Headlines: June 8, 2022

June 8, 2022 · The Pulse
By Kevin Holowack

The Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool at the Kinsmen Sports Centre is set to open ahead of schedule on June 22, while the Oliver and Fred Broadstock pools and the Borden natural pool will open on July 1. All neighbourhood spray parks and the City Hall fountain are now running as well. Edmonton's shortened outdoor pool season will end Aug. 31 instead of early September.
CTV News found three west-end stations selling gas for almost $1.90 per litre on the morning of June 7, marking a new high for fuel prices in Edmonton. Alberta's average gas price has risen by 15 cents per litre over the course of a week, but it is still the lowest in Canada, according to numbers from the Canadian Automobile Association.
MoneySense's 2022 report about where to buy real estate in Edmonton breaks down the best and worst neighbourhoods in which to buy property. Based on benchmark prices, value growth projections, accessibility, and the number of households with children, the report names Maplegrove, Mills Haven, and Terwillegar South as the top neighbourhoods and Heritage Valley Area, Wyeclif, and Lago Lindo as the worst.
The Edmonton Public School Board approved its school calendar for 2023-24 without days off for religious holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha unless the province amends its exam schedule.
One of the 16 Edmonton-based employees of Keywords spoke to CBC's As It Happens about forming Canada's first video-game workers' union. "We really hope that we can lead by example and show that there's really nothing to be afraid of when it comes to unionizing," said James Russwurm, who discussed concerns around entry-level wages, "crunch culture," and fair compensation in the industry.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and several councillors appeared in council chambers wearing Oilers jerseys and face paint on June 7 after losing a Battle of Alberta bet with Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. The high-profile bet also raised donations for the Kids with Cancer Society, a cause inspired by a young Oilers fan with brain cancer named Ben Stelter. "I'm just very happy that we had even more reason to cheer during the playoff series," said Gondek. "We had a boy that we were rooting for as well, and we continue to."
Chestermere-Strathmore MLA Leela Aheer, who Jason Kenney removed from cabinet last year after she criticized him, announced her entrance into the UCP leadership race. Appearing on Ryan Jespersen's Real Talk, Aheer said she is running to "be truthful about the mistakes" her party has made "because there's been plenty."