The Hockey Gods Have Smiled on Edmonton

Frankly, I was surprised by the outcome following the Edmonton City council vote to get into the arena business again. Yes, again because they are already part owners of an arena or would be in line to inherit the building if Northlands, the current operators should ever shut down then Rexall Place title would revert back to the City of Edmonton. Would they then turn over use to the Edmonton Oil Kings?

You're probably wondering where I came up with this notion. Its really quite simple. Northlands is the child of the Edmonton Exhibition Association and prior to that it was the Edmonton Agricultural Society who used to operate a race track or course as they called them in the good old days, down in the river valley where Renfrew Park - oops Telus Field sits today. The founders of that original Ag Society decided they needed more room to build things. Things like a livestock show palace where local producers could show off their animals and their grains and produce because the Edmonton area used to grow amazing crops. (It now only seems to grow more subdivisions and acreages and big box malls. (I digress). Oh,. And, perhaps a place to play hockey indoors.

Beginnings (1879-1899)

The roots of Northlands Park took hold when various individuals assembled themselves to create an organization through which the town of Edmonton and its surrounding communities could make their agricultural and horticultural capabilities visible to the public. 
The preceding paragraph was borrowed from Northlands own historical website: Early Northlands History

With plans in hand they trudged up the hill from the river valley looking for a level piece of land to build on.  Strange thing, developers had already beaten them to it and had most of the land tied up for new housing developments for a growing city.  Not to be deterred they found a bargain piece of land just northeast of the Rat Creek Ravine on the western edge of the Highlands and Ada Boulevard already contained some pretty posh mansions overlooking Edmonton's spectacular river valley.

With a burgeoning population, comes garbage and where do you suppose they put it? Into a low piece of and just north of what is now 111 avenue east of 82nd street. Aha the Ag board thought we can pick land up cheaply, add some fill, level it out and we can build our fair grounds and Agricultural Emporium.  This was in 1910 and the City administration not wanting to miss out on an opportunity to promote the area to new Canadians purchased the land and "the City of Edmonton set out terms for a lease whereby the land would be rented by the EEA (Edmonton Exhibition Association) at a nominal fee of $1 CDN a year. The association, which undoubtedly benefited from this open-ended arrangement, accepted the generous terms. With the stability of land tenancy, the organization could now strive to expand without inordinate risk." (from Northlands history Edmonton)

(At this point I must let you know that I'm paraphrasing this story to move it along. Exactness of detail is not relevant because, well, this story is just to give you an idea about how the area was developed and how the City became a partner.)

Edmonton Gardens from City of Edmonton Archives

Now to continue. the Ag Board had grand ideas and hatched a plan to build a grand arena for the display of all things farmey. The final outcome was the Edmonton Gardens an amazing building for its time that stood for many years and served the public well. In fact, it was so well built that when they brought in a demolition company to bring it down, the dynamite set in strategic locations in the building went off as planned and it only ruffled the feathers of a few pigeons who had nested in the higher regions of the building. It took quite awhile for the company to bring the old girl down and I'm not sure they made any money on the deal.

Northlands Coliseum (Rexall Place) courtesy of the Edmonton Journal

To quickly conclude this story, the Coliseum was built and hockey was moved from the Gardens to the new building north of Alberta Avenue. Through all this time the City has had representation on the board of the Northlands so should be well aware that they are competing against themselves with the New Downtown Arena. No matter though because we have to appease the developers who have a dieing city centre after dark and a billionaire plus needs a place to park his hockey toys.

Oh, and there was talk that the Province of Alberta might throw some money into the deal after all and yet our Premier Allison Redford and our Minister of Finance Doug Horner is telling us that the budget they gave us not that long ago is just not going to meet expectations and that there should be a tightening of belts all round. As has been said, basing a budget solely on the vagaries of the petroleum market place is shaky science at best. It will be interesting to see where this extra 100 Million comes from because it sure isn't coming from the main beneficiaries of this new edifice.
Have a lovely week. Dave

Will the NHL Agreement Meet Your Needs?

At 5 a.m. this morning, January 6, 2013 the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) finally concluded their 113 day discussions with an agreement to end the lock-out/ strike that has affected more people than all of them put together can even count.

Oh, each of these partners in the negotiations will survive, and go on to live lives of luxury most of us can only dream about. The travesty here is that it was all about lining their pockets and ensuring that they will be looked after in their dotage or should I say doughtage (my word) where they'll now have a defined pension. You would think that after making XXX millions of dollars each year that they would have put together some sort of plan to build their own nest egg. Hell, the average citizen manages to do that on a lot less annual income, why can't they.

I got off track a little bit there because the real story here is that over the past 113 days plus/minus, who has the NHL lock-out/strike hurt? Directly, it has affected the many people who work in the arenas where these folks play! Think about the young people who have some ambition to get ahead and take a job working in the parking lots, or the gates or the concessions or food services or security to name a few. Not just young people but maybe single parents or seniors who are trying to make ends meet with a part time job. What have they lost, never to get back with a fancy new contract for 10 years or eight if your just not happy. Give me a break.

There are others in the widening circle of support for these playboys and their billionaire owners that are affected as well. There's the suppliers to these arenas for food, cleaning supplies, signs, and toilet paper. Or how about the people who put the ice in and paint the markings and maintain the ice in pristine condition so these darlings have the best.

The good will that has been destroyed will take a long time to repair. How will the new product (tic) be any better than the old one? Will youngsters still gaze with starry eyes on their heroes? Will dad or mom even be able to afford to take them to the rink and then afford the expensive food when they get there? These are questions that will soon be answered as these princes of the puck make their way back to their respective rinks in a much shortened season.

Another question begs to be answered. When are they going to get rid of Gary Bettman which many media pundits are saying should have happened a long time ago. Here is a guy that was so dictatorial that they had to bring in another mediator to get the job done. Here is a guy that has spent so much time building markets in marginal hockey territory where hockey takes a back seat to baseball, football and basketball that other teams in real hockey territory have to support them with a $300 Million dollar equalization payment.  I think its time for him to go.

I think its also time to think about the value of what they are presenting and start to care for the folks that pay for the tickets that keep them in business. I don't deny them a very good salary after all they are the elite of their sport, the best of the best.

I'm thinking though that all these folks could take a lesson from the proving ground where they all started - Minor hockey, where they play for the love of the game.

Will Common Sense Return in the NEW YEAR?

An Obituary printed in the London Times - Interesting and sadly rather true (this was passed on to me by and old friend and I thought I'd share it with you.)

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and Maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority.

For Resolution ideas just click on the greeting below. Enjoy!
Happy New Year 2013!