Rant from Toronto on Skyscraper Forum - incl Vic Comp renos

EdmTrekker · 27-09-2006, 10:45 PM

Today, 07:35 PM
JerryK
Registered User Join Date: May 2006
Location: Edmonton/Toronto
Posts: 88

As I sit here in Toronto working on a project, no matter at what location I might be at, I read both papers online, and when time permitting, most forums. I don’t have to elaborate on the monumental and unparalleled ******** I still hear from Edmonton city council because you guys are all over it. But WTF, Edmonton city counsel scales back express buses? Alberta Government scales back an institution “Victoria Composite” that will provide the emerging downtown core with more options for new families to relocate to the area. Do they think the population is going down in Edmonton.

DanC · 27-09-2006, 10:59 PM

Seriously, what is going on with vic comp? Now the article in the Journal is saying room for 700 students in permanent buildings and room for 500 in modular classrooms. Exactly what I want to see, a bunch of friggin trailers parked in a grass field...so much for it being "Juliard North," now its just going to be the joke of the north, or eye sore or mediocrity double plus good.
BUILD IT RIGHT OR TEAR IT DOWN AND SELL IT.

Sonic Death Monkey · 28-09-2006, 07:48 PM

That's what we get for having our government in Calgary. They get more new schools built, E-town schools just get a bunch of renos.

I think Vic Comp could use some major donations for the renovations so it has the grandness and prestige it deserves. Hell, it already has Hollywood connections with that director Hiller, not to mention Sam Shepherd when he visited the school while filming that Brad Pitt film.

Fleogan · 28-09-2006, 09:05 PM

What is going on? Mayor Mandel seems to be getting close to a panic state. Is the city running out of operating funds? Does Mayor and council really have control of the operations and funds? Have they ever?

RichardS · 29-09-2006, 08:16 AM

...something's up for sure. There are more than a few project changes that make me go WHAT???

I can see some effect from the spiralling costs from the hyperinflation in construction labour, but HUH?

MylesC · 29-09-2006, 08:00 PM

I think that the Vic situation is more complicated then we know about. It has been going on for years and started as a reno, went to demolition and new construction and now who knows what.

Further, Edmonton didn't scale back on express buses. That assumes we have some :P

Dusty Bear · 02-10-2006, 02:32 PM

MylesC is right, the Vic school issue is complicated. The province originally announced grand plans to turn it into Juliard North, then cut the funding when revenue temporarily tumbled in 2002.

I don't know what's happened since, but I'd venture a guess that school board and provincial priorities got shuffled, leaving Vic behind. Which is a damn freakin' shame, if you ask me.

On express buses, the city's transit department unveiled great plans for an express system with dedicated lanes, but it was sandbagged by NIMBY concerns. I remember Allan Bolstad being chief among the critics, ironic considering he's the type (i.e. lefty) who should have been supportive of transit expansion.

RichardS · 12-10-2006, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edmonton Journal

Why the delay in school renos?

The Edmonton Journal
Published: Thursday, October 12, 2006
The Victoria School for the Visual and Performing Arts has been identified as one of Edmonton's most dilapidated schools for seven years!

Why has it taken so long to rebuild it? I chalk it up to lack of leadership.

Where was our provincial education minister seven years ago? Why did our school board not make this a priority? The building is an embarrassment to all citizens who provide substantial tax dollars to our government to act as stewards in these matters.

So now my daughter, who is in Grade 7, will have to endure school construction until Grade 11 -- 85 per cent of her school life will have been spent in a wreck of a school.

My outrage is tempered in knowing that, despite operating in the worst facility of any in Edmonton in which to educate children, the superior staff and the program of education at Victoria School is second to none -- and that is what really counts.

Kevin N. MacMillen, Edmonton

27-09-2006, 10:45 PM	#1
EdmTrekker Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton, Downtown Core	Rant from Toronto on Skyscraper Forum - incl Vic Comp renos Today, 07:35 PM JerryK Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edmonton/Toronto Posts: 88 As I sit here in Toronto working on a project, no matter at what location I might be at, I read both papers online, and when time permitting, most forums. I don’t have to elaborate on the monumental and unparalleled ******** I still hear from Edmonton city council because you guys are all over it. But WTF, Edmonton city counsel scales back express buses? Alberta Government scales back an institution “Victoria Composite” that will provide the emerging downtown core with more options for new families to relocate to the area. Do they think the population is going down in Edmonton.

27-09-2006, 10:59 PM	#2
DanC Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Strathearn, Edmonton	Seriously, what is going on with vic comp? Now the article in the Journal is saying room for 700 students in permanent buildings and room for 500 in modular classrooms. Exactly what I want to see, a bunch of friggin trailers parked in a grass field...so much for it being "Juliard North," now its just going to be the joke of the north, or eye sore or mediocrity double plus good. BUILD IT RIGHT OR TEAR IT DOWN AND SELL IT. __________________ Thinks density = vibrancy...crazy I know.

29-09-2006, 08:16 AM	#5
RichardS C2E Junkie * Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	...something's up for sure. There are more than a few project changes that make me go WHAT??? I can see some effect from the spiralling costs from the hyperinflation in construction labour, but HUH? __________________ Everywhere I go, I've been slandered, Libeled, I've heard words I've never heard in the Bible - and I am so tired. Simon and Garfunkel "Keep the customer satisfied" Yup, that about sums it up.

28-09-2006, 07:48 PM	#3
Sonic Death Monkey Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Downtown	That's what we get for having our government in Calgary. They get more new schools built, E-town schools just get a bunch of renos. I think Vic Comp could use some major donations for the renovations so it has the grandness and prestige it deserves. Hell, it already has Hollywood connections with that director Hiller, not to mention Sam Shepherd when he visited the school while filming that Brad Pitt film.

28-09-2006, 09:05 PM	#4
Fleogan First One is Always Free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sherwood Park	What is going on? Mayor Mandel seems to be getting close to a panic state. Is the city running out of operating funds? Does Mayor and council really have control of the operations and funds? Have they ever?

29-09-2006, 08:00 PM	#6
MylesC Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles; Athens	I think that the Vic situation is more complicated then we know about. It has been going on for years and started as a reno, went to demolition and new construction and now who knows what. Further, Edmonton didn't scale back on express buses. That assumes we have some :P

02-10-2006, 02:32 PM	#7
Dusty Bear Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	MylesC is right, the Vic school issue is complicated. The province originally announced grand plans to turn it into Juliard North, then cut the funding when revenue temporarily tumbled in 2002. I don't know what's happened since, but I'd venture a guess that school board and provincial priorities got shuffled, leaving Vic behind. Which is a damn freakin' shame, if you ask me. On express buses, the city's transit department unveiled great plans for an express system with dedicated lanes, but it was sandbagged by NIMBY concerns. I remember Allan Bolstad being chief among the critics, ironic considering he's the type (i.e. lefty) who should have been supportive of transit expansion.