Buildings
Without the permanent site that Northlands Park received through the
City of Edmonton in 1910, perhaps many of the buildings that are now
associated with the organization would not exist. As part of relocating
to the Kirkness Lake property in Northeast Edmonton, Peter Rule’s Grand
Design was incorporated.
The design called for the construction of two main buildings and allow for diversification of the Edmonton
Exhibition Association (EEA). Eventually, the two structures would be razed
and replaced, but nonetheless went on to figure prominently in the organization’s
history.
One of these historic buildings was the Manufacturers Building. With
its curious shape, the building was created to display such things as grains. With
time, and the rise of urban consumer culture, the space gained new uses.
It became the site for many companies and government departments to
engage with the public and advertise their goods and services. Booths
ranged from dairy to electrical and drew business people as well as
shoppers reviewing possible household items.
A second and important historical building was the Livestock
Pavilion.
A solid structure, it served the agriculturalists of the
prairie provinces who transported their animals to Edmonton for show and
sale. Following the Second World War, the building underwent renovations
and continued its athletic activity with increased intensity. Hockey
nights at the Edmonton Gardens became a citywide activity and made the
venue popular.
Eventually, the historic buildings suffered the aging endemic to
well-used things. Additional buildings were central in Northland Park’s
expansion period and the
Sportex was the first manifestation of
organizational growth. Again, the community’s desire for consumer
related programming had some influence in the creation of this building,
which has been used as a curling rink, and small trade and exhibition show
space since it was built in 1963.
The Coliseum followed in 1974. Hoping to
position itself as a
Commonwealth Games facility, funding for its creation was earmarked by
several levels of government. A successful entertainment complex, it
housed some Universiade ’83 events, Labatt Brier curling, and continues
to host National Hockey League games.
Northlands Park
contributed an important site for commerce and trade
in 1984. With the AgriCom’s construction as a world-class facility for
hosting open and closed trade shows, the organization segued into a
sector of activity that has only continued to grow. With booming
business, it is likely to undergo expansion in the near future.
Northlands
Park activity also grew directly as a result of the creation, and later
expansion, of racing and gaming facilities. This includes the original
grandstand that underwent changes and later became the centre of the
Spectrum racing and gaming building. The horse stables
were also a part of this evolution and remain in use on the exhibition
grounds.
![Featured Video: Woods Gordon study on the expansion period](/2217/20101208160327im_/http://www.northlandsmemories.com/images/site/buildings_vid_thu.jpg) |
Past Northlands Park president Harry Hole discusses the impact of
the Woods Gordon study on Northlands expansion period.
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