Communities in Bloom judges coming

Jasper is seeking a high score in this year’s Communities in Bloom competition as judges are expected to arrive on July 28.

In 2007 Jasper received five out of five blooms – the highest rating possible under the provincial campaign that encourages civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification.

The municipality is encouraging Jasperites to make final inspections of their yards this weekend, including nearby sidewalks and backlanes, and to keep an eye out for any garbage laying around. 

Judges Gillian Evans and Linda Tomlinson will be welcomed to Jasper by local dignitaries including mayor Richard Ireland and past Chamber president Todd Noble.

The judging will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, with the official tour beginning at 9:30 a.m.

This year 28 different Alberta communities will be judged, including Jasper. 

Judges rate each community based on its tidiness, environmental awareness, natural and cultural heritage conservation, landscaped areas, floral displays, turf and ground covers, tree and urban forest management and community involvement.

Winners of the provincial edition each year are invited to the following year’s national edition of the Communities in Bloom competition. 

Santa’s coming to town... in July

Children who can’t wait until December to see their favourite man in red can go to the Jasper Activity Centre on July 31 for a chance to skate with Santa.

The event is being organized by Santa’s Anonymous, the food and toy drive that collects items to ensure Jasperites-in-need experience a merry Christmas. This is the first such summer event for Santa’s Anonymous, which hopes the event will enhance its winter campaign.

Santa will skate with children between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Donations will be accepted at the event.

Cavell Road open to all traffic

The Mount Edith Cavell Road is now open to all traffic – a week ahead of the July 29 deadline.

As of Tuesday, July 20, the day-use area is open, following the completion of heli-sling operations that were using the area as a base for construction. 

This means there is now access to the Tonquin Valley Astoria trailhead, the Mount Edith Cavell Youth Hostel and the Mount Edith Cavell climbing routes. 

Crews will remain at the day-use area to finish the last phase of construction, but all users are welcome. 

The Cavell Meadows trail is to remain closed due to snow conditions to protect sensitive vegetation in the area. 

The Path of the Glacier trail is now partially open, but work continues on some parts. Repaving, drainage upgrades and widening of parts of the trail continue, as well as ashphalt replacement, erosion repairs and stair and bridge construction.

From July 26 to 29 the Mount Edith Cavell Road may be closed between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. for construction on the Path of the Glacier trail.