Churchill Square (Edmonton) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Churchill Square
City square
Churchill Square looking towards City Hall
Features:	amphitheatre
Surface:	paving stones
Dedicated to:	Sir Winston Churchill
Owner:	City of Edmonton
Location:	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Location of Churchill Square in Edmonton

Churchill Square is a large public space in downtown Edmonton, Alberta. It's officially named Sir Winston Churchill Square. This busy square hosts many exciting festivals and events throughout the year. Some popular events include the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival, The Works Art & Design Festival, and A Taste of Edmonton. It's a central spot for fun and community gatherings in the city.

Exploring Churchill Square's Location

Churchill Square is easy to find in downtown Edmonton. It is surrounded by several streets. To the north is 102A Avenue. To the west is 100 Street. Harbin Road (102 Avenue) is to the south, and Rue Hull (99 Street) is to the east. In 2009, 102A Avenue was closed to cars. This made it much safer and easier for people to walk to Edmonton City Hall.

Important Buildings Around the Square

Many important buildings are located around Churchill Square. These include:

• Edmonton City Hall: This is the main government building for the city. It is located to the north.
• Law Courts: Where legal cases are handled, found to the north-east.
• Art Gallery of Alberta: A place to see amazing art, also to the north-east.
• Francis Winspear Centre for Music: A beautiful hall for concerts and music, located to the east.
• Citadel Theatre: A popular theatre for plays and performances, to the south-east.
• Stanley A. Milner Library: The main public library branch, found to the south.
• Edmonton City Centre: A large shopping mall, located to the west.

The Churchill Statue

In the middle of the square, there is a life-size bronze statue of Winston Churchill. He was a famous British leader during World War II. The statue was revealed on May 24, 1989. It is a copy of a statue made by a sculptor named Oscar Nemon.

A Look at Churchill Square's History

Churchill Square has an interesting past. Edmonton's first main square was called Market Square. It was located just south of where Churchill Square is today. The Stanley A. Milner Library now stands on that spot.

The City Market's Early Days

The City Market started in Market Square in 1900. At first, it was an outdoor market. Over the years, there were plans to build a "civic centre" in the area. In 1914, a building was made for the market to move indoors. However, vendors and customers did not use it. The market returned to its original outdoor spot. The city then helped build a shelter for the market. From 1915, the market moved indoors. By 1920, only extra stalls were outside. The market was a very important part of Edmonton life from 1916 to 1965. It then moved to 97 Street.

Creating a Civic Centre

After the market moved, the area was redeveloped. The goal was to create a "civic centre." A new art gallery and library were built. These joined the new city hall, which had been built in 1957. This helped shape the Churchill Square we see today.

Protests and Renovations

In 1969, a woman named Lillian Shirt protested against unfair housing rules. She set up a tipi in the square. Her protest lasted 12 days. Other people joined her, setting up tents and another tipi.

Churchill Square has been updated several times. The most recent big renovation finished in 2004. This was just in time for Edmonton's 100th birthday celebrations. During these changes, some green space was removed. New structures were added, including an amphitheatre and a waterfall. There are also buildings for shops, like the Three Bananas Cafe.

Getting to Churchill Square

Churchill Square is easy to reach using public transportation.

LRT and Bus Connections

The square is located right above the Churchill LRT Station. The Edmonton Transit System (ETS) also has a bus transfer point nearby at CN Tower. Buses from other areas, like St. Albert Transit and Strathcona County Transit, also stop near Churchill Square.

Future LRT Expansion

The new Valley Line LRT is currently being built. This new line will expand Churchill Station. It will add an above-ground platform on the south side of the square, on 102 Avenue. This will make it even easier to get to Churchill Square by train.

Buildings Facing Churchill Square

Even though Churchill Square isn't a street name, buildings facing it use "Sir Winston Churchill Square" as part of their address. Here are some of the main buildings and their addresses: