Stop by the newly opened Seven Oaks Arena

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/09/2015 (3904 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Safety and recreation in our neighbourhood, particularly for our children, is so important.
Here is an update on two projects in the Old Kildonan ward.

New traffic lights are being installed at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Adsum Drive in the Maples. The traffic signals will be replacing the four-way stop signs.

The reason for this change has to do with the need to improve pedestrian flow at this intersection, as well as improving the overall movement and safety of people, whether they walk, bike or drive.
How did this project come about? I raised the issue of needing analysis of the flow of traffic at this busy intersection at The Lord Selkirk West Kildonan Community Committee, of which I am a member. City staff undertook a study and evaluated movement in the intersection by pedestrians, bikes, transit and vehicles and how effective and safe the flow is.

When the report came back it called for traffic signals or a round-about to replace the four-way stop signs. The evaluation looked at what performs better based on the criteria and which is more cost effective. The recommended option in the end was that the traffic signals would perform better at this location.

The Committee passed the recommendation and it went through the budget process and now it can begin. We are expecting this installation to be completed by early November or sooner.

Secondly, it is exciting the Seven Oaks Arena, located at 745 Kingsbury, held its official grand opening earlier this month.  Do stop in to take a look at the new facility if you haven’t been there already. It truly is impressive.

The new arena, which links to the current Garden City Community Centre and Seven Oaks Soccer Complex, will help meet the growing recreational needs of our community. This 100,000-square-foot twin arena and multi-use facility will provide many good opportunities for athletics all year round.

Also on-site is a multi-purpose room, meeting rooms, leasable retail space and space for an athletic and high performance training centre, a full-service canteen with lounge seating, a walking track on the second level and an open community gathering area with workstations and Wi-Fi access.

The community volunteers that dedicated their time over a number of years to ensure this project come to fruition must be commended. Thank you to the Seven Oaks Arena project committee members.
It is amazing the great things that can be accomplished when levels of government and communities creatively work together.