Iconic Old Strathcona Farmers' Market to get long-awaited upgrades
Whatever a farmers' market connoisseur wants, the Old Strathcona market usually has.
Since it was transformed from a bus barn in 1983, the market along 83 Avenue has become the go-to location for grocery shoppers focused on buying local in central Edmonton.
The only thing missing has been upgrades to the market's infrastructure. But that will soon change as a major modernization is in the works.
"We deal with 127 businesses under this roof. Everybody needs to know we’re not going to shut the facility down during renovations," says Keith Persaud, the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market manager.
After two years of planning and community engagement, the market has announced Clark Builders as the contractor entrusted with providing a dollar amount for the much-needed improvements. Then the process will begin to find funding for the project from government and private sources.
“We need it to be here for the next 40 years, we are an icon in the community, and in order for us to be AHS-compliant moving forward, we have to renovate,” added Persaud.
That means proper hand-washing sinks along with upgraded sewage lines and other infrastructure improvements in order to become what Persaud hopes is a multi-day market.
“We want to open up Friday and Saturdays, we want to activate the building seven days a week with a general store, a food kiosk out front, so the community can use it for corporate, social and community events, make the building active."
The hope is that the shopping experience won’t be affected while the needed improvements such as HVAC work on the roof, LED lighting installation and co-ed bathroom renovations get underway.
“We want to keep the eclectic nature of the market, it's not cookie cutter,” says Persaud.
If all goes well with funding, main construction will begin early in 2023. And along with keeping customers comfortable, the market understands its many vendors must be able to stay open and viable.
And true to its unique stature as a weekend magnet for thousands, the modernization will happen in a unique manner, meaning no dust filled areas thanks to new technology.
Persaud hopes the full construction could be finished by the fall of next year to coincide with the market's 40th anniversary.
“There’s a few secrets that we are planning such as a rooftop garden with bees…I think you will be impressed.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadians feel grocery inflation getting worse, two in five boycotting Loblaw: poll
Almost two-thirds of Canadians feel that inflation at the grocery store is getting worse, a new poll suggests, even as food inflation has been steadily cooling.
NEW How to remove ticks and what to know about these bloodsuckers
Ticks are parasitic bloodsuckers, capable of spreading deadly disease, and they’re becoming increasingly common. Here’s what you need to know about them.
opinion Joe Biden uses bully pulpit to bully Donald Trump on debates
Donald Trump had spent weeks needling U.S. President Joe Biden for his refusal to commit to a debate. But Washington political columnist Eric Ham describes how in one fell swoop, Biden ingeniously stole the issue from the Trump campaign and made it his own.
Norway, Ireland and Spain say they are recognizing a Palestinian state in a historic move
Norway, Ireland and Spain said on Wednesday they are recognizing a Palestinian state, in a historic but largely symbolic move that deepens Israel’s isolation more than seven months into its grinding war against Hamas in Gaza.
Ontario mother loses $2,500 to text scammer pretending to be daughter
An Ontario mother lost $2,500 to a scammer pretending to be her daughter asking for help in late April.
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.