The Calgary Peace Bridge

Below are the Latest Marathon stats:

Marathon: #187
Date: Friday Oct 8th 2010
Donations to date: $86,532.91
Course: Calgary Pathways Marathon
Run time: 5hr 38min 51sec (See Garmin Connect)
Aver. Heart Rate: 171 BPM (?)
Temperature C: 15C
Distance covered to date: 7,891.4km (4,899.4ml)
Total number of runners: 2

Over the last seven months, I have run all or part of a marathon 45 times on the Calgary pathways. I have covered over 1400km and run from the Stoney overpass to Fish Creek Park. I would suggest that some improvements could be made to signage but, over all, they are excellent and the system is a jewel in the crown for Calgary. One section I always pass is less than a km west of Eau Claire Market and it is the construction site for the Calgary Peace Bridge. This will be a walking / cycling bridge and has a price tag of $25m.

There has been a lot of discussion about this bridge. Lots of finger pointing and name calling so I feel it's time to get some facts on the table and let the healing begin. I humbly offer the following:

The Cost: I was a bit shocked at the cost but when I went to see it it became clear. They've built a bridge across the river to put the bridge on ($8.33m). Then there's the cost of the bridge ($8.33m) and finally they've built a house like structure over the bridge ($8.33m). Fair enough. It looks like a high tech "Bridges of Madison County".
The Name: I didn't realise but there was a competition to "Name that Bridge". The runners up were "The Save the Whale Bridge" and the "Apple Pie and Mother's Milk Bridge".
The Idea: One of the Candidates for Mayor, Mr. Iam Jenious suggested that they stick the Calgary Flames logo all over it and call it "The Kiprusoff Bridge". It does look a bit like a hockey net. This would return $3m to the taxpayers in sponsorship money.
The Suggestion: That all the council members who voted for the bridge should be taken outside and publicly flogged with a wet noddle (possibly a little harsh).

As you might have guessed I'm not happy with the bridge.

Ice Cream Quest 47

The challenge is to try all 47 flavours at Mackay's ice cream store before midnight December 31st.

Today's flavour #38: Strawberry

NEWSFLASH: I have been asked a number of time what ice cream flavour would I like if I could choose anything. My answer has always been "Bacon and Eggs". Today I met Rona at Mackays store and she said that my dream is going to become a reality. They are going to make as a one time deal, a batch of "Bacon and Egg" ice cream. This could change the eating habits in North America (probably not in a good way).

Quote of the Day

"Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal."

E.O. Wilson, American biologist, researcher, theorist, naturalist and author

Construction continues on the Calgary Peace Bridge. Nice red.

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The Calgary Peace Bridge