Mayor wants Calgary park named after 'alderbroad'

Calgary's mayor supports a plan to honour longtime former alderman Sue Higgins with a park in her name.

City hall is considering renaming Southland Park, a popular spot for dog owners at Southland Drive and Deerfoot Trail S.E., to Sue Higgins Park. On Tuesday a council committee approved the renaming, which still requires approval from council.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi said he recently had a chance to meet Higgins.

"I think this is a really, really nice thing to do for someone who gave so much to the city under really difficult circumstances."

Higgins was a single mom with three kids who was an alderman when it was considered a part-time job, he said.

"[She was] just working her heart out for the people of this city and I think this is the least we can do as a community for her."

The self-named "alderbroad" was first elected in 1977 and she retired in 2001. She was an alderman for 21 years, losing her bid for mayor to Ralph Klein in 1983.

Higgins, who is now living in a long-term care facility, is battling lung cancer.