Sherwood Park Minute: Issue 73

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

📅 This Week In Sherwood Park: 📅

• Construction has begun on Oak Street, where the County is resurfacing the road, replacing defective sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, and adding a new roundabout at the intersection with Beauvista Drive and Brentwood Boulevard. The project also includes relocating crosswalks and adding curb extensions to make pedestrian crossings shorter and safer. Officials say access to homes and nearby facilities will remain open, though temporary detours may be required. The work is taking place alongside a separate project that began in June to upgrade the sanitary line on Brentwood Boulevard. Strathcona County says the two projects were phased together to reduce disruptions and keep traffic flowing. The Oak Street work is expected to take two to four weeks, overlapping with the start of the school year on August 28th. To minimize impacts, the County is coordinating with contractors to ensure safe vehicle access and school bus routes during drop-off and pick-up times.
  
  
• The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village east of Sherwood Park will remain closed for the rest of the summer after a devastating wildfire in April destroyed key facilities, including the visitor centre, gift shop, exhibition galleries, offices, and curatorial storage. The fire, driven by strong winds, also consumed artifacts, furnishings, and research files, though many historical buildings, the iconic red barn, the band shell, and farm program facilities were spared. Artifacts stored off-site by the Royal Alberta Museum also remain safe. Officials described the loss as “profound” but stressed their commitment to rebuilding and reopening the site so future generations can continue learning about Alberta’s Ukrainian heritage. Alberta’s Minister of Arts and Culture reaffirmed provincial support, calling the village an invaluable cultural resource. In the meantime, Ukrainian Day celebrations will still take place on August 24th at the Alberta Legislature Grounds. 
  
  
• Strathcona County’s Next Gen youth leadership group is launching a new project called Young Artists in Motion, which will showcase local youth art on transit buses. The theme, “What moves me,” invites young people to explore ideas of movement, identity, and emotion through visual art, poetry, or a combination of both. Three submissions will be chosen to be displayed inside buses this fall, with the goal of celebrating youth talent and promoting kindness on transit. Inspired by Toronto’s Poetry in Transit program, the idea was brought forward by local poet and Next Gen member Arhm Iqbal. Organizers hope the project will give youth a meaningful platform to express themselves while connecting with their community. Submissions are open until August 21st, with the selected works debuting on buses September 30th.
  
  
• Sherwood Park - Fort Saskatchewan MP Garnett Genuis highlighted a growing youth unemployment crisis in Canada, with 34,000 young people losing jobs in July alone and the youth unemployment rate hitting 14.6% - the highest in over 25 years. He says that first jobs are critical for gaining skills and financial independence, yet many young Canadians are being shut out of the job market, facing delayed independence and rising debt. Genuis pointed to broader economic struggles, including a decline in private-sector jobs and an over-reliance on public-sector employment, which he says limits opportunities and innovation. He is travelling the country to hear directly from employers, training institutions, and young people about the challenges they face. He argues that urgent action is needed to ensure young Canadians can access the jobs they need, and that Parliament must take responsibility to address this crisis immediately.
  
  
• Sherwood Care’s annual antique car show brought residents together on August 5th. Hosted with the Edmonton Antique Car Club, the event aims to create meaningful memories for residents by encouraging them to reminisce about their past experiences. Cars like a 1932 Chevrolet owned by Sherwood Park resident Robert Kohn provided a hands-on experience, and seeing residents’ reactions was a highlight for participants. The car club hosts similar community events throughout the year, emphasizing giving back and fostering connection. Sherwood Care CEO Kathy Fortunat said the show goes beyond entertainment, offering joy, comfort, and a sense of nostalgia for residents. The centre plans to continue this tradition, recognizing its positive impact on residents’ well-being. Their next major event will be the Grand Parade fundraising walk on September 21st to support quality-of-life initiatives.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

A lot of people have been asking about what Common Sense Sherwood Park is doing for the upcoming municipal election.

We plan to survey all Mayor and Councillor candidates and share that information closer to the vote.

In the meantime, you can see who is running by visiting the County's website.

Keep in mind, the list won’t be final until nominations close on September 22nd.

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!