One person has been arrested in connection with a vandalism spree at the funicular in Edmonton’s river valley. Twenty-one glass panels on the funicular were broken in the spree. The city says the vandalism happened on Aug. 19, 20, 23, and 25. The cost of the vandalism is currently under assessment. “On average, annual vandalism-related repairs for the funicular range from $40,000 to $70,000. While 2024 costs reached the higher end of this range due to significant elevator repairs, 2025 expenditures returned to typical levels,” Mattea Chen of the city said in an email to CTV News Edmonton. “For 2026, the city anticipates costs will exceed the standard annual range due to the extent of the recent damage.” CTV News Edmonton asked Mayor Andrew Knack on Monday if the city has considered switching from glass to plexiglass on the funicular. “The question of glass versus plexiglass is one we’ve constantly asked ourselves as a city on bus stops as well as other infrastructure that we have,” Knack said. “Every time there’s been an analysis, it’s shown that it’s actually more cost-effective for the city still to use glass than it is to go to the plexiglass.” Knack says plexiglass is harder to clean after being hit by graffiti, which would introduce new costs to the city. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Noah Rishaug and Jeremy Thompson
