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
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.