(This column was published in the North Shore News on Nov. 26, 2003)
Edmonton hasn't surrendered its streets
By Leo Knight
Sitting in the stands at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on Saturday, watching yesteryear's hockey heroes in a pretend version of pond hockey in front of 57,000 of their closest friends, I was vibrating so bad from the -20 C or so temperature, I thought my fillings were going to shake loose.
The City of Edmonton threw a party and people came from all over Canada, and the world for the event. And what a party it was.
There wasn't a hotel room to be had anywhere. Even people who didn't have the toughest ticket in the country, came to soak up the atmosphere, to see the Stanley Cup prominently displayed at the pinnacle of the broad staircase at city hall or to hang out at the Westin Hotel where the Spirit of Edmonton, a community group, put on a massive celebration of our national sport.
Thousands of people attended the free event over the weekend. On Friday night, during the time I was there, I don't know how many people were in the main ballroom, but it was stuffed to the gills. And, Festoons! They were serving alcohol. They had bands, and even a casino. Amazingly enough, the sky didn't fall even though there weren't hordes of police to keep a lid on the festivities. Apparently, people in a civilized society can gather in large groups, party while consuming alcohol and not act like animals.
Across the street at Sherlock Holmes Pub, many of the famous names and faces of hockey's ruling class held court or simply stopped by for a quiet pint. Ron MacLean of Hockey Night in Canada dropped in as did Don Meehan, the head of the NHL Player's Association. He didn't, of course, announce a deal with the owners, but still, the atmosphere was electric.
In the midst of the festivities, Terry Vaughan, the famed wide-receiver of the Edmonton Eskimos, dropped by carrying the Grey Cup, won the previous weekend on a frosty field in Regina. He passed it over the bar to Patrick Delaney, the affable owner of the pub, who filled the oldest trophy in professional sports with beer from his taps. The venerable old trophy then got passed around the room for the delirious fans to sip from.
On game day, the temperature dropped so far even the thermometers were shivering. But nothing could dim the spirits of the assembled masses. The appearance of Gretzky, Lafleur, Robinson, Kuri and the rest of the old Boys of Winter, while warming the hearts of the assembled, could not drive away the chill of the prairie winter.
There was even a streaker, apparently from Vancouver so I'm told. He ran from the stands towards the rink wearing only a T-shirt and one sock, demonstrating his shortcomings for all to see. Or perhaps it was just shrinkage from the cold.
Edmonton police and stadium security had a difficult time trying to lasso the guy, who was trying to evade capture by diving and sliding on his stomach down those plastic sideline advertising things. It's amazing that particular appendages didn't freeze solid and break off.
But despite the smuggled flasks, the flowing taps and the coffee-warmed Bailey's, there was no real trouble. I wonder if it might be possible for us to say the same had a similar event been held in our city?
For years we have had a fireworks display at Canada Place on July 1. This year it was cancelled because of security concerns. Worries that the yobbos and lager louts would spoil an event designed for families and the community enjoyment. But we let the brain dead idiots win. Why?
It's puzzling really. Yet it is probably an indicator of the statements made by Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell last week in his discussion with Vancouver Sun columnist Pete McMartin, when he essentially said there was nothing to be done about the rising property crime, drug addicts and aggressive panhandlers in Vancouver.
Apparently we take the same attitude about drunken, loutish behaviour and cancel events rather than dealing with the problem. Surrender has become the prevailing attitude around city hall it seems.
We will be hosting the world at the 2010 Winter Olympics and one thing is for sure, we cannot continue with the same attitude or disaster will ensue.
Campbell may be holding a bill in his hands and claiming five nines, but I call his bluff. We can and must take control of our streets back.
"It's the people that make the town special," said Mark Messier on Saturday, talking about his hometown and the job done there on the Heritage Classic. Indeed it is. But, people must be willing to do what it takes to have a special city.
The people have not surrendered in Edmonton. I see no reason to do so here.
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