| CITY OVERVIEW
Stay in Edmonton
|
Edmonton, famous for previously holding both the World Athletic Championships and the Commonwealth Games, is a very modern and growing city that is considered the oil capital of Canada. It has a skyline full of glass and concrete buildings and a transit system the envy of many other North American cities. Edmonton is a tourist’s delight as there are many things on offer – old and new – before and after going to see the Oilers. Maybe the nicest thing to see when visiting Edmonton is south of the Saskatchewan River in the trendy 19th century village called Old Strathcona. It is a place made for pedestrians and contains plenty of small historical shops to browse through or just sit and have a break. Another historical recreation is Fort Edmonton Park, which consists of various streetscapes representing different eras in Edmonton’s past. Edmonton is just as renowned these days as having the world's largest shopping and entertainment mall. The West Edmonton Mall is 48 hectares large and houses over 800 shops, a man-made beach with waves for surfing, and a skating rink. Edmonton’s Space and Science Centre also houses Canada's largest planetarium, with the obligatory IMAX theatre, and an observatory tower located with it. |
| GETTING THERE
Fly to Edmonton Within USA
|
Edmonton International Airport lies about 30km south of the city. Shuttle services best link the City to the Airport. The VIA Rail Station is at 104th Avenue and 100th Street in downtown. Greyhound buses are located nearby at 10324 103rd St. The Edmonton Transit System (ETS) operates buses and Light Rail Transit (LRT). The LRT connects downtown Edmonton with Northlands Park to the north and the University of Alberta to the south. Beneath the downtown core stretches a network of pedestrian walkways called Pedways connecting hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls. They are a great way of moving around in winter. |
| NHL
EDMONTON OILERS |
The Edmonton Oilers began life in the NHL in 1979-80, although their team history goes back several years before then. The Oilers won 5 Stanley Cups in the 1980’s, behind the greatest hockey player of all time, Wayne Gretzky. The 90’s were not as kind after Gretzky left for the LA Kings, although the Oilers have been regular playoff contenders since 1996-97. |
| SKYREACH CENTER | The
Skyreach
Center hosts the Oilers and is located at 7424 118th
Avenue Edmonton. Opened in 1974, the Center has a capacity of 17,000 for
ice hockey. It is renowned as the quietest stadium in the NHL, probably
because of the educated and respectful fans that exist in Edmonton. Home
during the glory days of Wayne Gretzky, the Center is also referred to as
‘Northlands’ Coliseum. From
downtown, take the ETS light rail transit line to Coliseum Station, which
is adjacent to the Center. |
