Sherwood Park Minute: Cruiser Cram, Library Survey, and Infrastructure Funding Increased

Sherwood Park Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Sherwood Park politics

This Week In Sherwood Park:

• There will be a meeting of Council on Tuesday at 9:00 am. The meeting begins with a closed session, wherein Council will discuss County ownership and operation of the Warren Thomas Airport, a long-term lease for food services space in Millenium Place, and a proposed addition to the Commemorative Names Registry, among other items. During the public portion of the meeting, the agenda includes a discussion about taking on debt to finance the construction of the Emergency Services Station at Cambrian Crossing, as well as the 2025 Meeting Dates Schedule.
  
  
• The Strathcona County Library is conducting a community survey to gather feedback for its upcoming service plan. The Library is seeking input on current services, new ideas, and ways to become more welcoming and accessible. Recent statistics show a surge in library use, with a 33% increase in in-person visits and a 14% rise in digital borrowing. The survey is open until October 22nd and can be accessed online.
  
  
• On Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Strathcona County Enforcement Services and the RCMP will hold their annual "Cram the Cruiser" event at Save-on-Foods on Broadway Boulevard, and Sobeys and Superstore on Baseline Road. Shoppers are encouraged to fill a police cruiser with donations for the Strathcona Food Bank. The event supports the food bank during its busiest season, with much-needed items being cereal, pasta sauce, and canned goods. In 2023, the Strathcona Food Bank served 17,177 people and distributed over 5,500 hampers. All donations will stay within the County to assist local families in need.

Last Week In Sherwood Park:

• The redevelopment of Sherwood Care has begun, with a $113 million project set to modernize the facility. The provincial government has committed $87.9 million through the Continuing Care Capital Program, contributing to the construction of a six-story building designed to house 210 continuing care beds and 12 hospice beds. The new facility will offer smaller households with private rooms and shared dining and living spaces to improve personalized care and infection control. Located near Festival Place, it will also serve as a community hub, offering amenities such as a bistro, hair salon, and rehabilitation areas. The project is expected to be completed by 2027.
  
  
• It was announced that new Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) calculations mean Strathcona County will receive an additional $2 million in provincial infrastructure funding in 2025, bringing its total to $14.2 million. This funding increase is part of the province's $820 million boost to the LGFF for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Mayor Rod Frank noted that it is still significantly less than what was received under the previous Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI), which provided up to $25 million in 2015.
  
  
• The Strathcona County Museum and Archives has requested additional municipal funding to support its growing demands ahead of the 2025 budget deliberations. The museum is seeking an increase in funding, from $337,500 in 2024 to $417,000 in 2025, to improve staffing, handle a backlog of collections, and enhance visitor experiences. They also plan to address storage limitations, upgrade technology, and expand community outreach programs. The museum, housed in Sherwood Park's first fire station, has seen a significant rise in visitors and community engagement, but has been forced to turn down some requests due to staffing constraints. Council will consider the Museum’s funding request during upcoming budget discussions.