for Edmonton in future? plexities. “We really want people downtown to realize It gets more complicated: As The Yards went Rossdale is more than Rossdale,” he says. to press, news broke that the Touch the Water “This is the physical dead centre of the city.” promenade, a related project right along the river in Rossdale, is yet again delayed. Original completion date: 2015. In future, Backstrom says the city will first work to make Rossdale walkable again, in- cluding potentially changing and calming streets – the 97 Avenue crossing is nine lanes wide. Next it will work to amplify gems from the Rossdale of old, the former industri- al heart of Edmonton before the 1915 flood,

THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 9 FRONTYARDS | EVENTS Oliver Community League Events OCL Community Space, 9907 114 St. olivercommunity.com

OLIVER READS March 4, April 15, May 27 6pm Oliver’s next book club meeting will discuss “White Teeth” by Zadie Smith. Get your free membership to the Edmonton Public Library for OCL ANNUAL a hard copy or e-book version. Club GENERAL MEETING meets to discuss a new book every 6 OCL AND SNAP GALLERY April 24 weeks. Join the club by emailing us at PRESENT: OUR OLIVER Review financials, vote in new [email protected] March 15, 7:30-10:30pm directors, learn more about OCL and MEC community room, 11904 104 Ave what we’re up to. Mix and mingle A drop-in community printmaking with neighbours. Registration starts event! Inspired by input from Oliver at 6 pm, program at 7pm, residents, local artist Kiona Ligtvoet Grace Lutheran Church 9907 114 St WALKING PUB has created a piece that you can print CRAWL OF OLIVER and take home. Suggested donation $10. March 15, April 19, and May 17, 8pm SNAP Printshop, 10123 121 St., Jasper Join your neighbours, meet with new OLIVER BLOCK PARTY Avenue Entrance and old friends and explore some May 29, 4-8pm local pubs. Locations TBD; please Party at the “new” Grandin Lookout. check up on OCL’s Facebook page. Everyone welcome! 118 St. and 103 Ave, by the playground CIVICS COMMITTEE Corner of 114 St and 99 Ave. April 8, May 6, June 10, 7pm OLIVER PARK This highly engaged committee ENGAGEMENT SESSION meets on the second Monday of the month (unless otherwise posted) DROP-IN BASKETBALL March 28, 6pm-8pm to discuss developments in Oliver. Tuesdays, 7pm Open house to see community Please enter through the parking lot Enjoy a pickup game or just shoot member drawings of possibilities entrance (grey door). some hoops at this regular basketball of community use of the formers Grace Lutheran Church 9907 114 St drop-in open to the Oliver Community. St. John’s School Site and Oliver In the gym at Grace Lutheran Church. Park. Help choose a winner from the drawings. Grace Lutheran Church 9907 114 St

Grace Lutheran Church 9907 114 St

OCL board of directors: Lisa Brown Oliver Community League (President), Luwam Kiflemariam (VP), 9907 114 St NW Erin Wright (Secretary), Robin Paches Edmonton, AB T5K 1P7 (Treasurer), Ilya Ushakov, Courtney web: olivercommunity.com Rippin Kaufman, Keltie Gower, Justin e: [email protected] Keats, Blaine Kovacik, Jade Arnaout, Facebook.com/OliverCommunityLeague Sanjana Sharma, Mark Workman, Twitter: @OCLYEG Simon Yackulic, Derek MacDonald Instagram: @oclyeg

10 THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 FRONTYARDS | EVENTS Downtown Edmonton Community League Events DECL Community Space, 10042 103 St. decl.org (all events at the DECL Community Space)

104 AVE

103 AVE 114 ST 112 ST 111 ST 109 ST 105 ST 104 ST 103 ST DOWNTOWN DINING 102 AVE WEEK POTLUCK JASPER AVE March 12, 6:30pm DECL Celebrate Downtown Dining Week 100 AVE

with a community potluck. OCL 99 AVE

DECL URBAN KIDS What’s a Community League? PLAYGROUP Community Leagues are unique to Edmonton. They’re inclusive, grass- INFO SESSION ON Every Friday, 10am-11:30am SOLAR POWER roots, community-based organiza- FOR CONDOS Urban Kids Playgroup for downtown tions found in each of this city’s parents and kids 0-5 years of age! 150-plus neighbourhoods. They March 23, 2pm-4pm facilitate healthy, safe, informed Join us for snacks and free coffee. Join us and the Oliver Community and connected communities by pro- moting participation in recreation, League, in partnership with Alberta social activities and civic advocacy Green Energy Network, for an at the sidewalk level. They’re vol- information session on condo energy unteer-run and promote volunteer- efficiency and solar power for condos DECL DEVELOPMENT ism because getting involved is a COMMITTEE MEETING great way to learn more about your neighbourhood and city. It’s also a Last Thursday of the Month, 7pm fantastic opportunity to learn valu- able professional skills, meet your DECL ANNUAL Join us in discussion on the neighbours and have fun. Join the GENERAL MEETING latest development proposals movement today! and city planning. April 25, 7pm

Join the DECL board and your fellow community league members for the 2019 Annual General Meeting. Come SUNDAY DINNER down to vote for your new board POTLUCK DECL board of directors: Chris Buyze members and hear what’s in store for (President), Laurissa Kalinowsky (VP), April 14, 6:30pm the year ahead. Chris Wudark (Treasurer), Rainer Kocsis Let’s eat together! Join your (Secretary), Erin Bayus, Edmond Chui, neighbours for the start of a Jason Gold, Christie Lutsiak, Andrew MacIsaac, Michelle McGuiness, Glenn regular Sunday dinner series. DECL SPRING CLEANUP Rowbottom, Tim Schneider, Xiaosu Zeng May 5, 10am Downtown Edmonton Community League Join us for our Annual Spring Clean- 10042 103 Avenue Up in conjunction with River Valley Edmonton, AB, T5J 0X2 Clean-Up. Get some exercise and web: decl.org keep our community clean! e: [email protected] Facebook.com/declorg Twitter: @DECLorg Instagram: @declorg

THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 11 FRONTYARDS | AROUND THE CORE

SKIRTSAFIRE FESTIVAL /// March 7 to 17 Check out Edmonton’s only multi-disciplinary arts festival celebrating and elevating the work of women. Most shows are by donation. The festival coincides with International Women’s Day (March 8). Various venues on around the core and Alberta Avenue.

EDMONTON POETRY FESTIVAL /// April 22 to 28 This is the 13th running of the festival. The theme is HomeWord. Expect a of poetic styles, from slam to verse to Various venues around the core

12 THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 FRONTYARDS | AROUND THE CORE

SKIRTSAFIRE FESTIVAL /// March 7 to 17 GLOW 2019 Check out Edmonton’s only /// March 21 to 23 multi-disciplinary arts festival The fourth running of an celebrating and elevating the illuminated night parade. Come work of women. Most shows to see huge animated lantern are by donation. The festival floats, which are built and coincides with International enlivened by the community. Women’s Day (March 8). This year’s theme: outerspace. Various venues on around the Quarters and Boyle Street, core and Alberta Avenue. 1PM-9PM (check website)

CHRIS HADFIELD EDMONTON POETRY /// April 30 FESTIVAL Ground control to Major Chris. /// April 22 to 28 He’s ’s most famous space This is the 13th running of the man. And he’ll be celebrating the festival. The theme is HomeWord. 50th anniversary of the Apollo Expect a spectrum of poetic 11 moon-landing. styles, from slam to verse to Winspear Centre, 4 Sir Various venues around the core Winston Churchill, 7:30PM

THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 13 FRONTYARDS | CORE SAMPLES

THETHE STARKMANSTARKMAN

THEN 1949-1989 NOW 1989-2019 Edmonton’s Starkman family built their eponymous but Normand Campbell wanted to be in the Starkman for modest building at Jasper Avenue and 116 Street in the late years. He says he continually hounded Howard Starkman, 1940s. It was a small, two-storey, brick-encased shoebox the owner, only to be turned down. Finally, after another that hugged the sidewalk and enlivened the morphing Oliver restaurant failed in the location, he said he wanted to come neighbourhood. From its earliest days, the building featured in. Starkman agreed. That’s how Normand’s started. He came an abundance of life both above and below street level, into the space as a bistro but shifted into a dining room to from apartments, to a dry goods store, to a Jewish deli that keep customers happy. His favourite parts? There’s still an offered the first pre-cooked take-out chickens in the city to, ironing board in the wall in Normand’s, a remnant from the for a spell, a gay nightclub and about four or five well known building’s old use as apartments. “It’s an old building and I but failed restaurants. The most infamous use: it’s told that love it,” Campbell says. Edmonton royalty Tommy Banks used the space to practice with other musicians.

14 THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 FRONTYARDS

Hot Takes: Buok Fresh Korean ads Food in the core is about stories

Buok Fresh Korean Kitchen has recently opened on 100 Avenue and 107 Street. We spoke with owner and operator Henry Song about the stories behind his food.

Buok means kitchen and … kitchens are always welcoming spaces. You can sit at the counter. There’s always some kind of food available. Mom’s cooking is always there. For us, food and love are kind of equiva- lent, and that’s why we have a passion for it, especially in our family. This is about my way of honouring my mom. This is the result of the love you’ve shown to us and the way you did it through your food. I knew this was always deep in my heart to make sure that we repre- sented Korean food, but in a way that it isn’t like every other Korean restaurant. We wanted to showcase the food we grew up with. One of the inspirations for the way we do our communal tables is really from one of my early trips going back to Korea. They would have these long communal tables, very sort of work-man like, and these business suit guys would come in, and they sit down, have a bowl of noodles and 15 minutes later, they got out. We’re pretty unique. It’s quick serve but it’s also Korean. Having this sort of environ- ment really lends to being downtown. We like where we’re at. I think being downtown in the evening, it has its own challenges itself, but we have a good core business which is lunch. I think that the city will stop expanding and it’ll contract back again, which means it’ll fill in the spaces here, and I know that there are new developments coming up for apartment build- ings and condos. Fresh, good, wholesome food anywhere should be allotted, welcomed and rewarded. Hopefully we will get there. If you can open [Korean food] up, I think more people will be exposed to it so it is not intimidating anymore.

- Interview by Miranda Herchen photo: William Frost

THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 15 FRONTYARDS

HOW TO Own a Pet in the Core BY: SYDNEE BRYANT

iving with a pooch, kittie or other type of pet in the core presents unique challenges, from L space to poop, to fines, to living restrictions. But it’s not impossible. We caught up with some experts to learn how best to do it in our neighbourhoods. The reason is simple: life with pets is in demand. Take Los Angeles. There, developers wanted to attract tenants to down- town spaces, and began a campaign targeting dog owners by allowing dogs of any size and not requiring a pet deposit. Now, 40 per cent of people living in downtown L.A. own dogs. Could Edmonton follow suit? Given that roughly one-third of Canadian households own a dog, let’s hope so.

16 THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 FRONTYARDS

1. How to follow rules First, license your pet(s) with the City of Edmonton. The fee for getting caught without a pet license is $250. Next, be a good person. Allowing Fido to poop on your neighbour’s lawn isn’t just rude, it’s illegal. Fail to scoop that poop and you’ll face $100 fine. And why not make doody duty more bearable with scented bags from Fox & Tux Pet Boutique (12523 102 Avenue)?

2. How to live Some rental buildings don’t allow pets, while others limit the size or number of dogs, or charge extra pet fees, even for cats. Liberty Quarters (9342 103 Avenue) is ahead of the pet-friendly curve. It doesn’t charge extra fees for animals.

3. How to play Your cat should probably stay leashed (cats kill far too many songbirds to be let outside without a leash) but your doggie should and can roam freely at more than 40 spaces in Edmonton, including some prime downtown spots like as Alex Decoteau Park, which has an area that allows dogs to go off leash.

4. How to chill Sometimes Fido or Toonces can get stir crazy at home alone. Consider trying pet daycare part-time or full-time so your darling can socialize. Dogtopia (10529 116 Street) is an off-leash facility that offers many options and is nearby; The Pampered Puppy (10303 124 Street) is another option. And if Mr. Whiskers needs a trim or some company, Carla’s Pet Sitting and Grooming will come right to your cat or dog, any day, any time.

5. How to heal Capital City Animal Hospital (11104 102 Avenue) offers primary and preventative care for pets, as well as dental and surgical services. It’s open Monday to Saturday, with late hours on Thursdays.

THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 17 BY: Tim Querengesser

A year after supervised consumption sites opened downtown, hundreds of overdoses have been reversed but calls for closure remain arl* stepped on top of the 100,000-barrel tank at the oilsands site in Fort McMurray. It was toward the end of Chis shift. As the head of a work crew, he went on the tank to check that his grunts were off the site and that he could head home. Carl looked from his perch, nearly 15 metres in the air, and confirmed his guys were gone. Quitting time. He walked to the edge of the tank, where scaffolding was rigged to its edge, and stepped onto it.

*Carl’s full name has not been used to protect his identity “The next thing you know – I didn’t is an unlabeled white door without a realize they were taking the north side window. One must ring a doorbell and be of the scaffolding apart – it just tumbled,” beckoned through this door to enter. Like Carl says. “I came down with it. Four A man rings a doorbell and staff inside a faberge egg, what you find on the other storeys.” beckon him through the door. When side is the first of three inner rooms that Carl’s next memory from that day Erica Schoen, director of supervised con- form one of Edmonton’s four supervised is being in a helicopter, struggling to sumption services at Boyle Street, sees consumption sites. breathe. Memory two is coming to in a him, she scrambles across the room. Here, in room one, nurses ask ques- hospital bed, feeling tubes in his mouth. “We’ve been worried about you,” tions, like: What are ways we can identify He tugged at them. Number three is his Schoen says. you? What are you consuming today? doctor, who stood at his bedside and What drugs have you used in the last told him he was lucky to be alive. Then 12 hours? Have you had any lapses in came the news. “He said, ‘I’m sorry but use recently? Do you need any other I have inform you, you’re paralyzed from “At last count, supports, like mental health, shelter, first the waist down,’” Carl says. “That was a aid? How are you feeling? And also, more shocker.” nurses at the site warmly, what’s new? After his fall, which happened about Deaths linked to opioids climbed two years ago, Carl fought to walk again. have from 443 in 2015 to 714 in 2017. It took One day, he says he suddenly felt one of years of these numbers increasing, and his toes. Later, friends put him on a tread- resuscitated Carl outrage from advocates, for this space mill, almost willing him to walk. Three to exist. In 2018, harm-reduction propo- months later, he says he walked out of nents in Alberta successfully pushed the the University of Alberta hospital, shakily, five times” federal government to allow agencies but on his own two feet. But from there, to apply for an exemption to the federal life didn’t much return. He couldn’t walk “We didn’t know what was happening. Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, well or work. The pain from his injuries How are you?” says another nurse, on for one year. Four have been granted was overpowering. He was still mourning her way over. this exemption in Edmonton. This means his wife, who had died a few years The man keeps his eyes low. He’s nurses can legally sit beside someone earlier. He treated his pain, in part, with white, wears a black coat and jeans, and injecting drugs and keep them alive a doctor-prescribed supply of hydromor- a woman is with him. The woman says if they overdose. Advocates say the phone, a powerful opioid. But challenges nothing but keeps looking at the man, as four sites – at Boyle Street, the George overwhelmed him. Recently, he ended if she’s worried. Spady Centre, the Royal Alexandra up on the street. And since March 2018, “I’m okay,” he says, to everyone, not Hospital and, as of November, the Boyle when Boyle Street’s supervised con- making eye contact. He just needs to use McCauley Health Centre – lead to fewer sumption site opened, Carl has been a today. And some food. deaths and fewer needles on the ground. regular client. The man has walked into a controver- But critics say much the opposite. At last count, nurses at the site have sial space. On the right side of the hallway They say the sites are increasing needle resuscitated Carl five times. at Boyle Street Community Services debris as well as crime. In Calgary, crime

THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 19 statistics show that a site inject them. This make a loud “crunch- should exist or not. And it’s the part that there has, in fact, been linked crunch” sound. To his right, a 20-some- Schoen says is powerful. with a spike in criminal activity thing white woman is several steps ahead “We instill hope for people,” she says. in its vicinity. This led the Alberta in the process. She releases the elastic “If you want everyone to go to detox or government, in January, to hastily around her arm. Moments later, she tran- treatment and for them to make all these commit $200,000 toward crime de- sitions from chatting with a nearby nurse changes, and at the same time we’re terrence. Meanwhile, in Edmonton, to resting her head in her arms. The kicking them while they’re down, how a national columnist has argued the nurse sits on a chair at an arm’s length, will people have the motivation to do downtown sites are leading to increased checking in to confirm she’s okay. She is. this? Sleeping in the shelters is difficult. needle debris in his neighbourhood, Schoen, who has stayed back to let Living on the street is extremely difficult. while the Chinatown Business Associ- me observe, next shows me room three, These people are dealing with so much ation, part of a community that hosts the monitoring room, where clients are stuff and then, on top of things, we’re several of the sites, has taken its op- asked to stay for at least 15 minutes after going to blame them for trying to treat position to the sites to the courts (see using, so staff can continue keeping tabs. mental health, emotional and physical sidebar). This is an important spot. It’s also here, pain? I think we could be doing a better Within this push and pull is a larger Schoen says, where referrals are often job of supporting people with that.” truth: the sites save lives. Between March made. Mental health supports are a big Consumption sites were never about 23, 2018 to January 31, 2019, Elliott Tanti, one, as is housing. One client, who staff solving the opioid crisis, Schoen says. spokesperson for Boyle Street, says Instead, they’re just one of many tools. visits at the three community sites (the “There are many other things we could fourth, at the Royal Alex hospital, is run “Consumption be doing, including decriminalization, by Alberta Health Services) in Edmonton providing people safe drugs, giving totalled 34,990. At the Boyle Street site sites were never people alternatives to having to buy and the Boyle McCauley Health Centre poison off the street,” she says. sites, nurses saw 1,257 unique individ- about solving the Outside the focus on the drugs and uals, referred them to other services consumption, these tools lead to shifts, 13,416 times and, staggeringly, reversed she says. “I do believe someone who has 221 overdoses. opioid crisis,” a sense of purpose is less likely to use Back in the site, and after answering drugs. If they have something better to questions in room one, a client is next Schoen says. do, or they get tired of the chase, it’s not welcomed into room two: the consump- necessarily because they did what we tion room. This is the area few people are “Instead, they’re a wanted, go to detox and go to treatment. allowed to see while clients actually use There are people who have gone to it. Today, I’ve been allowed. treatment 30 times and it hasn’t worked I stand at the cusp, just outside the tool. One of many” for them. And then there’s people who door, to give the two clients currently have been housed and say, ‘Oh Erica, I inside some privacy. To my right is a cart had helped find housing – which in turn have my own space now and I don’t feel with metal trays filled with blue and red led to the woman reducing the amount so hopeless and I’m decorating and now elastic straps, plastic-wrapped syringes, of drugs she uses to a trickle – also has maybe I want to do something else.’” cotton filters, hand wipes and other tools an upcoming operation at the hospital for But fentanyl, the poison Schoen refers to work with opioids. a long-standing injury. One of Schoen’s to, is a powerful force. When the Boyle One of the people inside, a lean, white staff is going to go with her, like a friend Street site first opened, she says it was man, wearing steel-toed work boots and would. common to “hit” a person who had over- a blue coat with reflective tape, works It’s this part of the consumption site dosed once or twice with naloxone. But away in one of five booths, which have – the relationships, empathy and knowl- recently, they’ve had to hit people with sharps container and a mirror. He’s edge of the healthcare system – that’s up to eight doses to bring them back, she grinding pills he’s brought, preparing to lost in the debate about whether they says. “The overdoses have got worse

20 THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 since we opened.” ferred fix, heroin. His addiction requires I ask Schoen why she showed so much he feed his body lots of opioids, daily. If concern for the man who appeared at the he doesn’t, he says withdrawal can be door earlier. The stigmatization of drug so powerful it could eventually kill him. use creates barriers for people like him And so in recent years, Carl couldn’t Against the to get help, even though the underlying find heroin and had to use fentanyl. He issue is mental-health related, she says. did this at the consumption site close to Cluster “We’ve just been very concerned with where he spends his time on the streets. his mental health. If we build those rela- “I came here, and you can ask the staff tionships, people feel welcome and they – I think in one day I dropped five times keep coming back and they know they with fentanyl. I wasn’t used to it,” he says. can trust us. I’ve seen him in the hallway “I can do heroin all day long. They had before, and he’s like ‘Do you have any to give me the oxygen mask, NARCAN. food?’ and I’m like, ‘Come on in, I’ll try to Unbelievable.” In December, the Chinatown and find you some.’ He knows our faces and Few things about drugs really scare Area Business Association took trusts us.” Carl. What does is a situation he de- an application to a federal court, People like him often fall through the scribes as an epidemic, with meth asking the court to strike down the cracks, she says, because drugs create flooding the streets on top of the existing federal exemption created for the barriers to addressing what’s really opioid crisis. “Until you realize that and supervised consumption sites in its leading to drug use. “Regardless of what start dealing with the problem, it’s going vicinity. the behaviour is, regardless of what’s to be worse and worse,” he says. “It’s The Association, which filed an in- happening with them, if they’re walking already in middle-class suburbia and the junction in 2017, argued in court that out into traffic, people think it’s because schools. I’ve seen people from schools the community was not properly of the drugs. If they are barefoot in minus come down and buy from people off the consulted about supervised con- 35, it’s because of the drugs.” streets here. So it’s here, it’s here to stay, sumption sites and that information It’s an easy scapegoat, she says, and a and as far as us having injection sites, it’s shared about the project was not in barrier to making real change. important. More crystal meth users are Chinese as well as in English. It also argued that it has concerns about the three sites being clustered so “Until you realize close together. Carl sits in the office at Boyle Street Research from Vancouver, where Community Services. He’s white, in his the Insite supervised consumption 60s, wears a beige puffy parka, an orange that and start facility has been operating since baseball hat that says ‘Netherlands’ and 2003, suggests users of an injec- dark blue jogging pants. He walks de- dealing with the tion site will travel no more than liberately with a walker, and grunts and about four blocks to use them. clenches with pain whenever he sits. His problem it’s going If they are farther than this, the face can look somewhat ragged, intimi- research suggests users will inject dating, but that’s only if he doesn’t know to be worse and in public places instead. you. If he does, and he likes you, Carl Other research from Vancou- shifts dramatically. His eyes can almost ver, however, shows that crime in smile. If Carl likes you, it’s hard not to like worse” the downtown Eastside, where a Carl back. majority of consumption sites are The thing you need to know about Carl coming in, but in turn that pushes opioid located, has increased since 2002. is that he used heroin, daily, for nearly users out. And there lies your dilemma. Interestingly, drugs consumed at 40 years. He’s proud of this record. He We have four sites that are here within the sites in the downtown Eastside suggests it shows how deliberate he the city now and all four are to maximum are “pre-obtained.” Critics say this has been, how he scrutinized suppli- capacity. It has to be enlarged. You’ll start suggests they are often bought ers, injected test shots, lived with deep turning people away. And when you turn near the point of consumption and respect for his drug’s potency despite his people away then it engrains in them not that this is as an argument against strong tolerance for it. This approach, he to even go near it. And they’ll just go out clustering. says, allowed him to maintain a marriage, and use in back alleys and public places In May 2017, Edmonton City raise his kids and run a wildly lucrative and bathrooms.” Council voted in favour of cluster- construction business while also using. But Carl is most concerned with ing four of the sites in what is partly “In all my years, from 1982 to 2017, I Edmonton itself. He says it’s a place with Chinatown. never dropped once,” he says. a drug problem that doesn’t want to look The judge overseeing the case What took Carl down was fentanyl. at it very often or work to fix it. Having has reserved his decision. At the After falling from the oil tank, fighting lived in Vancouver, eastern Canada and time The Yards went to press, he through his paralysis, and after fentanyl spent time with users in different parts of had not released it. came to push heroin out of the drug the country, he has some wisdom about supply in western Canada over the past the situation. “I say this sincerely,” he few years, Carl found himself forced to says. “I’ve been to a lot of cities, and I’ve use it, as an additive to his prescription never seen it like it is here in Edmonton.” opioids – which was either not strong enough or something he sold for his pre-

THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 21 PLAZA CAPITAL GROUNDGROUND WARSWARS What space is the best to fest in the core?

f Edmonton is festival city, the core is its festival district. As such it’s essential that SQUARE CHURCHILL Iwe have enough public event spaces to deal with all the people and energy these events pull in. And yet when it comes to these spaces, there are few options. Sure, the new Imagine Jasper Avenue plan includes a new small plaza, on the north side of Jasper Avenue and 110 Street, but it’s not going to host a big festival. That means there are only three plazas downtown that are large enough to absorb the massive crowds for events like Taste of Edmonton, the Works Art & Design Festival, the International Street Performers Festival and others. And one of the three is not even finished yet. Add to this the recent construction in Churchill Square that has pushed festivals to new areas in the core and has ignited debate about one area being better than the other and, well, you have a conundrum. Which space is best to fest in the core? BY: SYDNEE BRYANT PLAZA

22 THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 PLAZA CAPITAL

Photos: Mack Male

Capital Plaza Churchill Square Ice District Plaza SQUARE CHURCHILL WHAT IS IT?

Often referred to as “the Leg Grounds,” Centrally located, with lots of public art Currently under construction, the Ice Dis- Capital Plaza was completed in 1983 and and space to roam, Churchill Square has trict Plaza will be 50,000-plus square foot quickly became a gathering place for thou- been a long-time home to many of the cit- plaza in the heart of downtown. Located sands of people on Family Day and Canada ies most illustrious festivals. The square between 102 and 103 streets, and between Day. While government policy used to pre- can comfortably hold 12,000 visitors. A new 104 and 103 avenues, it will host outdoor vent eating and drinking in the Plaza, the skating rink and water fountain are due to concerts and festivals, plus offer an out- rules were recently relaxed to allow for Taste open this summer. Some remember the door ice-skating rink. But all these fan- of Edmonton to temporarily relocate there. pre-2004 version, which had more grass, cy amenities don’t come cheap. Recently, Capital Plaza saw 368,000 visitors over 10 with nostalgia. New senator, former colum- some city councillors balked at the Katz days as a result of Taste of Edmonton. Many nist Paula Simons described the redesign Group’s $10-million dollar request for pub- festival-goers raved about the space. as having a “fascistic” air. lic funding for the plaza, which is actually a private space that appears public. This resulted in a behind-closed-doors conver- sation in council chambers. PLAZA ICE DISTRICT WHY IT’S GREAT

Located just steps away from Grandin sta- With pedway access to Churchill Station The Plaza is part of a privately developed tion on the LRT’s Capital Line, the plaza is and plenty of bus stops and paid parkades district, so it’s no surprise that it’s in a easy to access by transit – and it’s hard to in the area, the square is easy to get to and prime spot, with a luxury J.W. Marriott hotel miss while driving. The Legislative Assem- from at basically any time of day or night. and several upscale restaurants nearby. It’s bly building, plus the lush greenery and It’s centrally located right by the AGA, Cita- relatively easy enough to access using bike meticulous flower beds surrounding it make del Theatre, Winspear Centre, and the new lanes, or transit (though surely could have for an Instagram-worthy background for RAM, not to mention multiple hotels and been better), and once the district is com- any event. Perhaps the best part? It’s set back restaurants, making it the ideal spot for plete, anyone visiting the plaza will be only a from the roadways and is quiet in many areas. tourists. There are public washrooms avail- stone’s throw away from tons of retail options, able in Centennial Pavilion, and visitors can including a sorely-needed grocery store. stop by the Happy Wall (until May).

“Benches everywhere, places to sit “Churchill Square probably has a little “The Ice District Plaza will be like Toronto’s everywhere, picnic tables everywhere. bit better connectivity in terms of transit Dundas Square, but “on steroids.”” - Glen It’s so much more relaxed.” - Normand and parking opportunities [than Capital Scott, former senior vice-president of real Campbell, owner of Normand’s Bistro and Plaza].” - Ian O’Donnell, executive director estate for Katz Group. a Taste of Edmonton vendor. of the Downtown Business Association.

THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 23 Capital Plaza Churchill Square Ice District Plaza WHY IT’S NOT SO GREAT

There’s no subsidized (or “free”) parking, It’s currently under a seemingly endless It’s an area with heavy vehicular traffic, and the paid parking lot is a bit of a hike stream of multiple construction projects; meaning congestion will always be an issue. from the plaza, which proved to be a sore there is no subsidized (“free”) parking, And there will not be a lot of green space, point for Taste of Edmonton vendors in which leads those coming from outside the considering the plaza will be smack dab in 2018. Safety concerns about poor lighting core to complain; and animals are gener- the middle of the concrete jungle – especial- and heavy traffic, on 109 Street, which ally not permitted if food is being served. ly with the Times Square-esque billboard sit- flanks the site, may be an issue for pedestri- There’s also no permanent stage or sound uation anticipated. With the car-clogged 104 ans and cyclists during evening events. equipment available for concerts, and the Avenue nearby, it’ll also likely be loud. And surrounding traffic on 100 Street, including it’s technically a private space. buses, can be incredibly loud.

GENERAL AGREEMENT

Why the best fest space in Oliver is currently a parking lot

ith wide open spaces at a consultation sessions, residents Wpremium downtown, where continually coloured the parking should Edmonton’s next great pub- lot in green, to signify they’d like lic plaza be? Lisa Brown, president to see it become a park. of the Oliver Community League, “It’s a cool space from the per- says the answer is right in front of spective that it’s right on the the Edmonton General. street,” Brown says. The location In 2017, the surface parking lot in is also ideal because it’s an open front of the hospital was used as space next to one of Edmonton’s a public gathering space for Expe- main streets. Once Imagine Jasper rience Jasper Avenue, which was construction is complete, Jasper Jasper Ave part of the Imagine Jasper Avenue Avenue will also be the first main 109 Street project. There were several public street to implement flex space, 111 Street events at the space, complete with which can be used for everything food trucks and live bands. These for patios to performance spac- were held to test out the new de- es, or alternatively, parking. “It sign for the avenue (from 109 could be made into a public pla- 112 Street Street to 124 Street). At each of za,” Brown says, of the parking lot. these events, the city worked with “Edmonton General is more of a Covenant Health to use half the long-term care facility, so having parking lot in front of the hospital, outdoor space for the people that Brown says. And at Imagine Jasper are there would be quite lovely.”

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Locating how to how Lulu Our fourth-annual celebration of where and how to Creating 12 Champions 14 experience the greatness of Downtown and Oliver VOLUNTEER! 15 Leaving 17 IMPROV! Legacies 16 Board Games Small Matters GROW! 18 18 Win the Games of Condo Downtown Retail Faces a PARTY! Boards pg 21 Crossroads pg 24 22 BOUNCY CASTLE! 20 GREEN SHACK!22

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s both the ageing pool and arena indicator of how much total property or home. It’s also in the geographic heart A near the end of their useful lives, tax each neighbourhood contributes to of Oliver. Most Oliverians can walk or bike it’s time for a new vision for recreation Edmonton coffers. to the pool in a few minutes. It’s one of the facilities in Oliver. The neighbourhood Out of all residential neighbourhoods in few recreation facilities that’s easy to reach is growing and our need for recreational Edmonton, Oliver has the second-highest if you don’t drive. spaces is, too. And I think creative thinking total assessed value, at $4.1 billion. Only Ultimately, Edmonton City Council could re-define what an urban style downtown is higher, at $8.5 billion. The per rejected administration’s suggestion to recreation facility looks here. square kilometre value for Oliver is $2.4 close Oliver Pool. Bullet dodged. But now Many residents were rightly shocked billion, and by this metric it’s still second is the time to start thinking about what when, in November, city administration in the city to downtown, at $3.7 billion a new recreation centre could look like in recommended that Oliver Pool be closed, Oliver. after it completed a program and service Imagine: a new, multi-purpose facility review. According to the city, the city “Oliver generates built on the existing footprint of the Oliver subsidized each visit to Oliver Pool at an Pool and Arena. A multi-storey building average of $21 per user, compared to $12 some of the could incorporate a community recreation per user at other city-run outdoor pools. centre and daycare on the main floor, I don’t dispute the city’s subsidization highest property small scale commercial retail facing 104 rate. However, like other amenities such as Avenue and several storeys of housing parks and libraries, pools are primarily paid on top of the podium. Housing could be a for by city tax revenue. Subsidy per user is tax revenues for mix of affordable housing, seniors housing a good metric but needs to be viewed in the and market housing with larger units context of the community’s amenities and the city. Yet it has for young families. The facility would be tax contributions. steps from the new LRT, making it one of How much does Oliver contribute in no library, large- the most transit-friendly facilities in the taxes and how much of that is spent on city. Perhaps even a small library could be amenities, then? The City of Edmonton’s scale recreation incorporated with pickup/drop-off services open data portal provides insight, as it for library materials with community provides market value assessment meeting space and co-working space. information for every property centre or I don’t know if any or all of these ideas in the city. Since Edmonton’s are feasible. But it’s time to be more property taxes are tied to community hall” creative with recreation centres. The City the assessed market of Edmonton is actively encouraging more value of each per square kilometre. This means Oliver compact building styles and mixed-use property, this generates some of the highest property tax neighbourhoods. Oliver is an example of creates a revenues for the city. Yet it has no library, such a neighbourhood. We need to leverage good large-scale recreation centre or community this opportunity the ageing pool presents. hall, despite housing 10,647 people per Let’s build a community facility that makes square kilometre. That’s a clear inequity. Oliver an even better place to live. So, in light of the high density, Oliver Pool is more than just a place to By: Dustin Martin swim and cool off. It’s also a place to meet neighbours and friends. It’s one of those ‘third spaces’ that’s not work

26 THE YARDS | SPRING 2019 THE YARDS SPRING EDITION

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