Sherwood Park Minute: Issue 79

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

📅 This Week In Sherwood Park: 📅

• Strathcona County’s 2025 municipal election ballot is now finalized. On Nomination Day, Benjamin Biel entered the Mayoral race, preventing incumbent Rod Frank from winning by acclamation. Biel has a background in digital arts, electrical work, and quality assurance. Frank is seeking a third term, emphasizing municipal services, affordability, and support for all sectors. Ward 5 incumbent Aaron Nelson was acclaimed, while 16 other candidates are contesting Council seats across various wards. School board elections for Elk Island Public Schools and Elk Island Catholic Schools are also set, with some Trustees acclaimed. Advance and drive-thru voting options are available, and a Chamber of Commerce all-candidates forum is scheduled for October 6th at Festival Place.
  
  
• Incumbent Robert Parks is seeking a third term as Ward 1 Councillor. Parks emphasizes affordability, responsible growth, and maintaining strong public services, including roads, transit, parks, and seniors’ supports. He also prioritizes completing the long-planned seniors’ hub, addressing infrastructure that is both functional and sustainable. He argues that municipal government should focus on service rather than politics. With experience from two terms, Parks is encouraging residents to vote for continuity and effective leadership in the ward.
  
  
• Nominations are now open for the 48th annual Sherwood Park and District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, with submissions accepted until October 20th. This year’s awards recognize businesses in five categories: Business of the Year, Community Attraction, Leading Edge, Global Growth, and New Entrepreneur. The awards celebrate local business leadership, industry achievements, and contributions to Strathcona County’s business community. The ceremony will be held at Festival Place on November 21st. Last year’s winners included The Italian Centre Shop, Manual Labour Beer Co., The Design Studio | MTS Renovations, WOW! Factor Desserts, and Dr. Brent Saik of Alberta Sports Vision Institute. Nominations can be submitted via the Chamber’s website.
  
  
• The Strathcona County Museum and Archives celebrated the renaming of its Indigenous Peoples gallery to Touches Earth, Echoing Sky Lodge with a gathering of Indigenous artists on September 20th. The newly renamed gallery showcases a rotating collection of Indigenous art, including a large mural by Edmonton Councillor and artist Aaron Paquette, complemented by stained glass installations. Artists at the event emphasized themes of community, cultural expression, and bridging connections between Indigenous peoples and the broader public. The Museum hopes the gallery and events like this will promote ongoing representation and cultural exchange.
  
  
• The Peak Athletic Centre has opened in Sherwood Park as the community’s first facility dedicated to volleyball and pickleball. The 10,000-square-foot venue can be configured for up to four pickleball courts or three volleyball courts, including a competition-level volleyball setup. The grand opening featured a volleyball exhibition tournament with local high school teams testing the space. With limited court availability in the area, Peak Athletic offers a local option for both recreational and competitive players. Experienced staff bring expertise from university-level coaching to enhance athlete development. The facility hosts volleyball during evenings and weekends, while pickleball courts are available for weekday rentals. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

The municipal election is now underway.

Nomination day has passed, and the list of candidates is now final.

You can view the complete list of candidates on the City’s official election website:

🪙 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!