The Wrap: Extreme heat, a new Exchange highrise, Folklorama, and the Blue and Gold… medal?
Plus: Checking in at the centre of Canada

Good evening. Monday is a civic holiday across the country; in Manitoba, people will take Aug. 5 to remember legendary Canadian Terry Fox, who was born in Winnipeg and attempted to run across Canada to bring awareness to cancer research before his death in 1981 at age 22.

Many businesses and government services change their hours over the August long weekend. Here’s a selection.

The Free Press will not publish a print edition — or send this newsletter — on Monday, but you can catch up on the latest local, national and international news on winnipegfreepress.com.

Here’s a look at what our newsroom has been working on today:

'We are not prepared'

In Canada and the United States, extreme heat kills more people than any other weather event.

But unlike other natural disasters, it is a largely invisible emergency: it comes on slowly, targets vulnerable populations such as seniors, and kills behind closed doors.

Halfway through a summer in which the world has already experienced its hottest day ever — twice — Julia-Simone Rutgers looks at how governments keep the public safe in extreme heat.

Julia-Simone Rutgers:

Taking on a ‘silent killer’

Governments are ramping up strategies to address the devastating impacts of extreme heat Read More

'A champion for downtown'

It was an on again/off again project for several years, but construction is now well underway on the first highrise building in the east Exchange neighbourhood in almost 50 years.

And were it not for the fact the 10-storey, mixed-use building was a labour of love for its co-developers, the $30-million project would never would have got out of the ground.

Martin Cash reports in our business section.

Martin Cash:

New highrise labour of love

Alston Properties, Concord Projects making ‘emotional investment’ with 10-storey building in east Exchange Read More

'I never thought I’d see the centre of Canada'

As holiday traffic motors east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway, a smattering of travellers can’t resist the urge to turn off into a small park.

Welcome to the Centre of Canada Park — or as a large sign proclaims, the country’s longitudinal centre at 96° 48’ 35” — which draws people from here, there and everywhere.

Jura McIlraith spoke with several travellers one fine summer morning to find out where they are from and what brought them to the smack dab centre of Canada.

Jura McIlraith:

Stuck in the middle

Oversized Adirondack chairs beckon travellers to make a pitstop at the centre of Canada Read More

'We’re pumped, we’re ready to go'

Folklorama starts Sunday in Winnipeg. Ahead of the 53rd annual festival of multiculturalism, representatives from the Egyptian pavilion talk to food writer Eva Wasney about the process of developing authentic dishes to serve to hundreds of visitors each night.

Eva Wasney:

Authentic eats

At Folklorama, real cultural cuisine key Read More

'There’s not a chance in hell I could go out there'

If the Winnipeg Blue Bombers had to send a team to Paris for the Summer Olympics, who would make the cut?

The Free Press consulted nine players — Brady Oliveira, Nic Demski, Chris Streveler, Stanley Bryant, Willie Jefferson, Adam Bighill, Jake Thomas, Sergio Castillo and Jamieson Sheahan — to find out which of their teammates would have the best shot at gold in eight events.

Taylor Allen:

Pondering Big Blue and Gold medals

Bombers speculate on which teammates would shine at Olympic Games Read More