Tourist Attractions you would like to see in Calgary - Page 10

Innersoul1 · #**181** Posted **Nov 7, 2014, 7:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterG

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.

I feel like we are fairly limited in the core in terms of bringing this sort of thing indoors in a functional space like the Calgary Farmers Market. As you pointed out we don't have those old industrial style buildings.

Maybe something done in conjunction with the East Village would work. My vision would be a weekly, weekend outdoor market. Maybe along the River Walk or on the Fort Calgary lands. There is that BIG field. You would have vendors much like the Grassroots Northland Market, food trucks, crafts vendors etc. Much like the vendors we see at events like Lilac Fest. If they really wanted to go big they could erect one of those temporary tents at Fort Calgary to take the vendors out of the elements.

MasterG · #**182** Posted **Nov 7, 2014, 7:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

I feel like we are fairly limited in the core in terms of bringing this sort of thing indoors in a functional space like the Calgary Farmers Market. As you pointed out we don't have those old industrial style buildings.

Maybe something done in conjunction with the East Village would work. My vision would be a weekly, weekend outdoor market. Maybe along the River Walk or on the Fort Calgary lands. There is that BIG field. You would have vendors much like the Grassroots Northland Market, food trucks, crafts vendors etc. Much like the vendors we see at events like Lilac Fest. If they really wanted to go big they could erect one of those temporary tents at Fort Calgary to take the vendors out of the elements.

Not a bad idea. Market Collective did a big event on the EV Plaza this September in a open-air tent and was really well attended. They added about 10 food trucks and some music to it as well, was quite a crowd. Something like this but more regular and expansive would be a hit.

googspecial · #**183** Posted **Nov 7, 2014, 7:45 PM**

Along with a Farmer's Market in the eastern part of the core (EV or VicPark), it would be cool to have an 'Urban Farm' as well, perhaps community garden style, or private - I'm thinking on one of the blocks South adjacent to the Orchard. It would be nice to have Stampede on board with it, which would be in line with their 'agricultural roots'.

Fuzz · #**184** Posted **Nov 8, 2014, 1:51 AM**

What about around here:
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.04434...GjWek6LIJqSIxjgvaE0Q&cbp=11,23.5,,0,6.42

Nice empty lots, probably cheaper than EV, right next to LRT, not to far from Beltline...

*Stardust* · #**185** Posted **Nov 8, 2014, 3:41 AM**

Mewata Armoury! That's my vote. Imagine how cool West End will be with a new art gallery, a brand new arena and a farmers market. Talk about a major revitalization to the area.

Spring2008 · #**186** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 2:49 PM**

Cgy top hotel growth. Would be nice to see downtown keep up with the airport area though. Marriott needs to get going with its Beltline projects!

http://calgaryherald.com/business/commer...pply-growth-to-be-best-in-canada-in-2015

Spring2008 · #**187** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 3:04 PM**

7.5 million visitors in 2013 with $1.6B in spending, up from $900M in 2006. Spending forecasted to hit $2.3B by 2020.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Calgar...ms+2013+despite+flood/9350220/story.html

Surrealplaces · #**188** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 3:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spring2008

Cgy top hotel growth. Would be nice to see downtown keep up with the airport area though. Marriott needs to get going with its Beltline projects!

http://calgaryherald.com/business/commer...pply-growth-to-be-best-in-canada-in-2015

Agree. A few more downtown hotels would be nice. When they say there are 3 hotels under construction downtown, I wonder which ones they mean?

suburbia · #**189** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 5:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spring2008

Cgy top hotel growth. Would be nice to see downtown keep up with the airport area though. Marriott needs to get going with its Beltline projects!

http://calgaryherald.com/business/commer...pply-growth-to-be-best-in-canada-in-2015

I've highlighted that the cluster of hotels around the airport and NE in general is as large or large than the core. The reality is, people like to stay closer to where they work, and that's why there are not more hotels in the downtown. Business visitors need to remain where it is most convenient.

Airport trail will be interesting to watch over the next decade, and then Aurora soon after.

Bokimon · #**190** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 6:07 PM**

We need a theme park that is catered to the adults like a 6 flags or Canada's Wonderland West! Calaway park is themed just for kids and it does not do nearly enough!

DizzyEdge · #**191** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 6:37 PM**

or at least somewhere in Alberta. I'd be ok with Red Deer, to get both Calgary and Edmonton daytrippers

googspecial · #**192** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 6:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bokimon

We need a theme park that is catered to the adults like a 6 flags or Canada's Wonderland West! Calaway park is themed just for kids and it does not do nearly enough!

Would be great to see a major expansion at Calaway park for this cater to all age groups. Or a nice big new one out by the new race track at Balzac.

But is there the population to support this? Certainly people from Red Deer, Lethbridge, and maybe Edmonton would come to it on weekends in the summer.... Is that enough?

Spring2008 · #**193** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 8:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburbia

I've highlighted that the cluster of hotels around the airport and NE in general is as large or large than the core. The reality is, people like to stay closer to where they work, and that's why there are not more hotels in the downtown. Business visitors need to remain where it is most convenient.

Airport trail will be interesting to watch over the next decade, and then Aurora soon after.

Way more business downtown than the NE.

More hotels will keep rising in the NE because proximity to the airport, cheaper rates and free parking. Lot of those hotels prob offer shuttle service to downtown too. This happens in all big cities. Downtown can still absorb more hotels, article mentions a big shortage.

suburbia · #**194** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 10:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spring2008

Way more business downtown than the NE.

More hotels will keep rising in the NE because proximity to the airport, cheaper rates and free parking. Lot of those hotels prob offer shuttle service to downtown too. This happens in all big cities. Downtown can still absorb more hotels, article mentions a big shortage.

Agreed that all things even, developers are putting more hotels in the NE as compared to the core.

While it is interesting speculation, I can tell you for certain that hotels in the NE, by vast majority, do not offer shuttles to DT.

lubicon · #**195** Posted **Apr 17, 2015, 5:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburbia

Agreed that all things even, developers are putting more hotels in the NE as compared to the core.

While it is interesting speculation, I can tell you for certain that hotels in the NE, by vast majority, do not offer shuttles to DT.

Why would they? Airport - sure, but DT I just don't see a market for it. If a guest has business DT they are probably staying downtown. If they are staying in the NE they probably did not come here to be DT.

lineman · #**196** Posted **Apr 17, 2015, 6:11 PM**

There are many who visit this City on business that don't go downtown. I'm sure the NE hotels serve them too.

lubicon · #**197** Posted **Apr 17, 2015, 6:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lineman

There are many who visit this City on business that don't go downtown. I'm sure the NE hotels serve them too.

That's what I said. And they don't need a shuttle DT.

Bokimon · #**198** Posted **Apr 17, 2015, 6:23 PM**

Red Deer area for a new theme park would be awesome. Alberta having almost 4 million people living is more than enough to accommodate a complete theme park resort. Add in support for BC and Saskatchewan folks, this can work.
Even Sylvan Lake would be an awesome location, tie it in with Wild Rapids..Amazing sauce!

Right now the only option is Silverwood all the way down in Idaho and apparently their catchment is much less than our region and they are thriving. Not to mention all the various waterslide parks around the Idaho/Montana area.

DizzyEdge · #**199** Posted **Apr 17, 2015, 6:56 PM**

Good call on Sylvan Lake. 20 min drive from downtown Red Deer. (and potentially from a future HSR line station)

Riise · #**200** Posted **Apr 17, 2015, 9:37 PM**

While a theme park would probably be even more fun than I imagine, I can understand the lack of investors queuing up to build one. I'd be interested in the small attractions that other cities/regions are creating to boost tourism.

Earlier this week I was at a planning conference and an economic advisor stated that economic development usually focuses 80% on attraction and 20% on retention. Despite all this effort on attraction, relocations aren't that prevalent and a reversal of the ratio could be greatly beneficial. With the aid of Banff, Calgary draws a large amount of tourists. I wonder if it might be better if we focused on those who already come and attempt to extent their stays and generate return trips.