EDMONTON – From a joke on Oilers fans to a couple of puppy-related pranks, there was no shortage of fun Friday morning as several local organizations got involved in some April Fool’s shenanigans.
Edmonton Oilers to move Rexall Place ice to Rogers Place
In a post on Facebook, the Edmonton Oilers detailed how they plan to deconstruct and move the ice from Rexall Place to Rogers Place. After all, what’s a new arena without ice?
“We’re going to cut the ice into manageable sheets, palletize it, put it on a refrigeration truck and store it a warehouse until such a time as Rogers Place is ready to accept the sheet,” George Waselenchuk, Rexall Place operations manager, said.
Crews will first have to dim the lights so they can use lasers to outline perfect cut lines. The concrete under the ice sheet will then be heated so crews can pull the pieces of ice off the ground with suction cups.
“There’s so much history in this ice, there’s so much quality in this ice. This place has been known for its ice for so many years and it’s very important to the Oilers and us to make sure we carry that tradition and the quality over at Rogers Place,” Jason Rimmer, assistant manager of engineering at Rogers Place, said.
EIA announces new priority pup program
The folks over at the Edmonton International Airport are always looking for new ways to improve the airport experience for passengers. But it’s not just humans that travel.
“The EIA Priority Pup Program gives your dog special priority treatment as they move through Edmonton International Airport,” EIA brand manager Lisa Spaniel Said. “We’ve made check-in totally easy for our little canine pals.”
EIA showcased new check-in features for dogs, down at their level, including a top-of-the-line nose scanner and boarding pass scanner.
“All they have to do is go up to the check-in and they get a special security tag collar with a nice little bling. They get their photo taken and away they go. It’s just that easy,” Spaniel said.
Dogs are even able to use a special VIP line at security. Then there’s a massage area so pups can relax before boarding their flight.
But what about the cats?
“We asked some cats… they ignored us,” Spaniel said. “Don’t even talk to me about cats.”
AMA offers new roadside comfort pet program
The animal-themed jokes continued over at the Alberta Motor Association where staff announced a new roadside comfort program for stranded drivers.
Breaking down on the side of the road can be stressful and dangerous. To ease driver’s minds, the AMA will now bring animals on all roadside calls.
“We of course started with a dog first,” Jared with the AMA said. “And we thought, ‘One dog works well. I wonder what three or four does?'”
“Puppies really take the edge off. It makes it a lot easier,” added Geoffrey, an AMA pet coordinator.
But it doesn’t stop there. The program also includes guinea pigs, hedgehogs, ferrets, rabbits and hamsters. The AMA also thought increasing the size of animal could increase customers’ moods.
“Big animals seem to work really well. They had more of a shock value,” AMA pet coordinator Darren said of the goats, donkeys and large birds they brought into the mix.
WestJet launches RALFH snack robot
One of the biggest challenges for flight attendants is carefully maneuvering the food and beverage cart through the narrow aisle of the airplane. WestJet said its new snack robot R.A.L.F.H. (Robotic Automated Light Food Handler) will change air travel forever.
Through the WestJet app, passengers can order the food and drink items of their choice. Moments later, RALFH-which is attached to the ceiling of the airplane-flies over delivers the items right to the passenger’s seat.
“This isn’t about gimmicks. This isn’t about technology for technology’s sake. It really is about a great guest experience,”
There seemed to be a bit of a Flintstones theme with a couple of local restaurants.
Tony Roma’s in Alberta offered customers a chance to try their new Brontosaurus ribs.
Over at Albert’s Family Restaurant, hard-boiled dinosaur eggs were being offered on their April Fool’s menu.
A couple of Twitter users snapped pictures of the jokes they saw on Edmonton roads on the way to work Friday morning.
*All of the above ideas are April Fool’s jokes. None of these programs, ideas or offers are actually happening.
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