Arena opening delayed
The early morning fire in the Zamboni room at the Jasper Arena, Jan. 26, will keep the facility closed until at least Feb. 9.
According to Peter Bridge, arena manager, air quality tests were scheduled for later this week to determine if further 鈥渃orrective action is needed.鈥�
Staff will reassess the situation at the arena Feb. 7 to determine whether it can re-open on Feb. 10.
The fire started at about 2 a.m. and caused extensive damage to the Zamboni room and to the Zamboni.
Remediation work began on the room last week, with everything from electrical to drywall work taking place and the Zamboni was sent to Edmonton for a full inspection.
Deadline for pipeline hearing
Applications to participate in the National Energy Board hearing on the expansion of Kinder Morgan鈥檚 Trans Mountain Pipeline are due Feb. 12.
To participate, an individual or group has to prove, through their application, that they are directly affected by the proposed project. People with relevant information or expertise will also be allowed to participate.
If the expansion is approved, the pipeline would, after construction, carry 890,000 barrels of crude oil through the park each day. That鈥檚 nearly three times the current 300,000 the pipeline can handle today.
To accomplish such an increase, the pipeline will be twinned between Edmonton and Burnaby.
Jasper鈥檚 line was twinned in 2008, so there would be minimal construction in the park. But the expansion project would mean reactivating the old pipeline.
To apply for intervenor status, in order to participate in the upcoming NEB hearing, fill out the application at neb-one.gc.ca.
Scholarship for Jasperite
Jennifer Dillon, a 2013 graduate of the Jasper Junior/Senior High School, was recently awarded $4,000 in scholarships for her academic excellence at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus.
Dillon, a first year Bachelor of Science student, won the Verda and J.D. McNeill Scholarship and the Roland Standsfield Young Memorial Academic Excellence Scholarship.
Dillon was one of 325 students at her campus to receive at least one scholarship for the 2013-2014 academic year.
Talented locals in the spotlight
The third annual Jasper鈥檚 Got Talent competition will fill the Jasper Activity Centre with performers of all kinds, Feb. 11.
The talent show is a fundraiser for the Jasper Junior/Senior High School band.
Tickets for the event are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available at Buffalo Betty鈥檚 Gifts, More Than Mail and Tekarra Color Lab, as well as through band students.
The show begins at 7 p.m.
Curling bonspiel this weekend
The Jasper Curling Club鈥檚 men鈥檚 bonspiel kicks off this weekend鈥攁nd the numbers look good.
Participation in the tournament is on the rise this year, with 12 teams hitting the ice Feb. 7 for a weekend of rock slinging.
Lee Chorley sees the bump in numbers as an encouraging sign, as for the last few years only eight teams have participated.
The tournament runs all weekend, with round robin play on Friday and Saturday leading up to the final skins game on Sunday, which boasts a $500 prize.
The four local teams will have to fend off challenges from out-of-towners from as far away as Edmonton and Calgary.
