Sherwood Park Minute: Nourish Centre, Population Growth, and Mental Health Classrooms

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 on account of the Alberta Municipalities Convention taking place in Red Deer.
  
  
• Strathcona County is experiencing significant growth, with its population reaching 103,829, a 3.5% increase since the last census in 2022. The urban area of Sherwood Park accounted for the majority of this growth, adding 2,575 residents, while the rural area gained 891. Ward 4 saw the highest growth rate at 8.11%, highlighting a trend of increasing economic activity and demand for services. The census also indicated a high level of home ownership, with 84% of residents owning their homes, and a low vacancy rate of 5%.
  
  
• Strathcona County is set to welcome Canada's first waste-to-energy facility with integrated carbon capture, thanks to a $2.8 million investment from the province through Emissions Reduction Alberta. The project, led by Varme Energy, involves a $6.1 million front-end engineering and design study, with construction anticipated to start in 2025 and operations expected by 2027. The facility aims to process over 200,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, converting it into electricity while capturing more than 1 million tonnes of CO2 over its lifespan.

Last Week In Sherwood Park:

• The groundbreaking for the Sherwood Heights replacement school was held, marking a significant milestone for Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS). This new K-9 facility will replace both Sherwood Heights and École Campbelltown, which have been integral to the community for over 60 years. Scheduled to open in September 2026, the new school will accommodate 1,015 students and feature state-of-the-art facilities, including specialized rooms for various subjects and two gymnasiums.
  
  
• During a press conference at Bev Facey Community High,Mental Health and Addiction Minister Dan Williams revealed that a provincial initiative will create 60 new classrooms for students requiring additional support due to mental health conditions. These classrooms will benefit around 1,500 students across approximately 140 communities in Alberta. These classrooms will allow students in Grades 4 to 12 to receive specialized support while remaining engaged in their education. This expansion includes nine new classrooms this semester, with Bev Facey Community High becoming the second Elk Island Public school to host one. Parents have reported positive outcomes from the program, noting significant improvements in their children's emotional skills and academic performance.
  
  
• The Strathcona Food Bank (SFB) unveiled plans for a new $5 million facility called the Nourish Centre, aimed at meeting the growing demand for food assistance. The new building would be approximately 30% larger than the current location and is set to break ground in 2025. SFB is seeking support from Council, including letters of endorsement and financial assistance valued at $250,000 per year for three years. With a 200% increase in clients since 2021, the food bank aims to combat food insecurity, which affects about 20,000 residents in Strathcona County.