CKUA fundraises $1.1M to stay on the air but says 'it's not over'
CKUA Radio launched its spring fundraising campaign Friday morning in an effort to prevent shutting its doors for good.
The 96-year-old broadcaster will have two special live-broadcasts from the Alberta Hotel located at 9804 Jasper Avenue. Friday's fundraiser ran from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a musical performance by The Brasstactics and Saturday's event will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
With more than 5,000 contributions, CKUA and Albertans have raised $1.1 million so far, surpassing the original goal of $775,000 for the event. The radio station needs to raise $3 million by the end of September in order to stay on the air.
"The outpouring of support, donations and just well wishes has been beyond imaginable," said Marc Carnes, CEO of CKUA. "One of my staff members says it's like the world's biggest group hug."
"But it’s not over, and we’re not where we need to be yet."
On April 17, Carnes addressed the public regarding the future of the radio station. Carnes stated that the combined forces of inflation, the state of Edmonton's downtown office real estate market and post-pandemic realities have all contributed to the financial woes for the company.
CKUA will continue fundraising during another special live-broadcast on Saturday for an edition of 'Natch’l Blues Live' with hosts Holger Peterson and Cam Hayden. There will be brisket sandwiches and hoagies available to purchase at the event.
"We're a community. We're connected across the miles, digitally and through terrestrial radio," said Carnes. "That connection between our hosts and musicians and the people who listen and support us, it's so powerful."
CKUA was owned by the Alberta government in the 1940's as part of the Access Education Network but was decommissioned in 1997 overnight. Luckily through donations from the public, they were able to make a comeback six weeks later.
CKUA's spring fundraising event runs until Sunday, April 28 and you can donate to the cause by clicking the link.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.