Edmonton Queen ready to sail again as new owners gear up for the season
The Edmonton Queen Riverboat has new owners and they're excited to get sailing.
The iconic river boat is being set up to start the summer season and it's even back to its old name after being known as the Edmonton Riverboat for some time.
"A lot of people have a lot of strong feelings about that it's the Edmonton Queen. We're not going to disappoint them," said Rob Davy, one of the new co-owners of the boat.
Davy and Eric Warnke, the other co-owner, also own the laser tag business Laser City.
"We're in the business of making memories, kids birthday parties, corporate events, special occasions, that kind of stuff," Davy said. "Whilst there's going to be no laser tag on the boat, unfortunately, there will be memory making."
When the riverboat went up for sale, Warnke started asking a friend, the general manager of the boat, about it.
"I was looking for something to pour my passion into, something that I thought was iconic and part of Edmonton that I could make sure that my kids are proud of just as much as I was," Warnke said.
Some of the events they plan to host include dueling pianos, Canada Day fireworks sailing and live music.
"We're hoping to make it accessible for all Edmontonians," Warnke said. "There are the sort of date night, more higher-end dinner buffets that are happening late at night…We also are offering easily-accessible tickets if you just want to ride or if you just want to come for a barbecue on deck with the family on a Saturday afternoon."
A view of downtown from the deck of the Edmonton Queen Riverboat on Monday, May 6, 2024. (Amanda Anderson/CTV News Edmonton)
They also plan to look into ways to use the boat during the winter, such as hosting Christmas parties.
"I think this boat should mean more to Edmontonians…The Riverboat, I don't think often makes the top 10 list of things that Edmontonians think about," Warnke said. "It's not any fault of the Riverboat, but we're hoping that we can make sure that we do right by it for future generations."
Finding staff for a boat in the middle of the prairies is another challenge they faced. They're still looking to hire for a few more positions including deckhand, engineer and first mate.
The Edmonton Queen will be open for public sailings starting June 1.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.S. Postal Service suspends accepting mail bound for Canada due to strike
The U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended accepting mail headed to Canada due to the strike by Canada Post workers.
First snow dump of the wintry season brings in chilly temperatures
As the second day of December unfolds, Canadians from coast to coast are experiencing a range of wintry conditions. Here's what's happening in different parts of the country.
'Ally to the North': Ontario launches U.S. ad campaign amid Trump's tariff threat
Ontario is launching a U.S. ad campaign, touting the province as an 'ally to the North' ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term and under the threat of tariffs on all Canadian goods.
Kremlin says Trump threat to BRICS nations over U.S. dollar will backfire
The Kremlin said on Monday that any U.S. attempt to compel countries to use the dollar would backfire after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on BRICS countries if they created their own currency.
Crews work to reopen highway north of Toronto after major snowstorm hits cottage country
Crews are still working to reopen Highway 11 north of Toronto after parts of Ontario’s cottage country were hit with upwards of 140 centimetres of snowfall over the weekend.
Ontario food banks cutting back amid 'unprecedented surge in demand'
About 40 per cent of food banks in the province have scaled back the amount of food they provide each visit amid “record-high demand,” according to a new report by Feed Ontario.
Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to
U.S. President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, on Sunday night, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family.
Elton John says he has lost his eyesight and struggles to see his new stage musical
Elton John says he struggled to watch his new musical because he has lost his eyesight after contracting an infection.
'Devastating': Missing Surrey, B.C. teen found dead, family says
The family of a missing 18-year-old, who was last seen in Surrey over a month ago, says there has been a tragic end to the search.
Calgary
-
Crash on Stoney Trail near Deerfoot Trail
A transport truck crashed on Monday morning, shutting down a section of eastbound Stoney Trail.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Let the melt begin – daytime highs as warm as 6 C this week
The last half of November was not only cold – it was also snowy. Since Nov. 18, temperatures in Calgary sat between -3 C to -21 C during a period that usually records temperatures of 2 C to -11 C.
-
Work underway in Alberta town to restore one of last remaining Quonset-style theatres
The historic Roxy Theatre in southwestern Alberta's Crowsnest Pass has seen better days.
Lethbridge
-
Raiders hand Hurricanes sixth loss in a row, winning 3-2 in Prince Albert
The Hurricanes ended November with a loss, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Raiders Saturday night in Prince Albert.
-
University of Lethbridge launches geospatial insitute
Geomatics research is about to take a step forward at the University of Lethbridge.
-
Road-weary Hurricanes drop fifth in a row, losing 4-1 to Blades in Saskatoon
The Lethbridge Hurricanes ran into a hot goalie in Evan Gardner Friday night who cooled them off, leading the Blades to a 4-1 win in Saskatoon.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage young girl with hug and kiss
A Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage and reassure a young girl when he hugged and kissed her during an encounter in 2023.
-
City crews battle overnight snowfall in Saskatoon
The City of Saskatoon crews are plowing and grading high traffic roads following overnight snowfall in the city.
-
Sask. Indigenous storytelling lives on through award-winning radio play
For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples in North America have passed down stories and history through oral tradition. That age-old practice continues today with We Treaty People, a nine-part radio play series created by Burnt Thicket Theatre.
Regina
-
Manz found guilty of one charge of sexual assault, acquitted on five others after 57 hours of deliberations
After being sequestered for more than 57 hours, a 12-person jury has found Regina chiropractor Ruben Manz guilty of one count of sexual assault.
-
Agribition 2024 wraps up in Regina
The 53rd Canadian Western Agribition wrapped up on Nov. 29, after an event-filled day.
-
U.S. Postal Service suspends accepting mail bound for Canada due to strike
The U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended accepting mail headed to Canada due to the strike by Canada Post workers.
Vancouver
-
Alexander, Crawford lead deep Canadian men's downhill ski team into season
The Canadian men's downhill ski team opens an important racing season intent on making a multi-pronged push for the podium.
-
Here's where Canadian experts stand on fluoridating drinking water
For decades, water fluoridation has played a key role in improving the oral health of North Americans, experts say, but the practice is coming under scrutiny in some communities as opponents gain new prominence in the U.S., pointing to research that cautions about the risks of exposure to the mineral in high doses.
-
Rising sea levels threaten YVR with severe flooding, Senate report says
Rising sea levels could prove catastrophic for Vancouver International Airport, according to a new report from the Senate of Canada looking at the risks climate change poses to critical infrastructure across the country.
Vancouver Island
-
Woman 'waving a weapon' seriously injured during Vancouver Island arrest; IIO called in
B.C.’s police oversight agency has been called in to investigate after a woman on Vancouver Island suffered a serious injury while being arrested Friday.
-
Rising sea levels threaten YVR with severe flooding, Senate report says
Rising sea levels could prove catastrophic for Vancouver International Airport, according to a new report from the Senate of Canada looking at the risks climate change poses to critical infrastructure across the country.
-
Neighbours who sheared tops of B.C. man's bamboo plants ordered to pay $1K in damages
A B.C. man whose neighbours lopped the tops off of four of his bamboo plants has been awarded $1,000 in damages by the province’s Civil Resolution Tribunal.
Toronto
-
Crews work to reopen highway north of Toronto after major snowstorm hits cottage country
Crews are still working to reopen Highway 11 north of Toronto after parts of Ontario’s cottage country were hit with upwards of 140 centimetres of snowfall over the weekend.
-
'Ally to the North': Ontario launches U.S. ad campaign amid Trump's tariff threat
Ontario is launching a U.S. ad campaign, touting the province as an 'ally to the North' ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term and under the threat of tariffs on all Canadian goods.
-
Ontario food banks cutting back amid 'unprecedented surge in demand'
About 40 per cent of food banks in the province have scaled back the amount of food they provide each visit amid “record-high demand,” according to a new report by Feed Ontario.
Montreal
-
Snow, rain on the way to Montreal this week
A dusting of snow greeted Montrealers early Monday morning, with more expected to hit the ground by the end of the week.
-
Unions decry arrival of Sante Quebec, APTS to demonstrate
The arrival of Sante Quebec, the new agency responsible for coordinating health care operations in the province, has sparked discontent among major unions.
-
Teen arrested for dangerous driving, assaulting Montreal police officer
A 17-year-old was arrested for dangerous driving and alleged armed assault against a Montreal police officer.
Atlantic
-
A tail as big as a kite … shooting star shines bright over Christmas tree lighting in Fall River, N.S.
A resident of Fall River, N.S., captured a Christmas miracle during a tree lighting on Saturday night.
-
U.S. Postal Service suspends accepting mail bound for Canada due to strike
The U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended accepting mail headed to Canada due to the strike by Canada Post workers.
-
Canada Post presents union with 'framework' to reach deal as strike continues
Canada Post has presented the union representing some 55,000 striking postal workers with a framework to reach negotiated agreements, the corporation said.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba government to give update on landfill search
The Manitoba government is set to give an update on the search for remains at the Prairie Green Landfill on Monday morning.
-
Woman arrested in Skywalk after wielding knife, threatening security: police
A Winnipeg woman is facing several charges after police said she threatened security at the Millenium Library downtown.
-
Winnipeg man charged after drugs, shotgun seized
A 32-year-old man has been charged with several weapon and drug-related offences by Winnipeg police.
Ottawa
-
Salvation Army workers at Ottawa shelter vote in favour of strike
The union representing staff at the Salvation Army homeless shelter in Ottawa's ByWard Market have voted in favour of a strike.
-
Stittsville family recreates Christmas movie themed holiday light display for charity
A Christmas classic in Stittsville is back.
-
Quebec police investigating homicide death in Val-des-Monts
Quebec provincial police are investigating the homicide death of a woman in the Outaouais region on Sunday afternoon.
Northern Ontario
-
One injured in Energy Court encampment fire Sunday in Sudbury
One person was taken to hospital Sunday evening in Sudbury when propane canisters exploded after someone tried to light a cigarette in an encampment in Greater Sudbury.
-
Sudbury man, 68, killed in Lasalle Blvd. collision
A 68-year-old man was killed Friday evening in Sudbury when he was struck by a vehicle while he was walking on Lasalle Boulevard.
-
Muskoka reacts to major snowfall, Highway 11 still closed
From road closures, power outages, weather declarations and nonstop shoveling, Muskoka residents have been faced with nearly a metre of persistent snowfall.
Barrie
-
New: snow squall warning for Barrie and area
First blast of winter continues across parts of central Ontario.
-
Muskoka reacts to major snowfall, Highway 11 still closed
From road closures, power outages, weather declarations and nonstop shoveling, Muskoka residents have been faced with nearly a metre of persistent snowfall.
-
Stolen vehicle found in snowy ditch: driver flees
A police patrol stopped to assist a stranded driver on Highway 11 on/off ramp.
Kitchener
-
All Waterloo School Board school busses, taxis and special education routes cancelled
All school buses, taxis and special education routes for the Waterloo Region District School Board and Waterloo Catholic District School Board have been cancelled on Monday due to current weather conditions.
-
Fatal collision in Wellington County
One person has died after a three-vehicle collision in Wellington County.
-
Emergency crews battle large fire at Kitchener, Ont. townhouse complex
Waterloo Regional Police say Kingsway Drive will remain closed as emergency crews continue to battle a large blaze at a townhouse complex.
London
-
Arrest and charges after suspicious fire on Wortley Road
At the time of the fire, it was reported that two people who rent apartments in the building escaped without injury and were being helped by the Red Cross.
-
Sarnia man charged in stabbing death of another man
Just before 5 a.m. on Sunday, police were called to a rooming house 194 Queen Street where two residents were involved in a physical fight wile in the kitchen.
-
TVDSB makes decision to close schools due to weather
Five area schools now closed due to the weather and bus cancellations
Windsor
-
Boyz II Men returning to Caesars Windsor
Caesars Windsor is announcing the return of R&B trio Boyz II Men.
-
Car ends up in water-filled ditch in Chatham-Kent
On Saturday afternoon at roughly 5:30 p.m., Chatham-Kent Police say that they responded to a single vehicle collision on Queens Line near Drake Road.
-
Canada Post presents union with 'framework' to reach deal as strike continues
Canada Post has presented the union representing some 55,000 striking postal workers with a framework to reach negotiated agreements, the corporation said.
