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More than 175 clients of inner-city social agencies will get part-time jobs serving food and drinks at Rogers Place.

Seventeen others have been hired to help with giving directions and taking tickets. Six have been hired after getting training through NorQuest College’s new hospitality institute, a program running with $1.5 million in bursaries and support from the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation.

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With an open house looming for the new arena, eyes are turning to downtown and many will wonder if Edmonton’s big move is paying off. The promised redevelopment in new hotels and office towers should rebalance city books. But will the new arena be a burden or a blessing for the locals?

“It’s great to see that many folks getting hired,” said Julian Daly, who has been disappointed so far at the community benefits. Daly is executive director of Boyle Street Community Services, an outreach centre near the arena that works with low-income and homeless residents.