Tourist Attractions you would like to see in Calgary

[*Stardust*]

Originally Posted by speedog

Okay, for those of you wanting for a market in the core/beltline - apparently someone will be opening a market back up in the Eau Claire Market Mall. It probably won't be a certified farmer's market meaning that the produce/products being sold there could come from anywhere - never the less, it will be interesting to see if a market can succeed in this space, would be nice to have there again what was there 20+ years ago. Certainly the number of residential units in the area has increased substantially in the years since there was a real market there and that just might be the key to any future success.

Great news I hope this works

[Rusty van Reddick]

Speedog, do you know if that "someone" was recently affiliated with Kingsland FM? I've heard a very vague rumour along those lines but wasn't specifically about Eau Claire, just "inner city."

[speedog]

Originally Posted by Rusty van Reddick

Speedog, do you know if that "someone" was recently affiliated with Kingsland FM? I've heard a very vague rumour along those lines but wasn't specifically about Eau Claire, just "inner city."

Don't know but do know that Kingsland has been having some struggles of their own - after having been connected to the local farmer's market scene for the padt seven years through my wife and the market she manages, one gets hear of things going on.

[Chealion]

Originally Posted by Riise

It would be really neat if Calgary had a Video Game Museum.

Resurrecting an older thread: we do kind of have one already being assembled at the U of C in the Digital Media Commons complete with PCs and consoles to play said games: http://library.ucalgary.ca/dmc/equipment

[speedog]

So news out of some struggles at Kingsland Farmers' Market - Calgary Herald story.

Word from several vendors we know that deposits are lost, multiple vendors at Kingsland have either shut down or moved out. Some have started to look for full time work as Kingsland was their only location and now they've lost everything because of what is developing there.

Also am hearing from vendors that there is some type of connection between Kingsland and the upcoming Eau Claire market - whether this is something potential vendors at the Eau Claire market should be wary of or not is difficult to say.

[Spring2008]

Stars aligning for Olympic celebration in Calgary

Musical, artistic talent big part of Calgary events

Juno nominee Alyssa Reid will headline Parade of Champions entertainment for the 2014 Celebration of Excellence in Calgary June 6.

It will be a day to celebrate Canada’s Olympic triumphs, and that celebration will come with some world-class entertainment.

The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees on Wednesday announced a stellar list of musical and artistic talent performing in Calgary June 6 for the 2014 Celebration of Excellence, which includes the Parade of Champions and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala and induction ceremony at the Saddledome.

The day’s entertainment begins at 11:30 a.m. with the Parade of Champions that incorporates a special performance by Cavalia for spectators in downtown Calgary, with more than 200 Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches taking part. Canadian pop superstar and Juno Award nominee Alyssa Reid will headline the Parade of Champions entertainment. CBC Calgary personalities Doug Dirks and Rosa Marchitelli will take to the stage as parade hosts alongside Olympic champion and Sochi 2014 assistant chef de mission, Jean-Luc Brassard. Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi will join as the official parade grand marshal.

In the evening, Canadian Olympians from Sochi along with Canadian Paralympic flag bearers from Sochi, Sonja Gaudet and Josh Dueck, will attend the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala and Induction Ceremony. Additional top Canadian musical acts Roch Voisine, Brett Kissel, Andee, Frédéric Darveau and Whip Cream Band, Cirque du Soleil, Oliver Jones Daniel Clarke Bouchard and Reid will rock the night away at the Hall of Fame Gala as CBC’s Scott Russell and two-time Olympic champion Catriona Le May Doan hit the stage as hosts.

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games are beacons of patriotism in our country,” said Reid. “As a proud Canadian artist, it is such an honour to perform for my fellow Albertans and the entire team for such an amazing Canadian event honouring our athletic heroes.”

Hall of Fame Gala guests can even expect a special Cirque du Soleil performance. In addition, Olympians Natalie Spooner, Gilmore Junio, Eric Radford, Dylan Moscovitch, and Jan Hudec will hit the stage for a ‘one night only’ musical jam session.

“After performing the official Canadian Olympic anthem, Living Out My Dreams, for the Olympic athletes in Sochi, I am honoured to be part of the 2014 Celebration of Excellence,” said Voisine. “I am excited to perform at and support such an important event — one that recognizes the achievements of our Canadian athletes who competed in Sochi and everything they have done for their country.”

“The 2014 Celebration of Excellence has a star-studded lineup that will have guests and fans screaming for more,” said Marcel Aubut, president of the Canadian Olympic Committee. “This will truly be a celebration to remember. They deserve this.”

Throughout the 2014 Celebration of Excellence over 200 Olympians, Paralympians and coaches will be making public appearances starting on June 4 at Ottawa-area schools and hospitals as well as the House of Commons.

The Heroes Tour, consisting of school and hospital visits, will be making its way through Calgary, Banff, Red Deer and Edmonton on June 5; and the post-Sochi Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala, Induction Ceremony and Parade of Champions will take place in the host city of Calgary on June 6.

Proceeds from the Hall of Fame Gala in Calgary will go to the Canadian Olympic Foundation as well as a legacy coaching program in Calgary to support the next generation of Olympians.

For more information on the 2014 Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, please visit: http://wp.me/P3DwEw-Xn.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainme...c+celebration+Calgary/9888238/story.html

[speedog]

Am bumping this thread with respect to a farmers market discussion that happened about a month ago in "The Retail Thread" and because my family is somewhat involved/aware of the farmers market scene in Calgary.

So with respect to framers markets in Calgary, what do people want? Do they want a true farmers market where most of the produce/meats/cheese/products are mostly local (from within Alberta) or do they want a market where produce/meats/cheese/products can come from anywhere in the world? Do they want a market which is more of a food court than not like Calgary Farmers Market or do they want a market that offers no ready to eat on the spot fair?

I see that some have mused about just setting a market up in a unused or idle parking lot or field but anyone who owns a parking lot will probably charge some sort of fee to use that space. A market like Hillhurst/Sunnyside pays no rent because it is operated by that community association and as such, is able to advertise quite a bit because they have no rental/lease costs to deal with - similar would be the Triwood and Bridgeland markets. Problem is that these community association markets are generally quite small.

So in the core/beltline, what do people want? There is the new Eau Clairie Market (quite small) but that probably is only going to be around for a short while until that land gets redeveloped. There's the Bridgeland market but it is struggling - poor location and small area again. Hillhurst/Sunnyside - about as big as it's going to get.

Again, what are people looking for in a farmers market? Leasing/rental costs for space in the core/beltline will halt many a venture unless it is community association based but in turn any community association based market is usually quite small and run on a weekly basis. If people are wanting a 7 day a week operation, it needs to be noted that there are no 7 day a week markets anywhere in Calgary and there probably won't be anytime soon. Finally, starting a new market in Calgary is difficult because there are so many now and there is a limited number of producers who actually market their produce/meat/wares/etc at markets - this 2014 season there were at least 15 markets in Calgary with another 7 in communities that were within a 20 minute drive of Calgary's borders.

So what do the people want in the core/beltline?

[suburbia]

Might be interesting to look at the top items in other cities, like Toronto, and think about ours within that context.

See:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/canada/trave...-toronto-should-top-your-must-visit-list

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/canada/toronto/things-to-do/top-things-to-do-in-toronto

One of the challenges I see with Calgary is the limited opportunities on water. I'm wondering if there can be something done to leverage the Glenmore Reservoir better? I think St. Patrick's Island will help in this area also.

I've also previously spoken about an interpretive centre atop or on the edge of Nosehill that could speak about the natural history of the region and maybe also touch on Calgary (IE we don't really have a Calgary museum, which could be an interesting asset in conjunction with a regional natural history interpretive centre within the Nosehill context).

[Spring2008]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Might be interesting to look at the top items in other cities, like Toronto, and think about ours within that context.

See:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/canada/trave...-toronto-should-top-your-must-visit-list

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/canada/toronto/things-to-do/top-things-to-do-in-toronto

One of the challenges I see with Calgary is the limited opportunities on water. I'm wondering if there can be something done to leverage the Glenmore Reservoir better? I think St. Patrick's Island will help in this area also.

I've also previously spoken about an interpretive centre atop or on the edge of Nosehill that could speak about the natural history of the region and maybe also touch on Calgary (IE we don't really have a Calgary museum, which could be an interesting asset in conjunction with a regional natural history interpretive centre within the Nosehill context).

Not sure this would become a top attraction, but has potential.

[*Stardust*]

Originally Posted by speedog

Am bumping this thread with respect to a farmers market discussion that happened about a month ago in "The Retail Thread" and because my family is somewhat involved/aware of the farmers market scene in Calgary.

So with respect to framers markets in Calgary, what do people want? Do they want a true farmers market where most of the produce/meats/cheese/products are mostly local (from within Alberta) or do they want a market where produce/meats/cheese/products can come from anywhere in the world? Do they want a market which is more of a food court than not like Calgary Farmers Market or do they want a market that offers no ready to eat on the spot fair?

I see that some have mused about just setting a market up in a unused or idle parking lot or field but anyone who owns a parking lot will probably charge some sort of fee to use that space. A market like Hillhurst/Sunnyside pays no rent because it is operated by that community association and as such, is able to advertise quite a bit because they have no rental/lease costs to deal with - similar would be the Triwood and Bridgeland markets. Problem is that these community association markets are generally quite small.

So in the core/beltline, what do people want? There is the new Eau Clairie Market (quite small) but that probably is only going to be around for a short while until that land gets redeveloped. There's the Bridgeland market but it is struggling - poor location and small area again. Hillhurst/Sunnyside - about as big as it's going to get.

Again, what are people looking for in a farmers market? Leasing/rental costs for space in the core/beltline will halt many a venture unless it is community association based but in turn any community association based market is usually quite small and run on a weekly basis. If people are wanting a 7 day a week operation, it needs to be noted that there are no 7 day a week markets anywhere in Calgary and there probably won't be anytime soon. Finally, starting a new market in Calgary is difficult because there are so many now and there is a limited number of producers who actually market their produce/meat/wares/etc at markets - this 2014 season there were at least 15 markets in Calgary with another 7 in communities that were within a 20 minute drive of Calgary's borders.

So what do the people want in the core/beltline?

Personally, like I said before I would like to see a permanent farmers market. Whether it be West End, Eau Claire or Beltline. Local suppliers would be nice, which would support organic and local farming. But a food court area would be awesome. I think out of all the farmers markets I've been to, my favourite one might be St. Lawrence market in Toronto. Food court upstairs with lots of unique vendors and another floor that supplies veggies/fruits/meats/dairy. There has to be unique shops and vendors specific to Calgary, because it would act as a tourist attraction.

[Allan83]

I don’t mind going to the new style farmers markets every now and then, but what I think we miss is a true, no frills, fresh local produce in season, at or below grocery store prices, type farmers market. To me this is what a farmers market is. Good local produce straight from the local farmers at a good price because you’re cutting out the middle man.

[Allan83]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Might be interesting to look at the top items in other cities, like Toronto, and think about ours within that context.

See:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/canada/trave...-toronto-should-top-your-must-visit-list

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/canada/toronto/things-to-do/top-things-to-do-in-toronto

One of the challenges I see with Calgary is the limited opportunities on water. I'm wondering if there can be something done to leverage the Glenmore Reservoir better? I think St. Patrick's Island will help in this area also.

I've also previously spoken about an interpretive centre atop or on the edge of Nosehill that could speak about the natural history of the region and maybe also touch on Calgary (IE we don't really have a Calgary museum, which could be an interesting asset in conjunction with a regional natural history interpretive centre within the Nosehill context).

We stack up pretty well against Toronto.

Limited water opportunities? People come here just for the fly fishing. Harvey passage at some point will once again give people a place to kayak and shoot rapids in a canoe right in the city. The reservoir has both a rowing club and a sailing club. You can go scuba diving at Lake Minnewanka as well. People come to Predator Bay specifically for water skiing completions as well.


http://www.iwsf.com/dbheadlines/showarticle.php?id=355

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Allan83

We stack up pretty well against Toronto.

Limited water opportunities? People come here just for the fly fishing. Harvey passage at some point will once again give people a place to kayak and shoot rapids in a canoe right in the city. The reservoir has both a rowing club and a sailing club. You can go scuba diving at Lake Minnewanka as well. People come to Predator Bay specifically for water skiing completions as well.


http://www.iwsf.com/dbheadlines/showarticle.php?id=355

I'm not sure why anyone would fly to Calgary to scubadive in Minnewanka (to see what, rocks/) and I don't even know where Predator Bay is (meaning, that's pretty niche) but your general point is valid I suppose.

Have you ever taken the jet boat upstream from Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls?

[MasterG]

Originally Posted by *Stardust*

Personally, like I said before I would like to see a permanent farmers market. Whether it be West End, Eau Claire or Beltline. Local suppliers would be nice, which would support organic and local farming. But a food court area would be awesome. I think out of all the farmers markets I've been to, my favourite one might be St. Lawrence market in Toronto. Food court upstairs with lots of unique vendors and another floor that supplies veggies/fruits/meats/dairy. There has to be unique shops and vendors specific to Calgary, because it would act as a tourist attraction.

I wonder if it is even possible to get a large institution like that in the centre city?

Most of the examples elsewhere were rehabilitated older buildings that were hard to repurpose, such as St.Lawrence Market. We really don't have any, unless they open Mewata for that purpose.

Granville Island would be a nice example of a modern one, but if I recall correctly, it was an underused industrial plot. Calgary doesn't have a stock of underused industrial buildings in the core, with an exception of a few plots along 10th / 11th ave. However, it is not like these are a deal either, any farmer market would have to outbid a condo developer for the plots. I really don't know the economics of building a farmers market from scratch, but I suspect it has relatively tight margins and tends to shy away from building construction.

I'm not sure the path that is required to get there in the current market, but I do think the next phase of Calgary's urban boom has to be some larger institutions like a farmers market. The NMC is certainly shaping up to be a draw along with the new Library. A large Beltline movie theatre complex would be a good, though not unique, Calgary draw.

One thing the city should focus is keep expanding the existing popular festivals and events. Many festivals are really coming into their own. Lilac Fest stands out as an overcrowded maxed-out festival crying for expansion. They should start closing more streets (17th Ave for example) and allow it to keep growing, in another decade if could become a two-day festival and start to try some really interesting things.

Folk Fest is another that is maxed out. They should find ways to keep growing it, start having additional venues off the Island. The demand appears to be there.

Sled Island had a banner year last year and is being taken more and more seriously in the indie music scene. 200+ bands and 30+ venues all throughout the inner city. The thousands of people scattering between all the different combinations of venues make the city alive like few other inner city festivals. Lots of growth potential still, it seems like they keep building in popularity and reach.

[speedog]

Predator Bay - one of those sports venues hidden away near Calgary that no one knows anything about.

[speedog]

Originally Posted by Allan83

I don’t mind going to the new style farmers markets every now and then, but what I think we miss is a true, no frills, fresh local produce in season, at or below grocery store prices, type farmers market. To me this is what a farmers market is. Good local produce straight from the local farmers at a good price because you’re cutting out the middle man.

This would be your GOA approved SunnyGirl farmers' markets and the seasonal ones and in the CoC you have the Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers' Market, the Bridgeland Farmers' Market, the Eau Claire Farmers' Market, the Marda Loop Farmers' Market and the Grassroots Northland Farmers' Market. Of these 5 seasonal markets, the Grassroots Northland one is the oldest and the largest - of note, these are all seasonal markets which means the produce you'll find at them will be fresh and local (or from BC).

Calgary Farmers Market and The Market on MacLeod are also GOA approved farmers' markets in Calgary but the produce offered now and through to the spring will not be fresh grown produce - it'll either have been stored or shipped in from out of country.

All of the rest of the markets in Calgary are not GOA approved farmers' markets - they are either public markets or flea markets and have no rules governing what they sell or where those sold products come from.

[Doug]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Islands_Resort

[Allan83]

Originally Posted by suburbia

I'm not sure why anyone would fly to Calgary to scubadive in Minnewanka (to see what, rocks/) and I don't even know where Predator Bay is (meaning, that's pretty niche) but your general point is valid I suppose.

Have you ever taken the jet boat upstream from Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls?

People scuba dive in Lake Minnewanka because there is an old town underwater on the bottom of the lake, the town of Minnewanka, I believe. That also reminds me that there is quite a bit of white water rafting in the area as well, and right in Calgary there is also the popular activity of renting an inflatable raft and seeing the city by floating down the Bow and Elbow Rivers.

No, I’ve never taken a jet boat ride from Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls. I wasn’t aware that that was a particularly scenic area. Is it nice?

I realize that you live out in the suburbs, and maybe not around many people with varied interests, but there’s actually a lot to do in Calgary.

[Allan83]

Originally Posted by speedog

This would be your GOA approved SunnyGirl farmers' markets and the seasonal ones and in the CoC you have the Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers' Market, the Bridgeland Farmers' Market, the Eau Claire Farmers' Market, the Marda Loop Farmers' Market and the Grassroots Northland Farmers' Market. Of these 5 seasonal markets, the Grassroots Northland one is the oldest and the largest - of note, these are all seasonal markets which means the produce you'll find at them will be fresh and local (or from BC).

I've been to a couple of those a couple of times, but I'll try the others as well. Thanks!

[Allan83]

Originally Posted by 5seconds

There is talk about a Tsuu T'ina heritage and cultural centre and museum south of Westhills, overlooking the Elbow river. If done well (and the money being talked about makes me think it will be) it could be an amazing cultural attraction for Calgary.

Granted, it's probably 20 years away, but I am looking forward to it.

That would be awesome, and much needed. Are they thinking of something along the lines of Wanuskewin in Saskatoon?
http://www.wanuskewin.com/