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Edmonton Journal
01-08-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
From dragoons to dance floors: Edmonton's historic Connaught Armoury, once the notorious Club Malibu, listed for sale
Article content The City of Edmonton is selling a 1911 landmark — once a military hub, 1980s nightclub, and social service space — after it sat vacant for more than one year. Article content The decision to sell the Connaught Armoury follows the building's vacancy since last year, said Chris Hodgson, the city's branch manager of real estate, who noted the property no longer serves a municipal purpose. Article content Article content Article content 'The tenant chose to vacate in May 2024. We consulted city business areas and found no municipal need for the building. As such, we listed it for sale on July 10.' Article content Article content 'The city's main goals are to preserve the historically protected Connaught Armoury building, reduce costs by selling a property that is no longer required by the city and provide a potential development opportunity that positively contributes to the vibrancy of the surrounding community,' he said. Article content Constructed in 1911 in the former City of Strathcona at a cost of $35,000, the Connaught Armoury is one of Alberta's oldest remaining armouries. It was designed by the federal Department of Public Works in a fortress-like Baronial style, featuring brick construction, sandstone detailing, crenellated parapets, 'cannonball' finials, and a formal arched entrance. Article content Article content Originally built to house B Squadron of the 19th Alberta Dragoons, the building has military roots tied to both world wars. The regiment served at pivotal battles such as Ypres, the Somme, and Vimy Ridge. Article content After the Dragoons disbanded in 1964, the City of Edmonton acquired the building. It remained unused for more than a decade before being adapted for civilian purposes. Since then, the armoury has seen a range of uses, most recently by a tenant that vacated in 2024. Article content Before its more recent community uses, the Connaught Armoury was home to Club Malibu, a popular nightclub during the 1980s. Known for its music and late-night crowds, the club became a local landmark in its own right. While the venue added a lively chapter to the building's long history, it also left behind infrastructure and wear that posed challenges for future tenants. Article content Club Malibu was not a haunt for the city's 'cool kids' but rather a hotspot for university students and suburban visitors seeking cheap drinks and wild nights, also known for frequent closing-time fights and its reputation as a notorious pick-up spot. Article content Its architectural and historical significance has been recognized through its designation as a Provincial Historic Resource in 1979 and a Municipal Historic Resource in 2007. Hodgson said these designations come with specific obligations. Article content 'The Connaught Armoury is designated as both a provincial and municipal historic resource, which means it has two sets of regulations. The entire building is protected under both designations, requiring the city and province to review any work on the exterior or interior,' he said. Article content Sale process and restrictions Article content The property is listed for $2.47 million on the City of Edmonton's property sales website, and proposals are being accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The city has also announced a holding window to ensure fairness. Article content Article content 'Considering the interest level and the complexity of this site, we want to give all interested parties an equal opportunity so we will hold all submissions received until Sept. 12 at 4 p.m.,' Hodgson said. Article content The Connaught Armoury and its surrounding 24,278 square foot lot, including a vacant parking area, are zoned DC1 (Direct Control), allowing a mix of residential, commercial, institutional, and community-oriented uses. However, 'use will have to comply with city zoning, and modifications will have to align with the historic designations of the building.' Article content Buyers are also expected to explain how their proposals will integrate with the city's vision and may need to subdivide the lot if redevelopment of the parking area is proposed. Notably, heritage protection technically applies to both the building and the adjacent land. Article content Article content 'The city is looking for a proposal or proponent that will maintain and use the historically protected Connaught Armoury and the rest of the large land parcel for an integrated development,' Hodgson said. Article content The city noted that while the Connaught Armoury itself is fully protected, the adjacent parking lot portion of the parcel, also technically under the heritage designation, could be eligible for redevelopment. With rezoning and subdivision, it may be possible to build a multi-unit residential structure with covered parking and limited commercial uses on the ground floor, in line with the Scona District Plan. Article content Article content The city also highlighted the building's location in the heart of Old Strathcona's Provincial Historic Area and Business Improvement Area, just off Whyte Avenue and near the Old Strathcona Farmers Market, University of Alberta, and Edmonton's river valley.
The Age
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Magpies show strength in defeat, but big questions remain
Collingwood's strengths are threefold. First is the relatively large number of very capable and sound footballers in their best 23, Collingwood's coalition of the (highly) competent having increased with the additions of Dan Houston, Harry Perryman and Tim Membrey. There's a depth of good players within their best team, albeit they would be in strife without either of the Mr Darcys (Moore and Cameron) or Nick Daicos. Second, they have exceptional leadership in their ranks. It was hardly a shock that there was an abrupt shift when Scott Pendlebury took the field after half-time, replacing another on-field coach in Jeremy Howe (groin); Pendlebury is the game's time lord. Loading Third, while talented, they are a formidable system team; to beat them, you have to penetrate what a fan dubbed 'the Fly trap' – a defensive method that makes the opposition work hard for scores, even when Collingwood are losing territory and clearances. On Friday night, they were smashed in the first half, yet held the Suns to 69 points by the end. The weaknesses? They can be sluggish in the middle, have periods of losing ascendancy in the contest/clearances, and are more reliant on senior citizens – those same superb leaders (Steele Sidebottom another) – than any other rival. Their excess/abundance of experience is both advantage and vulnerability. I guessed that they would struggle to contend in 2025, on the grounds that the age profile would bring injuries. To date, that assessment has been awry. They don't have depth in tall backs, hence the need for Moore to remain intact and even for Billy Frampton's return. Howe will be sorely missed against the Dockers next week, given Frampton won't be there either. Loading The Pies are comparable to themselves in 2023, although the superstitious among their hordes will also remember 2011, when they lost momentum late in the season and were overrun by Geelong, their bete noir, in the grand final. The events of 2011 are as relevant to McRae's team as the 1958 grand final, or the battle of the Somme. This team has a knack for confounding history. They do so by living in the now and 'managing the moments', as the coach says. McRae and his match committee have some hard calls ahead if they are to secure what would be a remarkable second flag inside three seasons. Jordan De Goey's body has failed him in 2025. Can he get back and if he does, whose spot does he take? If Collingwood are accustomed to life without De Goey, they must be mindful of his capacity to deliver in September. This column's guess is that the dice will be rolled, provided there are no further breakdowns. Mason Cox, who performed quite well on Friday night – holding rather than dropping most marks – is another vexing call for the Magpies. It does not seem feasible to have Cox combined with Cameron, Daniel McStay and Membrey. That McStay's ruckwork is iffy is a further complication. Tom Mitchell returned for his first game in a year against hapless Carlton, and the 2018 Brownlow medallist predictably thrived against a midfield that runs at his chugging velocity. In the first half on Friday, Mitchell was exposed for pace and did not deliver the ball well by foot, as Anderson and Matt Rowell owned the footy. McRae has to decide if he can risk a midfield with Mitchell, Sidebottom (who was sub par v the Suns), Pendlebury and the hard-working but limited Ned Long. Friday night's Carrara clash turned when Josh Daicos went on to the ball, which also permitted Dan Houston more licence to attack from half-back. Was this move a break-glass ploy, or one that McRae should persist with in the remaining home-and-away games? Greater football minds than mine will sort that one. The optimistic view of Collingwood's defeat is that they got off the floor when trailing by 40 points on the road, without six of their best 23, namely Brody Mihocek ('managed'), Pat Lipinski (ditto), Frampton, Beau McCreery, De Goey and Bobby Hill, who missed for the third week due to personal issues and was called 'day to day' by McRae. In the remaining rounds, McRae won't be managing the moments so much as managing bodies and minds, minimising risks while striving to keep that top-two spot and maintain the premiership mojo.
Irish Times
12-07-2025
- General
- Irish Times
More than a million who died at battle of Somme are remembered at Islandbridge commemoration
The battle of the Somme began on July 1st, 2016, and was '141 days of unrelenting horror that would claim over one million lives and scar a generation'. The bloodshed was for a gain of 10km, historian Nikki Carter told the annual National War Memorial Gardens commemoration at Islandbridge, Dublin, to mark the first World War battle. About 200,000 soldiers from the island of Ireland served over the course of the war, most of them volunteers. In all, 4,435 dead are listed in Ireland's memorial records, while the Imperial War Museum puts the figure at between 35,000 and 40,000. READ MORE 'As we remember the men of the Somme, the Ulstermen, the southern volunteers, and all those who gave everything, let us honour not just their courage, but the complexity of the world they came from and the legacy that they left behind,' Dr Carter told Saturday's gathering of about 650 people including military veterans, serving personnel, politicians and members of the diplomatic corps. This year's ceremony also marked the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion in Ireland, which organises the event. District chairman of the legion Paul Stephenson, who presided over the ceremony, said that since its foundation 'despite adversity and challenge, the legion has persevered through changing times'. 'As we have for a century, we pay tribute to those who served, ensuring that their legacy endures,' he said. Among veterans in attendance were Pat Whelan (89) from Irishtown, Dublin, who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the 1950s and the Defence Forces Reserve for 33 years, and Harry Daly (91) from Ballyfermot, also Dublin, who served in the Royal Ulster Rifles from 1954 to 1960. 'I joined the Defence Forces Reserve at 16-and-a-half and at 18 went to Belfast and joined the Royal Air Force,' Mr Whelan said. He served in Egypt and spent time in Aden, Yemen. His last posting was in Anglesey, north Wales, 'and I was able to go home every weekend from Holyhead'. Mr Daly was living in England and was called up for national service in 1954 and, wanting to serve with an Irish regiment, joined the Royal Ulster Rifles. Michael Dempsey laid a wreath on behalf of the French Foreign Legion Association Michael Dempsey, a former member of the French Foreign Legion from 1983 to 1990, laid an ivy wreath at the commemoration on behalf of the Foreign Legion association. Now a schoolbus driver in Kilkenny, he joined the legion for 'adventure'. He served in Djibouti in Africa, French Guiana in South America, Mururoa Atoll, south Pacific and in Corsica briefly with the Parachute Regiment and in France. 'I think it is very important to be here to remember those who lost their lives at the Somme,' he said. 'They were many and they were everybody, many nationalities including Germans.' During the ceremony Rev Peter Rutherford, chaplain to the Royal British Legion in Ireland, and Fr Paschal Hanrahan, Defence Forces head chaplain, led the dedication of a new replica of the Ginchy oak cross built by the 16th Irish division and originally erected on the Somme. The original will go on display in the National Museum of Ireland . During the moving ceremony, the traditional remembrance was read by Lt Col Ken Martin, beginning: 'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.' The Last Post was played and two minutes' silence observed before the wreath-laying ceremony. The first wreaths were laid by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ray McAdam, and High Sheriff of Belfast, Fiona McAteer. Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless laid a wreath on behalf of the Government. Northern First Minister Michelle O'Neill was represented by junior minister Aisling Reilly. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly was represented by junior minister Pam Cameron. Wreaths were also laid by the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána , members of the Diplomatic corps, the Royal British Legion and other veterans' associations.
Sydney Morning Herald
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Beatable, yet hard to beat: The hard calls facing Collingwood
Collingwood's strengths are three-fold. First is the relatively large number of very capable and sound footballers in their best 23, Collingwood's coalition of the (highly) competent having increased with the additions of Dan Houston, Harry Perryman and Tim Membrey. There's a depth of good players within their best team, albeit they would be in strife without either of the Mr Darcys (Moore and Cameron) or Nick Daicos. Second – they have exceptional leadership in their ranks. It was hardly a shock that there was an abrupt shift when Scott Pendlebury took the field after half-time, replacing another on-field coach in Jeremy Howe (groin); Pendlebury is the game's time lord. Loading Third – while talented, they are a formidable system team; to beat them, you have to penetrate what a fan dubbed 'the Fly trap' – a defensive method that makes the opposition work hard for scores, even when Collingwood are losing territory and clearances. On Friday night, they were smashed in the first half, yet held the Suns to 69 points by the end. The weaknesses? They can be sluggish in the middle, have periods of losing ascendancy in the contest/clearances, and are more reliant on senior citizens – those same superb leaders (Steele Sidebottom another) – than any other rival. Their excess/abundance of experience is both advantage and vulnerability. I guessed that they would struggle to contend in 2025, on the grounds that the age profile would bring injuries. To date, that assessment has been awry. They don't have depth in tall backs, hence the need for Moore to remain intact and even for Billy Frampton's return. Howe will be sorely missed against the Dockers next week, given Frampton won't be there either. Loading The Pies are comparable to themselves in 2023, although the superstitious among their hordes will also remember 2011, when they lost momentum late in the season and were overrun by Geelong, their bete noir, in the grand final. The events of 2011 are as relevant to McRae's team as the 1958 grand final, or the battle of the Somme. This team has a knack for confounding history. They do so by living in the now and 'managing the moments', as the coach says. McRae and his match committee have some hard calls ahead if they are to secure what would be a remarkable second flag inside three seasons. Jordan De Goey's body has failed him in 2025. Can he get back and if he does, whose spot does he take? If Collingwood are accustomed to life without De Goey, they must be mindful of his capacity to deliver in September. This column's guess is that the dice will be rolled, provided there are no further breakdowns. Mason Cox, who performed quite well on Friday night – holding rather than dropping most marks – is another vexing call for the Magpies. It does not seem feasible to have Cox combined with Cameron, Daniel McStay and Membrey. That McStay's ruckwork is iffy is a further complication. Tom Mitchell returned for his first game in a year against hapless Carlton, and the 2018 Brownlow medallist predictably thrived against a midfield that runs at his chugging velocity. In the first half on Friday, Mitchell was exposed for pace and did not deliver the ball well by foot, as Anderson and Matt Rowell owned the footy. McRae has to decide if he can risk a midfield with Mitchell, Sidebottom (who was sub par v the Suns), Pendlebury and the hard-working but limited Ned Long. Friday night's Carrara clash turned when Josh Daicos went on to the ball, which also permitted Dan Houston more licence to attack from half-back. Was this move a break-glass ploy, or one that McRae should persist with in the remaining home-and-away games? Greater football minds than mine will sort that one. The optimistic view of Collingwood's defeat is that they got off the floor when trailing by 40 points on the road, without six of their best 23, namely Brody Mihocek ('managed'), Pat Lipinski (ditto), Frampton, Beau McCreery, De Goey and Bobby Hill, who missed for the third week due to personal issues and was called 'day to day' by McRae. In the remaining rounds, McRae won't be managing the moments so much as managing bodies and minds, minimising risks while striving to keep that top-two spot and maintain the premiership mojo.
The Age
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Beatable, yet hard to beat: The hard calls facing Collingwood
Collingwood's strengths are three-fold. First is the relatively large number of very capable and sound footballers in their best 23, Collingwood's coalition of the (highly) competent having increased with the additions of Dan Houston, Harry Perryman and Tim Membrey. There's a depth of good players within their best team, albeit they would be in strife without either of the Mr Darcys (Moore and Cameron) or Nick Daicos. Second – they have exceptional leadership in their ranks. It was hardly a shock that there was an abrupt shift when Scott Pendlebury took the field after half-time, replacing another on-field coach in Jeremy Howe (groin); Pendlebury is the game's time lord. Loading Third – while talented, they are a formidable system team; to beat them, you have to penetrate what a fan dubbed 'the Fly trap' – a defensive method that makes the opposition work hard for scores, even when Collingwood are losing territory and clearances. On Friday night, they were smashed in the first half, yet held the Suns to 69 points by the end. The weaknesses? They can be sluggish in the middle, have periods of losing ascendancy in the contest/clearances, and are more reliant on senior citizens – those same superb leaders (Steele Sidebottom another) – than any other rival. Their excess/abundance of experience is both advantage and vulnerability. I guessed that they would struggle to contend in 2025, on the grounds that the age profile would bring injuries. To date, that assessment has been awry. They don't have depth in tall backs, hence the need for Moore to remain intact and even for Billy Frampton's return. Howe will be sorely missed against the Dockers next week, given Frampton won't be there either. Loading The Pies are comparable to themselves in 2023, although the superstitious among their hordes will also remember 2011, when they lost momentum late in the season and were overrun by Geelong, their bete noir, in the grand final. The events of 2011 are as relevant to McRae's team as the 1958 grand final, or the battle of the Somme. This team has a knack for confounding history. They do so by living in the now and 'managing the moments', as the coach says. McRae and his match committee have some hard calls ahead if they are to secure what would be a remarkable second flag inside three seasons. Jordan De Goey's body has failed him in 2025. Can he get back and if he does, whose spot does he take? If Collingwood are accustomed to life without De Goey, they must be mindful of his capacity to deliver in September. This column's guess is that the dice will be rolled, provided there are no further breakdowns. Mason Cox, who performed quite well on Friday night – holding rather than dropping most marks – is another vexing call for the Magpies. It does not seem feasible to have Cox combined with Cameron, Daniel McStay and Membrey. That McStay's ruckwork is iffy is a further complication. Tom Mitchell returned for his first game in a year against hapless Carlton, and the 2018 Brownlow medallist predictably thrived against a midfield that runs at his chugging velocity. In the first half on Friday, Mitchell was exposed for pace and did not deliver the ball well by foot, as Anderson and Matt Rowell owned the footy. McRae has to decide if he can risk a midfield with Mitchell, Sidebottom (who was sub par v the Suns), Pendlebury and the hard-working but limited Ned Long. Friday night's Carrara clash turned when Josh Daicos went on to the ball, which also permitted Dan Houston more licence to attack from half-back. Was this move a break-glass ploy, or one that McRae should persist with in the remaining home-and-away games? Greater football minds than mine will sort that one. The optimistic view of Collingwood's defeat is that they got off the floor when trailing by 40 points on the road, without six of their best 23, namely Brody Mihocek ('managed'), Pat Lipinski (ditto), Frampton, Beau McCreery, De Goey and Bobby Hill, who missed for the third week due to personal issues and was called 'day to day' by McRae. In the remaining rounds, McRae won't be managing the moments so much as managing bodies and minds, minimising risks while striving to keep that top-two spot and maintain the premiership mojo.
