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Family vacation turns tragic for young family when Red Deer man suffers severe injury

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2 minute read

From GoFundMe

Rebuild the Life of Graham Lindquist and Family

Brad Balon is organizing this fundraiser.

On January 23, 2023, Graham Lindquist was vacationing in Playa del Carmen, Mexico with his wife, Chandra and some of their friends. He was enjoying his time at the hotel swimming pool when an unimaginable accident occurred. Graham jumped into the pool and suffered a complete spinal fracture and dislocated C7 vertebrae.
He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, but it was determined that his injuries were far too significant for the hospital to properly treat him. He was then relocated to a hospital in Cancun, Mexico where he immediately underwent a grueling 6 hour surgery to stabilize his spine.
Graham’s prognosis is one that is very hard for all of us to fathom. At this point, Graham’s doctors believe he will be confined to a wheelchair indefinitely. They have also indicated that Graham may suffer permanent upper body paralysis. These medical opinions have been absolutely heartbreaking to Graham’s family and friends. It is unbelievable that this could happen to such an amazing human. Graham is truly as good as it gets. He has selflessly dedicated himself to being an amazing husband, dad, step-dad, son, friend, hockey coach, and active community member.
Graham will remain in the ICU in Cancun, Mexico for 2 more weeks. We are hopeful he will then be transported home by air ambulance. Graham will continue to be hospitalized upon his return home.
There is no question that Graham’s injuries will have a significant financial impact on his family. Medical costs, adapting their home, the impact on his employment, transportation, etc. We are reaching out to everyone who knows and loves Graham, Chandra and their beautiful family to help lighten the significant financial burden that they will endure. Your generosity will surely help them through this incredibly difficult time.
On behalf of Graham and his family, we wish to thank you for all of your love, prayers, and support.
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Health

Red Deer Hospital Lottery 2025 Winners

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The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation is thrilled to announce the winners of this year’s Red Deer Hospital Lottery prizes – including the Dream Home, a $100,000.00 cash prize, and Mega Bucks 50.

James Smith of Spruce View has won the $100,000.00 cash prize.

Montey Brehaut of Red Deer has won the Mega Bucks 50 jackpot, taking home $301,702.50.

The grand prize Sorento Custom Homes Dream Home, including furnishings by Urban Barn and worth $1,074,472 – has been awarded to Oscar Gunnlaugson of Sylvan Lake.

The winner announcements took place at noon on June 26 , 2025 – and was streamed live on Facebook from Red Deer Regional Hospital Center.

“We’re excited to celebrate this year’s winners and deeply grateful to everyone who supported the lottery,” said Manon Therriault, CEO of the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation. “Funds raised will directly enhance patient care at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.”

This year’s lottery proceeds will fund essential new and replacement equipment, ensuring Red Deer Regional Hospital Center can continue to serve the 500,000 people who rely on it. While plans for the hospital expansion move forward, healthcare doesn’t wait. Patients in our community need access
to life-saving technology today, and supporting Red Deer Hospital Lottery has made that possible.

A full list of winners, including electronics prize recipients, will be posted on July 2 at reddeerhospitallottery.ca.

Winners will also receive instructions on how to claim their prizes by mail.

The keys to the Dream Home will be presented at a special ceremony this summer.

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Business

Carnival Cinemas moving downtown: Owner Bill Ramji buys former Uptown Cinemas from RDP

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News release from Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP)

Red Deer Polytechnic Sells Welikoklad Event Centre

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) has sold the Welikoklad Event Centre in downtown Red Deer to a new owner who has plans to revitalize the facility as a movie theatre. RDP purchased the Welikoklad Event Centre in 2012. For many years, the Centre served as a valuable learning space for students in a variety of programming, including arts and business. The facility also served as a community hub, where RDP hosted a variety of events for different organizations. With the evolution of time, and RDP’s mix of industry-relevant arts and business programs transitioning back to main campus, the Welikoklad Event Centre no longer serves the same purpose for the post- secondary institution as it once did.

“As we’ve reviewed our future strategic plans relating to program growth and facility usage, to best serve our students, industry partners and community members, we are confident we can meet everyone’s needs at our other campuses,” says Jim Brinkhurst, Vice President, Finance and Administration & Chief Financial Officer, Red Deer Polytechnic. “We feel that now is a good time for the institution to sell this facility and we are pleased to see it repurposed for other community uses that will continue to serve Red Deer and downtown well.”

The Welikoklad Event Centre has been purchased by local business owner, Bill Ramji. He owns Carnival Cinemas, currently located in the Capstone neighbourhood. Future development is planned on the current site of this movie theatre and community gathering space. Ramji is excited to revitalize the theatre’s nearly three decades of history in Red Deer at its new location (which will be renovated before opening) in the heart of downtown.

“Carnival Cinemas is proud to announce the acquisition of the Welikoklad Event Centre from Red Deer Polytechnic, marking an exciting new chapter for this venue and the downtown arts community,” says Bill Ramji, Carnival Cinemas owner. “With this acquisition, Carnival Cinemas reaffirms its commitment to bringing the best value in movies to central Alberta while expanding its focus on supporting local theatre and the performing arts. The Welikoklad Event Centre, previously The Uptown Theatre, was a hub for film lovers and creative voices, and Carnival is eager to build on that legacy.”

Ramji continues, “We’re excited to move forward as Carnival Cinemas and Event Centre and our goal is to continue providing high-quality movie experiences, while also working hand-in-hand with local artists, performers, and theatre groups to enrich downtown Red Deer’s cultural landscape. Carnival Cinemas & Event Centre looks forward to collaborating with the arts community and the broader public to ensure the space remains a vibrant and inclusive gathering place for film and theatre alike.”

RDP will continue to have a presence in downtown Red Deer, with their downtown campus located in the Millennium Centre. The downtown RDP campus is home to RDP’s Continuing Education and Corporate Training programs.

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