Sherwood Park Minute: Mayoral Reflections, Nourish Centre, and Happy New Year

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

This Week In Sherwood Park:

• There are no Council or Committee meetings this week. Regularly scheduled meetings will resume on January 14th.
  
  
• Tuesday is New Year’s Eve! The New Year's Festival will take place from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and will feature family-friendly activities and entertainment, culminating in a fireworks show at Broadmoor Lake Park. The event includes Lego displays, aerial performances, snowshoeing, and a fire dancer, along with s'mores, hot chocolate, and ice sculptures. Visitors can enjoy winter sports like shinny hockey and recreational skating at the Sherwood Park Arena. Donations for the Strathcona Food Bank will be collected during the event.
  
  
• As we ring in the New Year, we’re reflecting on the work we’ve accomplished and the challenges ahead. To kick off 2025 strong, we’ve set a goal to raise $5,000 by midnight on December 31st. This crucial fundraiser will ensure we can continue our mission in the coming year. If you’ve valued our efforts and want to see us achieve even more, please consider making a donation today. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference, and we’re incredibly thankful for your support. Click here to donate and help us start the year on the right foot. Thank you and Happy New Year!

Last Week In Sherwood Park:

• The Strathcona Food Bank has purchased land for its new $5 million Nourish Centre, set to begin construction in 2025. The 15,000-square-foot facility will feature a commercial kitchen, community spaces, and a shop-the-shelves model, allowing clients to select food based on their preferences. The Food Bank aims to raise funds through grants, capital campaigns, and community support, as it faces a 200% increase in demand since 2021. With rising food costs, the food bank has seen a significant strain on its resources, providing over 8,800 hampers this year.
  
  
• Mayor Rod Frank reflected on Strathcona County's growth in 2024, highlighting a 3.5% population increase and significant industrial investments, including major projects from Bartlett Group, Shell, and Imperial Oil. The County also focused on key capital projects, such as the $65 million field house and improvements to local facilities. A top challenge for the year was managing inflation, particularly its impact on construction costs. Looking ahead to 2025, Frank aims to continue supporting economic, residential, and agricultural growth while preparing for his re-election bid. He emphasized the importance of balancing urban and rural needs and staying vigilant about the impact of global politics on local industries.
  
  
• Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) has unveiled the new name for the Sherwood Heights Replacement School. It will now be called Forest Grove School. The name was chosen after gathering input from the community and reflects the area's tree-themed street names. Forest Grove School, set to open for the 2026-27 school year, will house students from Sherwood Heights Junior High and École Campbelltown, offering both French Immersion and English junior high programs. EIPS hopes the new name will help foster a unique identity and culture for the students and staff. The school will also feature an elementary French Immersion program.