St. Albert’s famous farmers’ market will have a new look for the new year.
The city released the proposed 2017 layout recently. The new layout begins in front of Cranky’s on St. Anne Street and extends past the courthouse to the roundabout, as well as mid-way up the westbound lane of St. Thomas Street to around the site of the Midtown Apothecary and makes use of the newly constructed St. Anne Promenade.
In the past the farmers’ market stretched down St. Anne Street and curved up both arms of St. Thomas Street.
“We’re really excited to be going on to the new boulevard,” said incoming St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Jennifer McCurdy. “It’s going to give a different feel to the market.”
St. Anne Promenade promises a beautifully landscaped backdrop for vendors and customers alike.
While planning the new layout the city and the St. Albert & District Chamber of Commerce tried to strike the right balance between business, resident and shopper interests.
St. Albert’s farmers’ market is the biggest outdoor farmers market in Western Canada. It attracts between 15,000 to 20,000 customers every Saturday from June to October.
While some businesses rely on the market for foot traffic, others have voiced concerns about congestion and parking shortages on market days.
“Some businesses in the downtown love (the farmers’ market), some do not. What we were trying to do by having that new configuration is to keep both camps happy,” said Joan Barber, manager of business retention and expansion for the city.
Extending the market down the promenade to Taché Street will take pressure off downtown infrastructure by providing another access point, said Barber. She hopes customers will be more inclined to park at the legion or the St. Albert Curling Club next year.
To encourage spin-off shopping downtown, the Botanical Loop will continue to drop off at the intersection of St. Thomas and Perron streets. The market will also still extend up a portion of St. Thomas Street for the same reason.
“We’re still going to be bringing people down into that area so that it provides them an opportunity to then continue on and explore the other stores on Perron Street,” said Barber.
The roundabout will remain partially open on market days to allow access to St. Joseph Street, where many downtown residents live. Access to the condos along St. Joseph will also be possible using part of St. Thomas Street.
Last year the market was temporarily reconfigured due to the construction associated with the St. Anne Street realignment project. The proposed 2017 layout is likely to be permanent.
“This has always been the goal, to end up with this final plan,” said McCurdy.
The market will still accommodate 250 booths.
