The Pulse
May 22, 2026

This week's batch of calls for public engagement includes a discussion about potentially expanding the Devon Public Library, as well as surveys on Parkland County's strategic plan and Edmonton's downtown policy.

The Town of Devon has launched a survey about community life, services, and future priorities, with a particular focus on a proposed expansion or relocation of the library. There will be a community conversation specifically about the library on May 27; the town is asking residents to sign up by May 25.

The municipality has proposed either expanding its current town hall downtown or relocating to the former Esso Imperial Oil Building on the eastern edge of Devon. The town acquired the building in 2016, and there have been many proposals for what could be housed there. A task force with local volunteers experienced in construction, infrastructure, and safety advised that the building could be turned into a mixed-use town hall and municipal building.

The survey describes the library as a key hub for downtown. However, a potential expansion is constrained because the town rents the space. Meanwhile, the Esso building requires extensive renovations and upgrades and is not located centrally, but it would allow for a much larger library space. The survey asks residents if they would still visit downtown as much if the library was moved, as downtown revitalization is one of council's strategic priorities. It also asks what method of transportation residents use to get there, and how their use would change if the library were expanded or relocated.

The library's board said the existing library is 8,000 square feet, about 3,000 square feet smaller than it needs. It has been upgraded for accessibility, but those changes have reduced how much shelving can fit in the space, the board said. More space is needed to deliver a modern library experience with study rooms, children's programming space, more computers, and a larger program room, the board added. "As the population grows, investing in a new library facility would protect access to an essential public service and ensure the community has flexible, accessible space that can meet changing needs over the long term," board chair Joan M. Becker wrote.

Expanding the current location at a one-time cost of $400,000 would involve a 4% property tax increase in 2027 and additional rent for the added space in future years. Relocating would come with a 6% increase due to a much larger one‑time construction and purchase cost — about $7.5 million, to be repaid over 30 years — and ongoing costs of owning and maintaining the entire building.

For several years now, the library has put on a Fun Run with a partial goal of providing "financial assistance to the Town for the expansion, improvement, or replacement of the current library." This year's edition will take place on May 24.

• EPCOR will construct a new substation and transmission lines in northeast Edmonton, starting this summer, to boost the city's electricity capacity. Approved at a cost of $398 million, the project is one of Edmonton's largest power grid upgrades. Construction will happen near Fort Road and the Yellowhead Freeway and is expected to finish by 2029. Monthly electricity bills may increase by $0.25 during peak project times. The Alberta Utilities Commission has approved the project.
• Capital Line South LRT construction will significantly affect the Twin Brooks neighbourhood, as ongoing work closes roads and alters bus routes throughout the area. Residents are advised to prepare for disruptions, including potential delays in commutes. The new LRT extension aims to improve public transportation options in the city but has raised concerns among locals regarding increased traffic and noise levels during the construction phase. City officials are working to mitigate these issues and have scheduled regular updates.
• The Edmonton Police Service and the Alberta government will open a stabilization centre to help people in drug or mental health crises. The centre aims to provide immediate safety, medical assessment, and connection to recovery services, reducing pressure on emergency departments. Some advocates have raised concerns about detainment duration and post-release care.
• The Edmonton Police Service, in collaboration with the U.S. Secret Service and other partners, has thwarted $45 million in global scams since July 2025. Using "ethical hackers," known as "scam baiters," the team disrupted scams targeting victims worldwide, including seniors and individuals approached through fake online relationships. Police Chief Warren Driechel emphasized the need for multinational efforts to combat these sophisticated fraud schemes.
• The Edmonton Riverhawks have unveiled a new Indigenous logo to celebrate their May 29 Indigenous Celebration home opener. Designed by artist Conrad Plews, the logo emphasizes Indigenous culture with Cree syllabics. The team said that 20% of merchandise sales and proceeds from jersey auctions will support the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society. The event will include a Cree-language broadcast by The Raven Radio Network's Darrell Stranger and Wayne Jackson at RE/MAX Field.
• Premier Danielle Smith announced a Cabinet shuffle, appointing Jason Nixon as the new finance minister ahead of a potential separatist referendum. Nixon, who replaces Nathan Horner, will oversee Alberta's fiscal management as oil prices fluctuate. The shuffle includes shifting health responsibilities, with Nathan Neudorf and Justin Wright taking new roles, and Adriana LaGrange moving to hospital and surgical services. Agriculture Minister Tara Sawyer is a new addition to Cabinet.
• Former Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is taking a break from coaching after being fired from Edmonton's NHL team. Despite available positions in other cities, Knoblauch, 47, plans to focus on family stability, prioritizing his children's education in Edmonton after years of relocating.

On this day in 1965, the Little Klondike Queen was offering hour-long cruises on the North Saskatchewan River.

Paddleboats were an important part of early Edmonton, when the North Saskatchewan was a major transportation route for both people and cargo. The city even had a small boat-building industry, led by John Walter, whose company built two paddleboats: The City of Edmonton and the City of Strathcona. Railroads and a devastating flood in 1915 spelled the end for Walter's boat-building business, and riverboats soon largely disappeared from the waters of the North Saskatchewan.

Ray Collins wanted to see them come back. The businessman had grown up fascinated by the steamwheelers that used to run on the river, and he was determined to revive them. In 1964, Collins commissioned a 15-metre paddler that he called the Little Klondike Queen, which would offer short cruises along the river several times a day. The 50-minute tours would start and end near the Storyland Zoo (now the Valley Zoo), "rain or shine." There was even a snack bar promising Gold Nugget sandwiches (with no further hint as to what those might be).

Collins had a real passion for paddlers. But passion doesn't always mean success. The Little Klondike Queen was difficult to keep afloat, in terms both nautical and financial. It would often get stuck on sandbars and silt on the river, and it was expensive to run. It lasted for about two years before the business folded.

For a couple of years after that, the boat sat beached on the Big Island, protected by little more than a rusty fence and a few Keep Out signs. But that wouldn't be the end of the boat. The exact details are unclear, but the Little Klondike Queen was eventually sold and moved to Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan, where it was restored and renamed Neo-watin ("no wind"). The boat would continue offering lake cruises for at least a decade afterwards.

Collins didn't give up on his dream of returning paddleboats to Edmonton. Almost 30 years after first launching the Little Klondike Queen, he had another riverboat built, this time called the Edmonton Queen. He would see it float down the North Saskatchewan again, but not as its owner. The Edmonton Queen was scheduled to be launched in 1993, but it was delayed when the boat-builder refused to release it, citing an outstanding debt of $1.35 million. Collins's company eventually went bankrupt, and the boat was sold off.

It would eventually launch in 1995. But much like the Little Klondike Queen, it has seen its share of rough waters. The paddler has changed ownership a few times and spent a fair amount of time in dry dock. Its current owner is Eric Warnke, a successful tech entrepreneur who bought the boat in 2024. It has been a going concern since then, notwithstanding a hiccup on Mother's Day, and tickets are on sale now for Father's Day Weekend and Canada Day, in addition to regular cruises.

This clipping was found on Vintage Edmonton, a daily look at Edmonton's history from armchair archivist Rev Recluse of Vintage Edmonton.

Here are some events happening this weekend in the Edmonton area.

• May 22: Reimagining Social Work with Transform starting at 10am at IslamicFamily
• May 22: Astronomica 360 starting at 6pm at TELUS World of Science - Edmonton
• May 22: Clos du Soleil Anniversary Wine Dinner starting at 6pm at The Butchery by RGE RD
• May 22-23: Ember Collective at Mile Zero Dance
• May 22-24: 48hr Mobile Device Filmmaking Challenge online
• May 22-24: Project Andromeda at Citadel Theatre
• May 23: Volya's Spring Awakening Gala starting at 5:30pm at Polish Hall
• May 23: Sell Your Book: Everyone Wants to See Their Name in Lights, But Few Want to Do The Work to Turn the Power On starting at 6:30pm at Daisy Chain Book Co. (High Street)
• May 23: Tim Olive with Jacob Audrey Taves, Steph Patsula and k.burwash starting at 8pm at St. Mary's Anglican Church
• May 23: Peruvian Pilipino Pop Up starting at 8pm at Boa and Hare
• May 24: Dreaming of Fireflies: Native Plant Workshop starting at 11am at Elmwood Community League
• May 24: Ladies off the Green starting at 11am at Epcor Tower
• May 24: Where the Ovenbird Sings starting at 1:30pm at Lady Flower Gardens
• May 24: Buanderie / Boulangerie starting at 1:30pm at La Cité Francophone
• May 24: Edmonton Stingers vs. Niagara River Lions starting at 4pm at Edmonton EXPO Centre

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• May 30: Good Neighbour Arts Gallery Bike Tour at Ottewell Community League
• June 4: ECAMP Curiosity Walking Tours - Strikes, Struggles and Success at Royal Alberta Museum
• June 6: Fruit Loop's Pride Block Party at Grindstone Theatre

Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.

Test your crossword prowess and deploy a little of your Edmonton knowledge. Complete the puzzle.

Did you miss a Mini this week? You can always catch up in the archive.