Last Edmonton festival wraps up ahead of 3-year Hawrelak Park closure – Edmonton | 24CA News

Many Edmontonians had been having fun with Silver Skate Festival at Hawrelak Park on Monday, because the winter pageant wraps up on Family Day.

It may even be the final pageant on this a part of the river valley for a while, because the park is closing for 3 years in order that in depth rehabilitation work could be executed.

Silver Skate is one in every of many Edmonton festivals and occasions which have needed to search for a brand new house. It might be relocating simply throughout the river to Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park.

“We’re so excited to showcase another jewel of the river valley,” mentioned Silver Skate govt producer Erin DiLoreto, “a stupendous park that doesn’t actually get a whole lot of occasion love.

“So we get to test the waters and see what that looks like. It’s an opportunity to step out of the comfort of Hawrelak and try things different.”

After 17 years at Hawrelak, DiLoreto will miss the unique location however is wanting ahead to the much-needed adjustments.

“I hope that the work that needs to get done to Hawrelak Park gets done in a thoughtful and smart manner.”

1:44220 bushes to be minimize down in Hawrelak Park as a part of rehabilitation mission

“Our stance has always been that there is work that needs to be done to Hawrelak,” she mentioned. “There’s some necessary infrastructure work that needs to be done… There’s no Wi-Fi here. I can’t even bring a banking machine in.”

DiLoreto hasn’t seen the ultimate designs for the park however says her prime priorities could be security, the ring street, transportation plan, signage, energy, web, upgrades to the amphitheatre and 1954 kitchen amenities.

“Moving into the 21st Century and doing some great things that need to be done,” DiLoreto mentioned.

“I love Hawrelak Park. I believe that Hawrelak Park is probably the jewel of the river valley,” she added. “I just hope they don’t change it too much.”

Other festivals that normally name Hawrelak house are discovering different venues, DiLoreto mentioned, just like the Exhibition Lands, Borden Park and Remax Field.

Hawrelak will formally shut on March 13.

1:51Festivals have questions on adjustments coming to Hawrelak Park

“I didn’t hear about it until we got here today,” mentioned Linda Lee, who was having fun with the park along with her household. They take pleasure in it in all seasons, she mentioned.

“I love how open it is, how big it is. It’s nice in the summers (too). We just come here and relax.”

Stefan Lee was unhappy to listen to of the three-year closure.

“It’s a pretty big park. There’s a lot of festivals that go on, like Heritage Days. We enjoy it, we come every year… It has a big rink surface. It’s fun for the kids. It’ll definitely be missed. This year we’ve come a few times for the skating.”

“We’ll make do,” Linda added. “I guess we don’t have a choice.”

Alexie Jara sees each side of the coin.

“I think that’s really sad but I think it’s a beautiful start to go somewhere else, try new things, maybe bring more people in,” she mentioned.

“I think it’ll be very nice to relocate, but it’ll be really sad to see another legacy close down for a while.”

1:58Potential years-long closure of Hawrelak Park issues Edmonton festivals

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