The Alberta Government is moving forward with preliminary design, environmental review and community consultation on water diversion and other projects along the Elbow and Highwood Rivers.

"Our government is committed to ensuring Albertans are protected as much as possible from future flood events while at the same time respecting taxpayers dollars," said Robin Campbell, minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.

Through collaboration with Calgarians, the City has decided on eight sites to construct new skateparks as part of the Skateboard Amenities Strategy.

Chinook Park Kelvin Grove/Eagle Ridge, Huntington Hills and Southwood will see a skatepark built within a year.

"We have been working closely with the Calgary Association of Skateboard Enthusiasts, or CASE, for many years developing the Skateboard Amenities Strategy and earlier this year we held open houses to gather feedback from skateboard enthusiasts and the general public," said Greg Steinraths, manager of Sport and Partnership Development, Recreation.

Office vacancy in Calgary's downtown is up compared to last year.

A report from Colliers said vacancy in the downtown was at 8.13 per cent in the first quarter of this year, an increase over the 4.35 per cent recorded in the first quarter of last year.

CREBNow's three-part series examining the news, community and culture of cycling in the city

Even when the snow falls hard and fast, there are still those who brave Calgary's snowy streets on their bicycles for their weekly commute to work.

Before moving downtown about a month ago, Eric Westrum made the downtown commute on his bicycle — utilizing John Laurie Boulevard and the 10th Street bike lane from his home in Brentwood — year round.

CREBNow's three-part series examining the news, community and culture of cycling in the city

With a proposed network of downtown cycle tracks unveiled, Calgary City Council will vote On April 28 to determine whether or not the $11.5 million pilot project will get the go ahead.

City Transportation said the 12-month pilot allows time to study how the new network affects people traveling in areas pegged for cycle tracks, will connect existing pathways so more people can utilize them and will provide the same function and safety as a permanent cycle track would.

Communities surrounding Calgary see double-digit sales growth in the first quarter of the year

Getting more for less can mean a lot to a first time homebuyer.

When it came to the purchase of their first home, engaged couple Kristie Bogle and Erin Dorscht set their sights on Bogle's hometown of Airdrie.

"I just kept seeing all these signs, crazy cheap new developments throughout [Airdrie] and I came home one day and was like 'Look how cheap this is compared to what we're paying in Calgary'," said Dorscht.

In their Spring Market Trends Report, RE/MAX found Calgary's harsh winter didn't keep people from entering the home market.

"Calgary experienced a red-hot seller's market in the first two months of the year with listings 30 per cent lower than where they would be in a balanced market," said the report.