In 1968 during amalgamation of the Armed Forces, RCAF Station Namao was renamed Canadian Forces Base Edmonton. During the Cold War RCAF Station Namao was used by the United States Strategic Air Command, which constructed a “Nose Dock” capable of servicing the nose and wings of heavy jet bombers and tankers on the south side of the airfield. The station also hosted the Edmonton Rescue Coordination Centre, and served as home base for United Nations Food Aid flights, delivering much-needed aid to Ethiopia, Somalia, and Bosnia. Because Namao at that time had a 4,200-metre (13,780 ft) runway, 12/30, it was a designated an emergency Space Shuttle landing site by NASA.
Edmonton, Alberta is located astride the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. The provincial capital is Canada’s sixth largest city and is often referred to as “Gateway to the North”. Edmonton also holds the title “Canada’s Festival City” as it celebrates a wide range of culture, music, theatre, visual arts and sports. The City of Edmonton’s 2001 population increased by 49,800 since the 1996 census. Migration figures are not available at the municipal level but data for the Edmonton CMA (census metropolitan area), shows that 63% of the CMA’s increase was from net-migration with 37% from natural increase.
With over a million people, Greater Edmonton offers all the convenience and choice of a big city in an environment of open spaces and fresh air. We’re proud of our clean, safe neighbourhoods. Lower average house prices mean people here are able to own a home at a younger age than in other Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. Taxes are lower here, too.
Edmonton bills itself as a place for entrepreneurs. The municipal government has put many plans in place to aid the people of Edmonton. The Municipal Development Plan (MDP), “The Way We Grow,” is the City’s strategic growth and development plan. Through its MDP, the City of Edmonton will shape the city’s urban form and direct the development and implementation of more detailed plans.
There are four main hospitals serving Edmonton: University of Alberta Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Misericordia Community Hospital, and Grey Nuns Community Hospital.[180] Other area hospitals include Sturgeon Community Hospital in St. Albert, Leduc Community Hospital in Leduc, Westview Health Centre in Stony Plain, and Fort Saskatchewan Health Centre in Fort Saskatchewan. Dedicated psychiatric care is provided at the Alberta Hospital. All hospitals are under the administration of Alberta Health Services, although Misericordia and Grey Nuns are run separately by the Covenant Health.
Sport Fans will be delighted by seeing a home game of the Edmonton Oilers at Northlands Coliseum during ice-hockey season (October to April). The Commonwealth Stadium is home to the Edmonton Eskimos, who play CFL football from July to October. If you are more into baseball, try a game of the Edmonton Trappers (Pacific Coast Baseball League) at Telus Park (April to August). Cycling and hiking enthusiasts will be thrilled by the city’s vast network of park trails that are ideal for cross-country skiing in winter.
The Royal Bank of Canada predicts that Alberta’s rate of growth – four per cent this year and 3.9 per cent in 2012 – will outpace all provinces except Saskatchewan. “Oilsands megaprojects will continue to generate tremendous economic activity and will be a boon to Alberta’s economy for years to come,” says RBC chief economist Craig Wright.
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