Sites
Stability has been fundamentally linked to ownership of a site and as
such, the various properties occupied by Northlands Park are of
historical significance.
During its
beginning the organization did not occupy a
particular site during the whole year, rather, it relied on its
community partners to assist in providing land for the annual summer
fair. An agricultural show that benefited many, finding land for
temporary use was not too difficult.
An influential entity in the community, the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC)
owned a significant number of lots. Local company representative,
Chief Factor Richard Hardisty, was one of the Edmonton Agricultural Society
(EAS) founders, making it a
natural fit to have the first exhibition hosted inside the HBC’s Fort
Edmonton. The fort had evolved with the region’s European settlement and
served to unite the local immigrant community. It was also the venue for
trading with local Aboriginal communities and was an enclosed site
seeking a level of self-sustainability.
As the EAS garnered more members and increased its breadth of
activity, more room was sought. EAS executive members were after a
central location that could facilitate construction of structures such
as a racetrack and grandstand while providing suitable surroundings for
livestock.
Donald Ross, a prominent figure in Edmonton’s commercial development
and founding EAS member stepped up and offered one of his river lot
properties referred to as Rossdale Flats. Seizing the opportunity, the
organization acquired the land and set about developing the site.
Coinciding with this period in the organization’s history, Edmonton
was growing and required accompanying services for its residents. The
City of Edmonton was interested in erecting a power plant on the
exhibition grounds and offered to assist the organization in procuring a
new site suitable for its activities. Northlands Park’s relocation
period came about as a result of this arrangement, whereby the city
purchased the site and leased it back to the organization at a nominal
rate.
The final destination was a large, cheap piece of land in what is
now
northeast Edmonton owned by James Kirkness. Northlands bought the
marshy, triangular shaped lot and coordinated efforts to transform it into welcoming grounds.
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