Edmonton Ice District next target for public safety team

Edmonton policeofficers say they are already thinking of ways to ensure the new Ice District and Rogers Arena is a safe place for people to enjoy.

Safety was a main topic of discussion at an Edmontonconference on city nightlife, wherepolice officers and business owners discussed ways of making entertainment areas successful for patrons and businesses alike.

Jasper and Whyte Avenues are being used as examples.

"When you look atWhyteAvenue, that wasn't meant to be an entertainment strip," said Acting Sgt. Joseph Allan.

"We hadto figure out how to get Xnumber of people off of WhyteAvenue at 2 a.m. with Xnumber of cabs or Xnumber of busses."

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Transportation is also a big issue for nightclub owners, including Chris Round, who manages numerous strip clubs in Edmonton.

Round, who is alsopart of the Responsible Hospitality Industry Association, saidits important for law enforcement and city leaders to collaborate directly with industry members on issues like public safety, crime andtransportation.

"Especially being in Edmonton, where its minus 40 and at 2 a.m. you have to kick everyone out in the street and there's not enough taxi cabs," Round said.

Discussions from the conference are likely to influence plans for the newIce District opening in the fall.

"We'regonnahave challenges and there'sgonnabe growing pains," Allan said.

"It's something that North America has never seen before, so all eyes are going to be on Edmonton."