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Good morning, Calgary.
We often treat February like the "waiting room" for spring, but this week refuses to be boring. We have massive robotics tournaments, a city-wide photography takeover, and enough smoked meat to induce a coma.
We are also looking at some serious local news today—from hospital expansions to infrastructure overhauls. It seems like the whole city is under construction or in competition mode.
Speaking of competition, we have two local startups fighting for a global title, and they need your help.
Let’s get to it.
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The wait is over for the northeast. The $151-million expansion at the Peter Lougheed Centre is complete and opens to patients in late February. The upgrade adds 97 new beds, specifically targeting the bottleneck in emergency care with 28 new ER beds, plus dedicated psychiatric ICU and mental health short-stay units. The relief is overdue: the facility was built in 1988 for 40,000 annual patients but saw over 83,000 last year. Read the update
Parks Canada wants your opinion on Moraine Lake. If you have strong feelings about the shuttle buses, the private vehicle ban, or the crowds at Moraine Lake and Upper Lake Louise, speak up now. Parks Canada has launched a public feedback portal to shape the visitor strategy for the next 10 years. They are specifically looking for input on managing high-traffic areas like Paradise Valley to balance access with conservation. The survey is open until March 9. Have your say
Two Calgary startups need your vote. ResVR and Arbor are finalists in the Global Startup Awards (North American Region), and they need community support to win. Here is how to vote: Go to the link below, find ResVR under "Startup of the Year" and Arbor under "Youth Startup of the Year." Public voting closes on February 17, and a win here advances them to the global stage. Vote here
The water utility might go corporate. The City’s Executive Committee voted to move forward with a plan to turn our water management into a municipally controlled corporation. This is the major administrative response to the Bearspaw feeder main breaks. The move is designed to separate water management from general city operations, theoretically allowing for better asset management and faster repairs. The final vote hits City Council on February 17. Read the report
The Free Fare Zone is on the chopping block. Enjoying the free ride between City Hall and Kirby? It might be ending. City Council is reviewing the 7th Avenue Free Fare Zone due to safety concerns, noting that the free status creates a "compliance blind spot" where peace officers can't check fares. With TD Bank pulling sponsorship early, the city is footing the bill, and Mayor Farkas is questioning if the cost is worth it. A final report is due in June. Read the details
Neo Financial secures $68.5M to battle the big banks. The Calgary fintech unicorn just raised another $68.5 million from Canadian investors, including AIMCo. Unlike previous rounds focused on rapid customer growth, this cash is specifically for a "securitization strategy." In plain English: Neo is positioning itself to act more like a major bank to fund its credit products more efficiently. See the news
This is Bifur. He is a two-month-old Pit Bull Terrier mix weighing in at 15 pounds.
Despite his small size, he is brave and adventurous. When he isn't exploring, he enjoys lounging on his bed or rearranging his blankets to get them just right.
He is also a big fan of giving out puppy kisses. He is looking for a forever family to share his loyalty with.
How to adopt: Book an appointment or walk in at the Calgary Humane Society. See his profile
Prairie Dog Brewing
The first thing that hits you when you walk into their industrial space near Chinook Centre is the smell. It is the heavy, promising scent of hardwood smoke, and it comes directly from "Clifford"—the massive red smoker sitting proudly in the kitchen (the largest of its kind in Western Canada).
While they brew excellent beer, the real reason to go is the meat. Their Alberta Certified Angus Beef brisket is coated in a simple salt and pepper rub and slow-smoked until it has a proper peppery bark and renders down perfectly on the tray.
It isn't a place for small appetites. You order by weight, sit at a communal table, and eat until you regret wearing jeans. The vibe is unpretentious and loud. It is easily one of the tastiest spots in the city.
Where: 105D 58 Ave SE
When: Open daily from 11 a.m.; check the website for current closing times. Check the menu
Thursday
Block Heater Kickoff | The Folk Fest’s winter edition ignites tonight at its new home, The Confluence (formerly Fort Calgary). Get passes
Exposure Photography Festival | The city-wide takeover begins today. You can find exhibits in galleries across the city all month, including the "North West Showcase" at Contemporary Calgary. More info
The Boss of It All (Thu–Sat) | It’s the final weekend to catch this corporate satire at The Theatre. Shows at 7:30 p.m. Tickets
Friday
Wranglers vs. Roadrunners | The Wranglers host Tucson at the Dome. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. Tickets
Hansel & Gretel | Calgary Opera performs the Humperdinck classic at the Jubilee. 7:30 p.m. Get tickets
Winter Frost Indigenous Market | The "Authentically Indigenous" market takes over the Chinese Cultural Centre starting today at 4:00 p.m. Schedule
Mecha Mayhem | The BMO Centre hosts one of the world’s largest robotics tournaments. Runs through Sunday. Info
My Great Work | Spanish artist David Espinosa creates a "blockbuster" production using only miniature figures on a tabletop. Runs at cSPACE Marda Loop at 7:30 p.m. Tickets
Saturday
Wranglers Rematch | Round two against Tucson at the Dome. Earlier start time at 6:00 p.m. Tickets
Sunday
Jazz at the Bella | The Calgary Jazz Orchestra brings the strings for "The Art of Romance." 7:00 p.m. Get tickets
Sunday Spins at Studio Bell | Celebrate Black History Month with DJ Suppa D spinning classic and new soca in the main hall at 12 pm. Info
Studio Ghibli Workshop | A hands-on "trinket tray" workshop at the Marda Loop Community Association. Runs 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tickets
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Hey! Driver | King Eddy | Thu, 7:30 PM Info
Felipe Wolfe | The Blues Can | Thu, 5:00 PM Info
Smoke From The Cannons Mouth | The Blues Can | Thu, 8:00 PM Info
Void Souls w/ Tori Morley | Palomino Smokehouse | Fri, 8:00 PM Tickets
BirdBelly & Mallory Chipman | King Eddy | Fri, 8:30 PM Tickets
Taurus Ranch Band | Ironwood Stage | Fri, 8:00 PM Info
Steve Pineo | The Blues Can | Fri, 9:00 PM Info
Black Mastiff w/ Gone Cosmic | Palomino Smokehouse | Sat, 8:00 PM Tickets
S.K. Wellington | King Eddy | Sat, 8:30 PM Tickets
Rev Frank w/ The Wandering V's | Ironwood Stage | Sat, 8:00 PM Info
Bluegrass Sessions | Ironwood Stage | Sat, 2:00 PM Info
Brisket Smoking Workshop | Prairie Dog Brewing | Sun, 11:00 AM Register
Sunday Blues Jam | The Blues Can | Sun, 3:00 PM & 8:00 PM Info
Super Bowl LX Party | Palomino Smokehouse | Sun, 2:00 PM Info
Have a great rest of the week.
P.S. Forward this to someone who claims they make the "best BBQ in the city" (humble them).