Calgary Minute: Water Stations, Commonwealth Games, and a Technology Integration Centre

Calgary Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Calgary politics

This Week In Calgary:

• There are no Council or Committee meetings this week, on account of summer vacation.
  
  
• The Calgary Public Library is seeing an increase in users, with material circulation and renewals up by nearly 50%. The Library credits their fine-free model for the increase - they stopped charging fines after July 2020 and forgave all fines that had already accrued. Outstanding fines only made up a small part of the Library’s budget, and the Library Foundation has covered most of that lost revenue through donations.
  
  
• The Calgary Zoo is mourning the loss of its 12-year-old lion, Aslan. Behavioural changes, along with a previous cardiac and kidney disease, led to an exam under anesthesia, and Aslan died during recovery from the exam. This is the third large animal death at the zoo in the last few months - Emara the giraffe and Ollie the camel died in May and July, respectively.

Last Week In Calgary:

• The Province put an end to a potential bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, citing the potential burden to taxpayers. Mayor Jyoti Gondek said that, while Calgary will not be hosting these games, the City hasn’t ruled out hosting other major sporting events. As long as she doesn’t think Calgary taxpayers are going to foot the bill! We formed the No Alberta 2030 Group with our friends at the Alberta Institute and Common Sense Edmonton back when this bid was first being explored, and we're thrilled to see a win for common sense. Thanks to everyone who signed our No Taxpayer Funding For Commonwealth Games petition.
  
  
• The City announced the installation of six water stations along busy walkways. The water stations are part of a pilot project and include a drinking fountain, water bottle filling station, a pet water fountain, and misters. Locations include west of Reconciliation Bridge, near Tomkins Park, the south side of Shaw Millennium Park, near the Provincial courthouse, near the Hudson’s Bay Building downtown, and one yet-to-be-determined location. Apparently, supply chain issues delayed the installation of the stations, and they’ll only be available until September, weather permitting.
  
  
• The federal government announced $3.1 million in funding for a Technology Integration Centre in vacant downtown office space, as well as $3 million for Calgary Economic Development to help attract foreign investment and improve business retention. The Technology Integration Centre will help local businesses to test, refine, and showcase their technologies, as well as connect to one of the fastest supercomputers in Canada. Calgary Economic Development will use their portion of the funding for a new international student recruitment program, international missions to promote Calgary, and the creation of new business development tools.

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