$32 million boost targets Calgary aviation projects

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It's shaping up to be another busy week in Calgary, with everything from major government investments to weekend festivals keeping the city buzzing. Whether you're planning your weekend or just want to stay informed about what's happening around town, we've got you covered.

👀 In today's edition:

• Teachers set to strike Oct. 6

• Firefighters’ names added to memorial wall

• Murder victim’s backpack contained ID for homeless shelter

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$32 million boost targets Calgary aviation projects

The Alberta government has committed more than $32 million towards two aviation projects in Calgary, including over $21 million for Calgary Airport's YYC AeroNex infrastructure development and nearly $11 million for a new aviation training facility. The funding aims to expand the province's role in Canada's aerospace industry through job creation and private sector partnerships.

The training centre will span 126,000 square feet and accommodate up to 6,000 students annually, with WestJet contracted as the primary commercial customer and Mount Royal University students gaining access through partnerships with CAE and other companies. The YYC AeroNex project will support infrastructure development at Calgary International Airport, where Lufthansa Technik plans to build a $120-million engine maintenance facility.

According to government projections, the investments could generate $400 million in related industry activity over 15 years. Alberta's aviation sector currently employs over 19,000 people and contributes $1.8 billion to the provincial economy, according to government figures.

Need to know

🏫 More than 51,000 Alberta educators set an October 6 deadline for potential job action after contract talks with the provincial government reached an impasse.

🚒 Four additional firefighters' names were engraved on Calgary's memorial wall during this year's tribute ceremony, honoring those who lost their lives serving the community since the department's founding in 1885.

⚡ Enmax's scheduled electrical work forced several Marda Loop establishments to close their doors on Tuesday, compounding the financial strain already caused by two years of disruptive street construction.

🚐 Calgary rejected creating a permanent RV parking site for people living in their vehicles, disappointing campers who say they can't afford rental housing and face constant harassment from police and complaints.

⚖️ Court proceedings revealed that a murder victim's backpack contained basic hygiene products and identification from a Calgary homeless facility when he was fatally shot after leaving his kitchen job.

🔍 Calgary police released photos of a man they want to speak with regarding an assault on a woman who was walking her dog in southeast Calgary last month, asking the public to help identify the person of interest.

🏢 Calgary officially broke ground on a $71.8 million Belmont Fieldhouse and Library in the southwest, featuring a 118,000-square-foot recreation facility with artificial turf fields and a 10,000-square-foot public library scheduled to open in 2027.

😴 Cooking When Fatigued (Meals for Low Energy Days) Sept 24 - Learn strategies in the kitchen to support eating well, despite living with fatigue. (Free, in-person class led by AHS Registered Dietitian and Occupational Therapist)*

👩‍🍳 Cancer Recovery: Cooking for Taste & Swallowing Difficulties Sept 25 - Join other cancer survivors to learn nutrition tips to help with eating challenges due to cancer treatment. (Free, in-person program led by AHS Dietitian)*

🥘 Easy & Healthy Mediterranean Cooking (Everyday Meals) Sept 16 – Discover great flavours and improve your nutrition with tips for heart health, brain health or general well-being. (Free online class led by AHS Registered Dietitians)*

💪 Rebuilding Health: High Protein Cooking Class Sept 17 - Join dietitians to learn why protein is important for health, tricks for sneaking extra protein into foods and recipes for high protein snacks. (Free in-person class)*

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Heritage Park celebrates railway history with hands-on weekend event

Heritage Park will host its annual Railway Days celebration on September 13 and 14, offering families the chance to experience Canada's rail heritage through steam train rides, historic railcar tours, and interactive demonstrations. The weekend event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, featuring activities like watching a 1907 turntable move locomotives and pumping handcars down the tracks.

Visitors can explore beyond typical train rides with behind-the-scenes access to railway mechanics and steam-era traditions, including crews refilling the water tower as they did over a century ago. The celebration also features guided tours of Heritage Park's newest addition—a diesel-electric engine that marks the first new locomotive to join the fleet in nearly 50 years before it officially begins operating.

The event is supported by Canadian Pacific Kansas City, which has partnered with Heritage Park to share Canadian rail history with current and future train enthusiasts. General admission costs $39.95 for adults and $27.95 for children aged 3-15 per day, with tickets available at heritagepark.ca and free admission for Heritage Park members.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Cabin Brewing Company: This cozy Manchester-area brewery welcomes families to enjoy bold craft beers alongside Award-winning Kiwi-style meat pies that Avenue Magazine named one of Calgary's top 25 must-try dishes.

🍴 Teatro Ristorante: This downtown fine dining establishment sources ingredients from local organic producers and imports specialty items like olive oil from the owner's family groves in Italy's Marche region for an authentic culinary experience.

Have a food or drink suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

Things to do

🎟️ Pumpkin Mug: This Kensington pottery studio invites you to craft your own pumpkin-shaped ceramic mug with expert guidance for just $7.99 plus the cost of clay used, with an optional return visit to paint your creation for an additional fee.

🎟️ Block Party: This free University District celebration on September 14 features live music, inflatable slides, LEGO activities, and roaming disco ball dancers as the community showcases its new Retail Main Street development from 1-4 PM.

Have an event suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

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