East Village gears up for construction boom

Advertise | Sign Up

Good morning !

Last week, we asked what should be Alberta's top healthcare infrastructure priority, and two-thirds of you pointed to emergency department capacity. Readers highlighted the problem of patients stuck in hallways for over 24 hours, with one noting that when ER doctors are calling for drastic action, the government should listen.

👀 In today's edition:

• Two Co-op stores closing their doors

• A beloved café forced to relocate

• The separatist movement gains attention

Get your story told! Promote your business, event, or restaurant in front of 30,000+ engaged locals! Contact our team today.

WORTH KNOWING

⛅️Today: High 4C, Low -7C. See the 7-day forecast.

🚗 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation, and find the city’s traffic report and road closures.

⚠️ Here’s the current smoke forecast / check Calgary wildfire and fire restrictions and the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard.

QUICK POLL

East Village gears up for construction boom with five new residential projects

Construction is ramping up in East Village this year, with five new residential developments set to break ground as Calgary's downtown core continues to densify.

Calgary Municipal Land Corporation and developer Bankside Properties kicked things off with a ceremonial groundbreaking for Library Square, which will bring 162 purpose-built rental homes in two six-storey buildings just east of the Central Library. The actual construction starts in February, and tenants should be able to move in by 2027. The buildings will feature brick detailing inspired by the neighbourhood's historic buildings, along with a courtyard and rooftop space for residents.

Four more projects are slated to start construction this year. Ayrshire Group's development will add 208 units, Slokker Homes is building 218 units with commercial space, Trico Communities is planning around 170 units with ground-floor commercial and childcare, and Truman is constructing a hotel with 132 rooms. All together, the five projects will bring more than 700 new homes and those hotel rooms to East Village.

Beyond the downtown neighbourhood, CMLC is also working on transit-oriented communities at three LRT stations—Fish Creek-Lacombe, Dalhousie, and Anderson. The organization will be moving forward with master planning and community engagement on those sites this year, part of the city's broader push to address Calgary's housing crunch.

Need to know

🏪 Calgary Co-op will close two northwest locations in Hamptons and Sage Hill on March 28 after reporting over $10 million in losses last year despite rising sales.

🚧 A city councillor believes Calgary can reach $5 billion in infrastructure spending next year without major tax hikes if other government levels and the private sector contribute.

☕ Angel's Café in Edworthy Park received 30 days notice to vacate as the city prepares to use the site for urgent Bearspaw feeder main repair work.

🔥 Calgary firefighters responded to five separate residential fires within 24 hours this week, with causes still under investigation and no injuries reported.

🏥 Friends of Medicare held a Calgary town hall where healthcare professionals warned that accessibility has worsened and emergency rooms are becoming overwhelmed.

🇨🇦 Alberta's NDP is addressing the province's separatist movement as an independence group gathers petition signatures, though polls show only 28 per cent of Albertans support leaving Canada.

😴 Cooking When Fatigued (Everyday Meals Made Easier) Feb 11 - Learn strategies in the kitchen to support eating well, despite living with fatigue. (Free, ONLINE class led by AHS Registered Dietitian and Occupational Therapist)*

*Sponsored Listing

Calgary Opera unveils 2026/27 season with political thriller and fairy tale romance

Calgary Opera has announced its upcoming season, featuring three productions at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium alongside a family show and community events throughout the year.

The season kicks off in October with Puccini's Tosca, a political thriller centered on a singer, a painter, and a police chief caught in a dangerous power struggle. The winter production brings Massenet's Cinderella to the stage in January and February, telling the classic fairy tale transformation story set to what the company describes as magical music. Spring wraps up the main season with Verdi's Otello in April, based on Shakespeare's tragedy about jealousy and manipulation.

For families and younger audiences, the company will stage multiple performances of Seymour Barab's Pied Piper at the Mamdani Opera Centre in November, with a sensory-friendly performance included. The production will also tour southern Alberta schools and communities in February, performed by members of Calgary Opera's artist development program.

The company is making some changes this season, shifting opening nights to Fridays and continuing Sunday afternoon matinees. Youth tickets for anyone 18 and under are now half price for all seats and performances. Calgary Opera is also offering a range of community events beyond the main stage, including opera brunches, casual performances at breweries, and free pre-show talks.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Saigon Deli: This Vietnamese eatery specializes in banh mi sandwiches and authentic Vietnamese cuisine, open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM in southeast Calgary.

🍴 Doughlicious: A family-owned Middle Eastern bakery and cafe serves fresh pita bread, manousheh (pita pies), brisket sandwiches, samosas, and baklava, with catering services available and a commitment to donating thousands of pitas to local food banks weekly.

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

Things to do

🎟️ YYC Hot Chocolate Festival: Cafes, restaurants, and chocolatiers across Calgary compete for titles including Best Hot Chocolate and Most Creative Hot Chocolate throughout February, with $1-$3 from each cup sold supporting Calgary Meals on Wheels to provide nutritious meals to vulnerable Calgarians.

🎟️ Chinook Blast: Calgary's free winter festival returns to Eau Claire Plaza from January 30 to February 16 with three weekends featuring live music, ice skating, light installations, markets, roving performers, a beer garden, and activities including ice carving demonstrations and cultural showcases.

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

That’s it!

Thanks for reading today. If you found something interesting, please forward this email to another Calgarian and tell them to sign up!

And before you go, we’d love to know…

We’ll see you back here on Tuesdays and Thursdays, same time, same place!