Elks to close upper bowl of Commonwealth next year, except for 'key games'
Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. (CTV News Edmonton)
A few days after being officially eliminated from the playoffs for the second straight year, the Edmonton Elks announced fewer seats will be for sale in 2024.
The CFL club will close the upper bowl of Commonwealth Stadium next season, blocking off about 25,000 of the stadium's 56,400 seats.
"Closing the upper bowl is key to enhancing the game day atmosphere and rebuilding our home field advantage by bringing our fans closer to the action," president and CEO Rick LeLacheur told fans Wednesday.
"We’re confident that the combination of improved play on the field and a better atmosphere will create one of the most enjoyable game day experiences in the league."
LeLacheur said more seats will be open in the upper bowl for "key games" but didn't disclose the criteria for those.
The Elks will still offer about 31,000 seats for sale each game, which is still more than the capacities of CFL stadiums in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Hamilton.
Edmonton is averaging about 25,000 fans a game this year, according to the league's website, behind only Winnipeg and Saskatchewan.
After peaking at nearly 58,000 fans a game in 1982, average attendance in Edmonton has been steadily falling. It went from nearly 42,000 in 2005 to under 24,000 last year, before an increase of just over 1,200.
At 4-12, the Elks are tied with Ottawa for last in the league. Edmonton's last home game of the season is Saturday at 2 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
China lands spacecraft on the moon amid growing space rivalry with U.S.
A Chinese spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon Sunday to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side.
Pedestrian dies after being hit by train in Brockville, Ont.
Brockville Police says a pedestrian has died following a collision with a train that was heading to Toronto.
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.
Calgary
-
3 injured in serious crash along Stoney Trail
One person suffered life threatening injuries following a crash along Stoney Trail Saturday afternoon.
-
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
-
Dog Jog raises money for animals cared for at the Calgary Humane Society
Hundreds of people and their dogs are expected in North Glenmore Park for the Calgary Humane Society’s annual Dog Jog Saturday.
Lethbridge
-
Okotoks lives by the long ball, crushing three homers in 10-2 defeat of Bombers in Brooks
The Okotoks Dawgs won their first road victory of the season Friday, defeating the Brooks Bombers 10-2.
-
Brooks strikes first in Rocky Mountain Challenge, topping Surrey 5-2
The Brooks Bandits spread the scoring around Friday night, en route to a 5-2 victory over the Surrey Eagles in the opening game of the Rocky Mountain Challenge.
-
Kids get chance to get up close to heavy equipment at Big Truck Petting Zoo
Fire trucks, garbage trucks, excavators and more will be on display Saturday in Lethbridge at the Big Truck Petting Zoo.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. mining skills competition showcases elite rescue teams
Dozens of teams and hundreds of rescuers gathered at Prairieland Park for the mining skills competition, an event that brings together some of the best-trained rescuers who specialize in mine rescues.
-
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
-
Negotiations between Sask. teachers and province to resume next week
Saskatchewan teachers and the province are set to resume negotiations on Wednesday.
Regina
-
Regina bargain hunters discover old-fashioned antiques while sharing hobby online
What started as a weekly tradition of weekend bargain hunting for old-fashioned antiques has now flourished into a massive treasure trove for Robert Baron and Karen Wilhelm.
-
Death investigation underway in Regina
An investigation is underway in Regina after an injured man died in hospital on Saturday.
-
Fine, Lenius among Roughriders cuts
The Saskatchewan Roughriders released quarterback Mason Fine and receiver Brayden Lenius on Saturday as the team announced its final roster cuts.
Vancouver
-
Surrey car crash sends 4 to hospital
Four people are in hospital after a serious car crash near the Surrey-Langley border on Saturday morning, according to police.
-
B.C. organization looking for volunteers to count bats this summer
A B.C. conservation organization is looking for volunteers to spend a few evenings this summer counting bats to help biologists monitor populations across the province.
-
Dump trucks in B.C. now required to have in-cab warning devices
In an attempt to curb infrastructure crashes such as overpass strikes, all dump trucks of a certain height operating in B.C. are now required to have warning devices installed in-cab to alert drivers when the dump box is raised.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. organization looking for volunteers to count bats this summer
A B.C. conservation organization is looking for volunteers to spend a few evenings this summer counting bats to help biologists monitor populations across the province.
-
Start of June means B.C.'s minimum wage is now $17.40 per hour
The first day of June means the minimum wage for most workers in B.C. is now $17.40 per hour, as the province's annual inflation-based hike takes effect.
-
WestJet ordered to pay B.C. traveller $1,300 for a missed flight connection
A B.C. traveller will receive more than $1,300 in compensation from WestJet for a missed flight connection following a decision from the province's small claims tribunal.
Toronto
-
'A beautiful tribute': Caroline Huebner Parkette officially unveiled in Toronto
Dozens of people gathered at a newly-renamed park in Toronto’s east end Saturday morning to celebrate the life of its namesake, Caroline Huebner-Makurat, who was struck and killed by a stray bullet 11 months ago.
-
TTC streetcar derailed, 3 people injured in downtown Toronto crash
A TTC streetcar was derailed and three people were injured, two seriously, in a crash involving a vehicle in downtown Toronto Saturday morning.
-
Man seriously injured in Etobicoke shooting
Toronto police are investigating after a man was shot in Etobicoke.
Montreal
-
Stabbed man stumbles into pharmacy in Montreal's Village, police investigating
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating after a young man was stabbed in The Village neighbourhood on Saturday morning.
-
Making Quebec bilingual: 'What a lack of respect,' says Jolin-Barrette of the idea
Quebec Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette added his voice to the Bloc Québécois and Conservatives in Ottawa who are outraged by comments made by Liberal MP Angelo Iacono, who said Quebec would benefit from becoming an officially bilingual province rather than having only French as its official language.
-
Quebec adopts bill granting 'parental union' to unmarried couples
On Friday, Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette welcomed the unanimous adoption a day earlier of his Bill 56 amending the Civil Code and creating a new parental union regime in Quebec.
Atlantic
-
Hometown racer relishes SailGP moment in Halifax
Team Canada's Billy Gooderham says he's thrilled to be able to compete in the first-ever Sail Grand Prix event held on Canadian Waters.
-
N.B. reaches tentative agreement with union representing social workers and psychologists
The New Brunswick government has reached a tentative agreement with a local union representing social workers among other professions in the province.
-
The IWK Telethon for Children marks 40 years
The IWK Telethon for Children marks 40 years this June.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg looking at fining residents for putting contaminated items in trash
The City of Winnipeg is asking the public if homeowners should have to pay for throwing contaminated items in their trash and recycling carts.
-
Osborne Village Starbucks permanently closed
Osborne Village residents will have to find a new spot to get their caffeine fix, as the River Avenue Starbucks location is closing up shop for good.
-
'Lots of love, darling': Hundreds of love letters dating back to 1920s up for sale
Hundreds of love letters from decades past are up for grabs, offering a peek into days when pen and ink were conveyors of connection when miles apart.
Ottawa
-
2 children among 5 people hospitalized after head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa's west end
Two young children and three adults were seriously injured in a major collision on Highway 417 between Palladium Drive and Carp Road in Ottawa's west end Friday afternoon.
-
OSTA's annual Drivers Appreciation Day took place Saturday
As another school year wraps up, the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) held its annual Drivers Appreciation Day on Saturday to commemorate those in charge of that big yellow bus.
-
Pedestrian dies after being hit by train in Brockville, Ont.
Brockville Police says a pedestrian has died following a collision with a train that was heading to Toronto.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury police searching for two motorcyclists following crash at Maley Drive underpass
Greater Sudbury Police Service is looking for two motorcyclists – one of whom may be “seriously injured.”
-
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
-
22-year-old driver charged with stunt driving on Hwy. 11
A 22-year-old driver was travelling more than 150km/h on Highway 11 in Benoit Township east of Timmins, Ont., on Friday.
Barrie
-
Barrie kicks off pride month with festival and parade
Barrie celebrated the start of Pride month with a special Pride march and festival in the downtown core on Saturday.
-
Innisfil Indian Association hosts first-ever Holi Rangotsav; festival of colours
The Innisfil Indian Association held their first-ever Holi Rangotsav, the festival of colours.
-
Innisfil Beach Road to close under Highway 400 Saturday overnight
Continued construction at the Innisfil Beach Road exit of Highway 400 will close certain areas of the interchange from Saturday evening through Sunday morning, allowing crews to remove the existing Highway 400 northbound bridge.
Kitchener
-
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
-
Two celestial shows will be visible across Canada this week
Canada is getting not one – but two – celestial shows over the next few days. Keep an eye on the sky for the northern lights and parade of planets!
-
Man on Canada’s Most Wanted list for Kitchener, Ont. shooting, arrested
Habiton Solomon, who was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for a fatal 2023 shooting in Kitchener, Ont., is now in police custody.
London
-
Mix of sun and cloud expected Sunday ahead of gloomy work week
The early morning hours Sunday might see some rainfall — but that's expected to end in the early afternoon.
-
SIU investigation into man who was bit by London police dog concludes
The director of Ontario's Special Investigations Unit has found no reasonable grounds to believe a London police officer committed a criminal offence after a man who was arrested was 'seriously injured' by the bite of a police service dog.
-
CTV News London’s top stories from this week
In case you missed it, CTV News London has compiled all the top local stories from this week into one video for your convenience.
Windsor
-
Body of missing Windsor man, last seen late last year, recovered in Detroit River
Since the start of this year, multiple search efforts have been conducted to locate Scott Kersey who was last seen on Dec. 29, 2023.
-
2 arrested after officers seize loaded shotguns from Glengarry apartment building: Windsor police
Windsor police officers say they have arrested two people and seized loaded shotguns from apartment units in the city's core.
-
Final frame for Windsor's last five-pin bowling alley
After 78 years in Windsor, the doors at Playdium Lanes have closed for a final time.
