What will Edmonton look like in 2017 if we host a Worlds’ Fair?
Eight years may seem a long way off but when it comes to committing billions of dollars to projects and infrastructure it is not. Planning, putting out for proposals, reviewing and then actually building the myriad of buildings, roads and transportation links takes time. Rome was not built in a day and making Edmonton “World Expo” ready cannot happen overnight either.
So let us time travel into Edmonton 2017 with the start of Edmonton WF 2017 starting on May 1. What does Edmonton look like?
Landing at the newly opened terminal at the Edmonton International Airport was easy and fast with so many choices of flights and airlines to pick from, the hardest thing was not being blinded by how sparkling and fresh everything was in the terminal. Once you picked up your luggage from the baggage carousel you decided to take the LRT right to the Worlds’ Fair site and even though the official kick off is a couple of days away the WF station is open and fully functional. You marvel how rapid Edmonton’s Light Rail Transit is—it seems you arrived at the station in mere moments—with no connections required. Still you resolve to check out the Anthony Henday Freeway, which you have heard is an engineering and driving wonder on your return trip to that fantastic Edmonton International Airport.
Deciding to hold off exploring the site until the official opening ceremonies, you are nonetheless awestruck by what you see before you at the WF station and eagerly look forward to seeing all the charms the site so blatantly promises. You are staying downtown so you hop back on the LRT and head towards your hotel but not before you noticed signs for the WEM station and decide that a trip to this “indoor wonder” will be in the offing in the next couple of days.
You arrive at your hotel in no time and are astonished to see so many professional and courteous staff eager to make your stay as effortless and enjoyable in the “Edmonton way”. Check-in is quick. Dropping your bags off in the well-appointed hotel room before heading out to eat you stop off at the concierge for recommendations. The choices are a myriad of ethnic or local cuisine…but deciding that a local landmark will be your first Edmonton dining experience you head off to the historic Fairmont Hotel MacDonald.
On your short walk to the “Mac” (as it is affectionately referred to by Edmontonians) you are struck by how clean and “dressed up” downtown Edmonton looks. Crossing Jasper Avenue (which you have been told is the main street for Edmonton); you note all the welcoming banners and the displays that line the surrounding streets and buildings. This city really knows how to throw an event you think. Jasper Avenue is alive with people and there is something happening everywhere you pass.
You know this is going to be a fantastic three months for you, Canada and Alberta but mostly for the Greater Edmonton Area. You are glad Edmonton had the foresight to bid for (and subsequently win!) such an event and you are proud of the growth and fortitude this scrappy city has shown, now about that meal…
By Debra Ward
Edmonton EXPO 2017 where the World will be!
http://edmontonambassador.wordpress.com
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