WinterCity Winter Life Contest
WinterCity Winter Life Contest Winners
Congratulations to Sherrilyn Jahrig and Caitlin Fleming, the two top winners of the Winter Life Contest hosted by Global Edmonton! Sherrilyn won $1000 cash (generously donated by Stantec) and Caitlin won a $500 gift certificate to Kingsway Mall.
Sherrilyn Jahrig's Winning Idea
This idea is simple - I call it 'Winter Nest' for now and thought of it during the symposium. The City brings fun and funding to the communities and the communities give back.
Through EFCL the City assists each community to confirm a location in which they are able (legally) to host/construct a winter-play event or display. This could be a 'new' winter game, new world record for…, ice or snow sculpture, silly hockey party, star party or whatever talent / skill / motivation the community has. ~200 community leagues divided by 10 weeks of snowy possibility = 20 destinations a week to be highlighted by Edmonton media. Probably too many - but we know that wouldn't happen overnight!
Communities could also collaborate. In the trial year, communities could apply to lessen numbers, but the final goal would be that communities were all well aware that they had this winter op every year.
The project could begin through the Great Neighbourhoods program - or, using a portion of the savings per community in Neighbourhood Renewals (12 per year) through LED lighting savings (~$4,300 per community = $51,000), each community would receive some money and/or assistance for their winter project . Part of the funds could go toward providing programming from a Winter City 'snow team' of winter recreation, design/construction, lighting/lantern artists, roving theatre, story-tellers and supervisors. Constructing an artistic windbreak or 'nest' for the winter 'party' or community installation in chosen communities (could be Neighbourhood renewal ones) could also give a thematic design element to our City.
A one-off Winter Festival that also highlighted community projects could function as an award ceremony for 'Winter Community Projects-of-the-Year'. Lots more ideas and details on this have come to mind and I would be happy to work on such a project.
Caitlin Fleming's Winning Idea
My idea isn't dramatic, but I believe will enable Edmontonians the chance to better utilize the activities that the city has already put in place. By having cross-country and snow-shoe rentals available at prime locations near or on the River Valley trails, residents who don't own this equipment, or residents who don't have their own vehicle to pick up rentals at retails outlets (such as MEC) will be better able to enjoy the paths and routes already set up by the city.
This idea stems from a visit I made to Vancouver, where bike and rollerblade rentals are available from small seasonal huts that are set up on the Seawall. Because of the location of the rentals, tourist and residents alike are able to better enjoy activities on the Seawall.
For More Information
WinterCity Strategy
| Telephone | 780-496-3664 |
|---|---|
| wintercity@edmonton.ca |
