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Legislature Grounds Redevelopment

Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The government is again considering plans to redo the Legislature Grounds. As the local MLA I’ve not been kept in the loop, so I’m hoping that the Minister of Infrastructure can answer some of the questions that have been brought to me. To the Minister of Infrastructure: what is the budget and the timeline of this project?

The Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister of Infrastructure.

Mr. Hayden: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have undertaken a study to see what possibilities exist for the grounds. I’d like to thank the hon. member because the hon. member was involved in the committee work that initially was undertaken to take a look at it. We have an opportunity with this to actually be a very core anchor piece to the Capital Boulevard, and there are some amazing opportunities, but we have to study what possibilities are there, and of course we can only do what we can afford.

Ms Blakeman: This is the committee that only met three times and then paid themselves a whole bunch of money? Surely not.

The Royal Lawn Bowling Club, which has been on the Legislature Grounds since 1918, has not been encouraged to stay. My question to the minister is: can his department work with them to find an alternate space from other provincially owned land, and will they help them to relocate?

Mr. Hayden: Mr. Speaker, I’d be very happy to look into that. The statement was made that they haven’t been encouraged to stay, but I haven’t heard that they’ve been encouraged to leave either.

Ms Blakeman: Again to the Minister of Infrastructure. Given that other community leagues were consulted, I’m wondering why the Downtown Edmonton Community League, in whose boundaries the Legislature Grounds lie, were not consulted on the plans for renewal.

The Deputy Speaker: The hon. minister.

Mr. Hayden: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to make sure that the member was able to be seated before I stood.

Mr. Speaker, we are undertaking a study right now that’s been budgeted for. The information was released on that, and of course as soon as we see what possibilities exist and some of the options that are available, we’ll consult with the community and with the city because I know they are very excited. The mayor has spoken very highly of what we’re undertaking.