Squares across the world serve as the literal and figurative hubs of activity for residents and visitors, but few have been able to serve as both so effectively as Sir Winston Churchill Square in Edmonton, Alberta. With numerous places to relax, eat, shop and play while also incorporating numerous monuments and activities, the space has been able to attract the attention of people across Canada to drive a notable economic and cultural impact on the city.
Creating a “Civic Centre” in Edmonton
Edmonton was incorporated as a city in 1904 and in those early days the main square was Market Square, located just to the south of present-day Churchill Square. Plans to develop the square into hub of community activity began in 1912, but it wasn’t until the market was moved to a different location in 1965 that the area was able to be redeveloped to create a “civic centre”. That effort saw the construction of a new art gallery and library to accompany the new city hall, along with a reinvigoration of the area surrounding the former Market Square.
Named in honor of Great Britain’s wartime prime minister and hero Sir Winston Churchill when he died in 1965, the new square became the heart of Edmonton’s downtown. Few buildings resided in the area in the 1950s, but by the 1960’s dreams by city councilors of a civic centre slowly became reality. The Centennial Library was erected in 1966, and additions such as the Francis Winspear Centre and the Art Gallery of Alberta went up years later. New structures were added to the square in 2004 for the celebration of Edmonton’s Centennial Celebrations that included an amphitheater, a waterfall and several structures for retail space.
Today, bells that ring from the Friendship Tower can be heard throughout the square. The centerpiece of the square is a bronze statue of Winston Churchill, unveiled by Lady Soames on May 24, 1989. That monument is just one of the many attractions that Churchill Square has enabled for visitors though.
Engagement and Experiences
Churchill Square has numerous features that have allowed visitors from across the city and nation to have unique experiences. They range from large format chess and checkers to table tennis and basketball courts to monuments and events.
In terms of physical features, the EPCOR Amphitheatre is a place where visitors can sit and watch events and entertainment. The amphitheater can seat up to 500 people while the Square has standing room suitable for up to 12,000 people. The Centennial Pavilion houses the Edmonton Shop on the Square, the Observation Deck, TIX on the Square, and pedway access to the LRT’s Churchill Station. Nearby, the Epcor Waterfall, titled “Light Venturi”, was created by Terry Frost and operates from late May until early September. It contains three light tubes representing the Northern Lights.
In addition to the Winston Churchill statue, the square also contains numerous monuments. “Catching Neutrinos” was created by Darci Mallon. It is a 10-foot high cone made from solid granite. The cone highlights historic headlines from the Edmonton Journal over the past 100 years. The square also contains a cenotaph with dedications to soldiers from World War I, World War II and the Korean War.
Churchill Squares plays host to a large majority of festivals and events including the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival, Edmonton Fashion Week, The Works Art & Design Festival, Taste of Edmonton, Cariwest and the annual Pride Festival. It is also home to free weekday programming (Monday to Friday) by the Edmonton Arts Council. These events have helped to drive and enable a major economic impact for Edmonton as a whole.
Defining a Community
There are several eateries located around the Square. Additionally, TIX on the Square Box Office and Store allows visitors to shop for locally made gifts and artwork, as well as purchase tickets to the various performances and shows that take place in the city. It is a not-for-profit community box office and store owned and operated by the Edmonton Arts Council.
Churchill Square has also become an important element in guides and tours of Edmonton, showcasing what it can mean for a space to become an attraction in and of itself. Numerous guides to the city call out the events and activities that take place in Churchill Square no matter the season. Hosting one of the events in Churchill Square is just a matter of going through an application process.
While Churchill Square is not the name of any street in Edmonton, the square is used as the address for buildings facing it. They are numbered clockwise starting in the north to the point that buildings have addresses such as “2 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton,” “9 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton”, etc. The square also makes for a prominent stop on the Edmonton Transit System. Additionally, benches and other elements of the square have been sponsored by specific donors, creating another important means of economic impact.
Churchill Square has been recognized as a great place to enjoy a relaxing lunch break, purchase an item that can only be bought in Edmonton, or take in a one-of-a-kind event or landmark. All of these elements have allowed the space to create a powerful legacy for the entire city.
Reinvigoration and Beyond
Churchill Square has come to define the downtown area of Edmonton and continues to redefine the area. Like other squares that have come to personify an entire city, it’s difficult to consider what Edmonton would look like without Churchill Square. The reinvigoration has enabled it to serve the city and region well in the present and will continue to do so in the future.
