Latest news with #Ypres
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 Independent
07-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
Anne rededicates First World War Menin Gate memorial to ‘remembrance and unity'
The Princess Royal has paid tribute to First World War soldiers who 'gave their lives for peace they would never see' as she marked the reopening of the Menin Gate memorial. Anne joined Princess Claire of Belgium in Ypres where the memorial, bearing the names of more than 54,000 soldiers whose bodies have not been found, has undergone extensive restoration work. Speaking in her role as president of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), which helped fund the project, the princess said: 'Today, we gather to mark the reopening of a remarkable monument which gives us the opportunity to renew our promise that we will remember them. 'The Menin Gate has long stood as more than stone and inscription. It is a threshold between past and present, silence and memory, sacrifice and gratitude.' She added: 'This restoration reminds us of the duty to remember those who gave their lives for peace they would never see. 'A duty to teach new generations that the cost of war is measured not only in history books, but in the poignant sadness of the Last Post each evening.' Anne, who was joined by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, concluded: 'The Commonwealth War Graves Commission pledge to the families of the fallen that this memorial will continue to stand as a testament to the courage, sacrifice, and enduring peace for which they fought. This restoration is for you. 'We rededicate the Menin as a place for remembrance and unity.' During her one-day visit to Ypres, the princess also opened the CWGC visitor centre and visited the grave of Queen Victoria's grandson, Prince Maurice von Battenberg, who was killed fighting with the British Army in 1914 and was buried at Ypres Town Cemetery. He served as an officer with the King's Royal Rifle Corps and was fatally wounded in October 1914 when a shell burst next to him as he led his men across open ground, dying before reaching a field dressing room.
Otago Daily Times
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Hard-fought 2nd pleases Paddon
New Zealand rally driver Hayden Paddon, with Christchurch's Jared Hudson in the co-driver's seat, claimed a hard-fought second at the Ypres Rally in Belgium at the weekend. The Kiwis become the first non-Europeans to stand on the Ypres podium after the all-tarmac event. Paddon piloted a Hyundai i20N Rally2 car prepared by last year's Belgian Champions, BMA, in a field containing international stars such as Dani Sordo, Jos Verstappen, Freddy Loix and defending champion Stephane Lefebvre. It was all on from the outset as milliseconds separated the frontrunners at times. Paddon and Hudson won Saturday's second stage, putting them into the overall lead. Despite intense challenges from Sordo and Lefebvre, the Kiwis' consistency at delivering top-three stage times throughout all of the day's eight stages kept them in the lead by day's end. On Sunday, with 10 stages to tackle, Lefebvre chipped away at Paddon's lead to top the standings by special stage three. Paddon and Hudson kept the pressure on and were stoked to finish on the podium, just 10.3sec behind Lefebvre. "We always knew it was going to be tough challenge this weekend being up against very fast locals and previous winners," Paddon said. "Our goal was to try and get a podium finish, so we're pleased to have done that. "To be fighting for victory was probably more than we expected, particularly to be leading the rally for half of it. "We put up a good fight and tried everything we could. We didn't quite have enough at the end but, still, to be only 10sec shy of the winners was a good weekend for the team and car." Paddon will be straight back into action at Rally Queensland this weekend. He and longtime co-driver John Kennard resume their bid to win their first Australian Rally Championship titles. They lead their respective drivers'/co-drivers' championship points tables. Paddon has 160 points after two rounds, seven points ahead of second-placed Lewis Bates. Kennard also has 160 points, ahead of Bates' co-driver, Anthony McLoughlin. Queensland is the third round of the six-round Australian championship, and comprises 14 special stages and about 193 competitive kilometres. — APL
BBC News
14-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Missing World War One Dorsetshire soldier's grave identified
The grave of a missing World War One soldier has been identified in Ernest Cecil Blencowe of the Dorsetshire Regiment died in February 1916 trying to get control of The Bluff, an area of raised ground near the Ypres-Comines canal which was fought over extensively during the body was not recovered, but remains originally found in June 1921 and reburied at Bedford House Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium, have now been identified as those of Capt Blencowe.A rededication service, where the unmarked grave was marked, was held on Wednesday, and was attended by two of Capt Blencowe's great grandchildren. Capt Blencowe joined the army at the outbreak of was attached to 6th battalion the Dorsetshire Regiment and arrived in France in July he died, he was listed on the Menin Gate Memorial to the June 1921, the remains of an unknown British officer bearing buttons and badges of the Dorsetshire Regiment were found, but further identification proved research has revealed the un-named officer to be Capt Blencowe. 'A tremendous privilege' The rededication service, organised by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), was led by Padre John Blencowe's headstone was replaced, and will be cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).Sean Phillips from the CWGC said it was "a tremendous privilege"."For evermore, visitors to Bedford House Cemetery will be able to pay their respects to Captain Blencowe at his final place of rest," he Caseworker, Alexia Clark, said: "In rededicating his grave we have reunited his mortal remains with his names, in the presence of his family, ensuring that his sacrifice will not be forgotten." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Otago Daily Times
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Paddon revved up for triple-header
Hayden Paddon and co-driver John Kennard have a busy schedule ahead. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Life is flat-tack for New Zealand rally star Hayden Paddon. The Cromwell-based ace is about to contest three very different rallies over three consecutive weekends in three countries with three different co-drivers. Rally Queensland, running July 4-6 near Gympie, north of Brisbane, has been booked in all year. Paddon is set to continue his bid to win his first Australian Rally Championship title with longtime co-driver John Kennard alongside in the PRG-run Hyundai i20 Rally 2 car. Paddon and Kennard took the lead of their respective drivers' and co-drivers' championships at the previous ARC round in Western Australia and know they face a challenge in Queensland as most of the frontrunners have considerable experience on the rally's gravel, forestry plantation roads. Two more dates unexpectedly popped up on the calendar. Paddon received an invitation to compete in the Ypres Rally in Belgium, June 28-29, an event he contested in 2013 at the start of his international career. One of the longest-running rallies in Europe, Ypres is a high-speed, all-tarmac rally that regularly attracts top international drivers. Paddon will be joined by New Zealand co-driver Jared Hudson in a Hyundai i20N Rally2 car prepared by last year's Belgian champions, BMA. Finally, just this week, a late change in the entry list for Ireland's most competitive motorsport rally, the Donegal Rally, provided Paddon with the opportunity to drive another Hyundai i20N Rally2 with co-driver Dave Moynihan. The car will be run by C&M Motorsport and the event takes place on June 20-22. Described as the ultimate three-day tarmac rally, Donegal attracts over 70,000 spectators and close to 400,000 viewers on television and online. Being the only three-day tarmac rally in Ireland and the United Kingdom, it attracts the best Irish, British and international drivers from around the globe every year. Paddon is understandably excited. "It's fantastic to be heading back to Europe for some rally action again during what will be one of the busiest three-week windows of my life," he said. "There's certainly a challenge ahead with three different cars, three different co-drivers and teams across the three events that span halfway round the globe. "Donegal and Ypres are very famous events where the locals are extremely fast on demanding stages. "Then, on our return to Australia, we are going into a rally where most of the ARC competitors are familiar with the stages from last year. "We are going to have to prepare and push hard at all three events. It's a challenge I'm definitely up for. "The dream is to try and challenge for victories across all three events, but the challenge to do that is huge. "Together with my three co-drivers and teams, I know we'll give it everything we have and try our best to keep up with the locals. "It's a unique and exciting privilege, to get outside your comfort zone and try new challenges, and for me, that is motivation to push us to try even harder." — APL
