| News plans for expanded commercial development in the Evan Thomas Provincial Recreation Area of Kananaskis Country should be scrapped, say three environmental groups.
The provincial government recently released a draft management plan for the area after consulting with the public. The plan calls for the expansion of the Nakiska Ski Area and summer use of the hill, along with new commercial development and expansion of existing facilities, such as the Delta and Kananaskis Lodges.
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Alberta Wilderness Association and Wildcanada.net say the Evan Thomas alluvial fan, where Evan Thomas Creek meets the Kananaskis River, is one of the most important regions for wildlife in Kananaskis Country, providing habitat for wolves, grizzly bears, moose and bighorn sheep. It is also the most developed area in the 4,200 square kilometre region, with a ski hill, three hotels, a guest ranch and a hostel.
The groups are asking the government to expand the provincial parks and wildlands surrounding the area to protect it from further commercial development.
The province is accepting public input on the draft management plan, which is available for viewing on its Web site (www.cd.gov.ab.ca/enjoying_alberta/parks/featured/kananaskis/management.asp).
A bridge expansion pursued by residents of the deep south and opposed by communities further north got the go-ahead from city council on December 16.
Council approved an additional $7.9 million for the bridge on 37th Street S.W. over a narrow section of Fish Creek Park – $25 million has already been approved. The extra money will allow for a widening of the bridge and the adjoining sections of 37th Street, and will accommodate future expansion to eight lanes.
Council voted eight to seven to approve the bridge expansion.
Calgary’s anti-smoking bylaw was finalized by city council on December 18, after months of debate.
The bylaw will see smoking gradually phased out in an increasing number of public places, and by January 1, 2008, no smoking will be allowed in any public area. Under the first phase, which starts March 1, smoking will be banned on C-Train platforms and in doorways of public buildings.
One of the most contentious aspects of the bylaw is smoking restrictions in restaurants. As of March 1, owners must decide if their establishments will be smoking, non-smoking or both. Smoking and non-smoking areas must be confined to separate rooms and children are banned from smoking areas.
Orchestra might strike up the band again after a new sustainable business model was approved by the CPO board on December 12.
Funding to the tune of $1.5 million must still be secured to implement the renewal and restructuring plan, but if successful, the CPO will soon be playing throughout the city, not just at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, in order to reach a greater number of Calgarians.
The business plan was made possible due to a new revenue-sharing agreement that brings musicians’ base salaries down, but will allow them to make up the difference if the orchestra is successful in balancing its budget. The musicians also agreed not to demand compensation owed to them for time spent on hiatus this fall.
The CPO is proceeding carefully and is currently negotiating with public and private funders. A big boost was received on December 17 when city council agreed to provide $250,000 to the CPO.
For more information, see the Web site at www.cpo-live.com.
Transit rides on Christmas Day will be free-of-charge this year, but there may not be many people to take advantage of the offer. The city has decided to drop the fee for using transit on December 25, but will operate at reduced service levels because ridership that day is normally very low. |
