882 homes fixed, Elks go 3-0

Hi Edmonton,

It’s one of those Friday forecasts where you enjoy the sun while it’s here, then keep one eye on the sky. Thunderstorms are possible today, and the weekend looks soggy again.

Inside today, we’ve got affordable housing work wrapping up, rain fallout around the city, Green Shack programming coming back, and a lot happening before Monday. Personally, I’d flag the Elks starting 3-0. Not bad at all.

— The Edmonton Edit

⚡ Quick Hits

Today starts with some sun, then gets cloudier and breezy with afternoon thunderstorms. High of 26, low of 14.

Saturday cools down to 18 with thick cloud and showers. Sunday keeps the rain going, with a high near 19.

After the week we just had, keep the umbrella close and maybe don’t trust a dry sidewalk too much.

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David Schunker is an Alberta-based mortgage broker helping clients make sense of home financing, whether they’re buying their first home, investing, renewing, or simply trying to find a mortgage that better fits their goals.

With a friendly, one-on-one approach, David focuses on making the mortgage process feel clear, smooth, and less overwhelming for local homeowners and buyers.

You can reach David for a free consultation by calling 403-921-8564, emailing [email protected], or visiting dsmsolutions.ca.

A big affordable housing renovation project is now complete in Edmonton. It refreshed 882 units across 11 sites.

The project had $23.3 million in listed funding. That included $12.8 million from the federal government and $10.5 million from the City of Edmonton.

HomeEd also reported another $10.3 million in improvements for 1,076 mixed-income townhomes and apartments at 15 sites. The work included foundation fixes, electrical upgrades, energy-efficiency work, and accessibility improvements.

The big thing is simple: this keeps hundreds of lower-cost homes usable in a city where affordable rentals are already under pressure.

Those renovated homes stay in Edmonton’s affordable and mixed-income housing supply. That’s not flashy, but it’s the kind of thing people actually feel.

Edmonton’s emergency water supply alert has been lifted after intense rainfall pushed stormwater systems close to capacity.

The city recorded about 104 mm of rain over three days. EPCOR got more than 600 flooding-related calls during the storm period.

The rain also hit daily life around the city. Sports fields, ball diamonds, boat launches, low river valley trails, and Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre were all affected.

Some surrounding areas, including Beaumont, Tofield, and parts of Beaver County, still had alerts after Edmonton’s was lifted.

It’s a good reminder that heavy rain here does more than wreck a picnic. It can affect water use, drainage, trails, recreation sites, and basements pretty quickly.

Residents should keep watching City and EPCOR updates for trail, facility, and stormwater impacts.

Construction on 99 Street streetscaping started this spring and is scheduled to wrap up in October 2026. Judy Padua Way work is expected to finish by mid-September.

The 100 Street Library Parkade entrance has reopened, but the exit timing was delayed by weather. Downtown drivers, pedestrians, and anyone using parking around 99 Street should expect more access changes.

This is one of those projects where the payoff comes later, but the detours are very much a now problem.

More phased closures and access changes are expected as work continues.

→ Full announcement on edmonton.ca: https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/roads/99-street-streetscaping-and-waterproofing

The 95 Avenue renewal covers the stretch between 163 Street and 182 Street. Construction is expected to finish in fall 2026.

Northbound lane reductions near 170 Street and 95 Avenue start the week of June 29 and are expected to last about a month. Southside access at 167 Street and 95 Avenue stays closed until July.

For west-end drivers, this means delays around a busy commuter route. Build in a bit of extra time, especially if 170 Street is part of your usual routine.

Lane reductions continue through July while crews restore roadway areas near the intersection.

→ Full announcement on edmonton.ca: https://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/on_your_streets/95-avenue-renewal

The City Arts Centre is closed from June to September 2026 for rehabilitation work. The upgrades include structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work.

Programs and summer camps are being moved to other City facilities where possible. Families who use the centre will need alternate arts and recreation options through the summer.

The centre is expected to resume service in fall 2026.

→ Full announcement on edmonton.ca: https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/parks-recreation/city-arts-centre-rehabilitation

The Elks pulled off a 23-18 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. T.J. Luther scored the winning touchdown with less than a minute left.

That win moves Edmonton to 3-0. It’s also the team’s best start since 2017.

The win matters because it came in Winnipeg, where Edmonton had not won a regular-season game since 2018. Early season or not, that’s a nice little confidence boost.

→ Read more: https://www.goelks.com/2026/06/25/game-recap-elks-23-blue-bombers-18/

🎉 Galaxyland After Dark
Date: 2026-06-26
Time: 6:00pm-10:00pm
Location: Galaxyland, West Edmonton Mall, 8882 170 Street NW
Cost: $45 online; $50 at the door

Galaxyland goes into night mode for a 6 to 10 pm event. This is for anyone who likes the mall better after the usual crowd thins out.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.edmonton.events/calendar/galaxyland-after-dark

🎉 Hiromi's Sonicwonder
Date: 2026-06-26
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Horowitz Theatre, University of Alberta
Cost: $68-$90

Hiromi’s Sonicwonder plays the Horowitz Theatre as part of the Edmonton International Jazz Festival. If you want a serious Friday night music pick, this is the one.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.edmontonjazz.com/

🎉 Fanny's Follies: A Night of Indigenous Burlesque
Date: 2026-06-26
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Varscona Theatre, 10329 83 Avenue NW
Cost:

This is an Indigenous burlesque night at the Varscona Theatre. Good pick if you’re already heading toward Whyte Ave and want something with more bite than a regular night out.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fannys-follies-a-night-of-indigenous-burlesque-tickets-1985769115881

🎉 Edmonton Riverhawks First Responders + Healthcare Heroes with Fireworks Friday
Date: 2026-06-26
Time: 7:05pm
Location: RE/MAX Field, 10233 96 Avenue NW
Cost: Complimentary ticket at box office for listed first responder and healthcare groups; 50% off for one guest

The Riverhawks have a Friday game with fireworks and a thank-you night for first responders and healthcare workers. It’s a pretty solid Rossdale evening if the weather behaves.

→ Tickets / Info: https://tickets.gohawks.ca/Default.aspx?from=05%2F31%2F2026&until=06%2F30%2F2026

🎉 42nd Street by ELOPE Musical Theatre
Date: 2026-06-26 to 2026-06-27
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Timms Centre for the Arts, U of A Campus, 87 Avenue and 112 Street
Cost: $30-$35

ELOPE Musical Theatre is bringing 42nd Street to the Timms Centre. This is your classic musical option for the weekend.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.showpass.com/42nd-street/

🎉 Improvaganza
Date: 2026-06-26 to 2026-06-28
Time: Multiple showtimes
Location: Rapid Fire Exchange, 10437 83 Avenue NW
Cost: $20-$25; festival pass $75

Rapid Fire Theatre’s Improvaganza runs through the weekend with multiple shows. Go if you want comedy that can go beautifully sideways in real time.

→ Tickets / Info: https://rapidfiretheatre.com/festivals/improvaganza/

🎉 Old Strathcona Farmers' Market Busker Weekend
Date: 2026-06-27
Time: 8:00am-3:00pm
Location: Old Strathcona Farmers' Market, 10310 83 Avenue NW
Cost: Free admission; purchases extra

The Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market adds buskers to the usual Saturday mix. Good for groceries, coffee, and pretending you only came for one thing.

→ Tickets / Info: https://osfm.ca/

🎉 Crime and Justice at Fort Edmonton Park
Date: 2026-06-27
Time: 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: Fort Edmonton Park, 7000 143 Street NW
Cost: Included with Fort Edmonton Park admission

Fort Edmonton Park is running a Crime and Justice themed day. It’s a good family pick if you want history with a little more drama.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.fortedmontonpark.ca/events/calendar

🎉 Summer Block Party on Rice Howard Way: Meet the Neighbours
Date: 2026-06-27
Time: 1:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Rice Howard Way, Edmonton
Cost: Free

Rice Howard Way gets a downtown block party on Saturday afternoon. Free, central, and easy to pair with a walk through the core.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.todocanada.ca/city/edmonton/event/summer-block-party-on-rice-howard-way/

🎉 Sake Tasting 101
Date: 2026-06-27
Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm
Location: Color de Vino, 9606 82 Avenue NW
Cost:

Color de Vino is hosting a Sake Tasting 101 session. This is a nice one if you want a low-key Saturday plan before dinner on Whyte.

→ Tickets / Info: https://minuteman.com/ca/locations/ab/edmonton22/news/edmonton-schedules-sake-sipping-session-52832

🎉 Sapphic Avenue Presents: Pride Pool Party
Date: 2026-06-27
Time: 5:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Hardisty Fitness and Leisure Centre, 10535 65 Street NW
Cost:

Sapphic Avenue has a Pride Pool Party at Hardisty Fitness and Leisure Centre. It’s a different kind of Pride weekend plan, and honestly, that’s refreshing.

→ Tickets / Info: https://prideedmonton.ca/events/

🎉 Edmonton Riverhawks Yee-haw Country Night vs. Port Angeles Lefties
Date: 2026-06-27
Time: 7:05pm
Location: RE/MAX Field, 10233 96 Avenue NW
Cost:

The Riverhawks are back at RE/MAX Field for Yee-haw Country Night. Baseball, theme night, river valley nearby. Easy summer formula.

→ Tickets / Info: https://tickets.gohawks.ca/Default.aspx?from=05%2F31%2F2026&until=06%2F30%2F2026

🎉 Cirque du Rave
Date: 2026-06-27 to 2026-06-28
Time: 9:00pm-2:00am
Location: Pawn Shop Live, 6240 99 Street NW
Cost:

Cirque du Rave runs late at Pawn Shop Live. This is the pick for people whose Saturday plans start when everyone else is heading home.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.edmonton.events/calendar/cirque-du-rave

🎉 Wake it Up! Pride Drag Brunch at MKT
Date: 2026-06-28
Time: 11:00am-2:00pm
Location: MKT Edmonton, 8101 Gateway Boulevard NW
Cost: Ticket required; brunch purchased separately

MKT is hosting a Pride drag brunch on Sunday. A ticket gets you in, and brunch is separate, so check that before rounding up the group chat.

→ Tickets / Info: https://www.edmonton.events/calendar/wake-it-up-pride-drag-brunch-at-mkt

🎉 NUOVA Vocal Arts Festival: Brigadoon
Date: 2026-06-28
Time: 1:30pm
Location: The Orange Hub Theatre, 10045 156 Street NW
Cost:

NUOVA Vocal Arts brings Brigadoon to The Orange Hub Theatre. A Sunday afternoon theatre plan works nicely if the rain keeps hanging around.

→ Tickets / Info: https://nuovavocalarts.ca/show/brigadoon/

🎉 The Magical Music of Harry Potter
Date: 2026-06-27
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Winspear Centre, 4 Sir Winston Churchill Square NW
Cost: Resale prices vary

The Winspear has a Harry Potter music concert on Saturday night. One for the film-score people, the nostalgia people, and the “I know every theme by ear” people.

→ Tickets / Info: https://my.winspearcentre.com/11184/11191?z=0

ORBE Restaurant | Bar
Opening: 2026-07-02
Location: 13138 137 Avenue NW, Edmonton

ORBE starts its soft launch on July 2 with dinner service only. The concept is modern Asian food with global influence, and reservations are recommended.

→ More info: https://www.orbeyeg.com/

Free Green Shack programming returns Monday, June 29. The City of Edmonton and Edmonton Arts Council are behind the summer drop-in program and Green Shack Shows.

The program is aimed at kids ages 6 to 12, but all ages are welcome. Program leaders run games, crafts, challenges, and activities in parks across Edmonton.

The Arts Council performances add another free layer through the summer. For families trying to fill long summer days without spending every time they leave the house, this is a big help.

→ Read more: https://www.edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/green-shacks

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That's it for today. Take care of yourself out there, and take care of someone else while you're at it.

See you Tuesday!