Headlines: June 11, 2024

June 11, 2024 · The Pulse
By Mariam Ibrahim

The City of Edmonton will spend an additional $242 million on the Capital Line South LRT extension, increasing the total cost to $1.34 billion due to inflation and economic pressures, Postmedia reported. The extension, covering 4.5 kilometres from Century Park to Ellerslie Road, includes new stations at Twin Brooks and Heritage Valley. Despite scaling back the project last year, the city now needs to borrow $179 million, raising total debt to $584.6 million. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi stressed the project's necessity for reducing traffic and retaining federal and provincial funding. City councillors approved the increased budget during a private meeting, sparking transparency concerns.
The City of Edmonton has expanded its Water Bottle Filling Stations Program to 27 locations to support vulnerable residents during extreme heat. The stations will be in operation until Sept. 30. The program began with five stations in 2021 to provide safe, free drinking water to those most at risk, including outdoor workers and vulnerable community members.
The Dovercourt Community League in Edmonton will receive more than $1.2 million from the federal government's Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program to enhance its energy efficiency. The funding will support the installation of solar panels, LED lighting, and other upgrades, reducing the facility's energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Edmonton's River Valley Park System has been named a finalist for the Attraction of the Year category at the 2024 Edmonton Tourism Awards. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and other city officials emphasized the park system's role in promoting healthy living and economic benefits through diverse activities and attractions.
Edmonton sports fans can use their pre-purchased Edmonton Elks game day tickets for free access to Edmonton Transit Service on game days, with four Park & Ride locations available. The Valley Line Southeast LRT also offers convenient access to Commonwealth Stadium for Elks games. The City is also encouraging fans heading to the Edmonton Oilers watch parties outside Rogers Place to use public transportation.
Rogers Communications and the NHL are partnering to host free concerts featuring Our Lady Peace and Shania Twain outside Rogers Place before Games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup finals between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. Our Lady Peace will perform on June 13, and Shania Twain will perform June 15. Both concerts are scheduled for 4pm at Scotiabank Fan Park and are open to the public with no tickets required.
The Campus Food Bank at the University of Alberta has reported a significant rise in demand for its services due to food inflation, leading to a cash deficit and forcing it to draw from emergency savings. The food bank is exploring cost-cutting measures like affordable food purchasing and free food sources. It has already paused cooking classes and adjusted snack station funding to manage costs.
The Alberta Council of Women's Shelters announced that its longtime executive director Jan Reimer will be stepping down from her current role. Reimer has been with the organization for 23 years and was instrumental in its growth over the years. The organization is in the process of recruiting a new executive director.
Global News interviewed Edmonton Oilers superfan known as Banjo Guy, who has been a fixture in the stands at the first two games of the Stanley Cup finals in Florida. His get-up, including elaborate blue and orange face paint, takes several hours to complete before each game.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have made a friendly wager on the outcome of the Stanley Cup finals between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, with the loser sending local spirits to the winner. Smith, who has already won bets in the last two playoff rounds, proposed the wager before Game 1, which the Panthers won 3-0.
Support for the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup finals has united federal politicians in Ottawa, who are setting aside political differences to gather and watch the games together. Speaker of the House Greg Fergus hosted a hockey night in his office, continuing a tradition on Parliament Hill. "Even if we're not on the same political team we can be on the same sports team," said Edmonton NDP MP Heather McPherson, an avid Oilers fan.
As the Edmonton Oilers compete for their first Stanley Cup since 1990, former Oilers star Esa Tikkanen is auctioning off four of his five championship rings, keeping only his 1985 ring. Tikkanen, who won four Cups with the Oilers and one with the New York Rangers, said he is selling the rings because they've been in storage and his children aren't interested in them. The auction has already drawn substantial bids.