Valour Avenue opens
A county road got a bit more valorous this week as officials unveiled its new name in a tribute to the soldiers on Canadian Forces Base Edmonton.
County, provincial, federal and military officials will gather at the corner of 195 Avenue and Range Road 244 today to unveil a new street sign. As of this week, the portion of 195 Avenue between Highway 28 and Edmonton will be known as Valour Avenue.
The name change is the result of a council decision made last year, said county spokesperson Calli Stromner. The county had planned to rebuild the road for about $11.2 million to accommodate future traffic from Anthony Henday Drive, and held a contest at the garrison's Guthrie School to rename it. The students came up with three ideas, from which a panel picked Valour Avenue. (The alternatives were Soldier's Passage and Remembrance Road.)
The county has just finished its work on the road, which is one of the main entrances to the garrison, said Mayor Don Rigney, which is why it's holding the naming ceremony now.
"The base is a huge component in the community," he said, and council wanted to show its appreciation to the men and women on it. "We sleep well in our beds at night because of the professionalism, courage and bravery of the armed forces."
Valour is an appropriate name, said base spokesperson Capt. Derrick Forsythe, as it's timeless and encompasses a value found throughout the armed forces. "It signifies that ongoing strong relationship that the base has with the county," he said.
Morinville gets fit
Morinville residents will have a chance to get fit and have fun — potentially for free — next week at the town's second annual Active Living Fair.
About 48 businesses, sports teams and activity groups will be at the town's Community Cultural Centre on Sept. 8 to talk about how to keep active in Morinville, said Melonie Dziwenka, the town's recreation co-ordinator. "We have a lot of people who move into our community," she said, and this fair is meant to help them hook up with local fitness groups.
About 200 people are expected to come out to talk with local health businesses and see demonstrations of sports like karate and dance, Dziwenka said. "Here's a chance [for residents] to actually connect with those groups."
It'll also be a chance to score some free sports equipment. The town will hold its second annual equipment swap during the fair, said organizer Tyler Edworthy.
"Going through a lot of sports as a kid myself," he said, "I know the cost of equipment can be very high." The swap is meant to give people a chance to sell or give away any extra sports equipment they have lying around the house so that others can try new sports. Last year's swap was a surprise hit, with some 45 kids walking away with used gear.
The fair and swap run from 5 to 9 p.m. and are free to the public. For details, call Dziwenka at 780-939-7833 or Edworthy at 780-939-7834.
