St. Albert Minute: Statue Replacement, Volunteer Deficit, and a Park Signage Giveaway

St. Albert Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of St. Albert politics

This Week In St. Albert:

• On Tuesday, at 6:30 pm, there will be a meeting of the Community Services Advisory Committee. The agenda includes a review of the Community Events Grant submissions. The Environmental Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday at 6:00 pm to discuss a Community Emissions Plan Development Workshop.
  
  
• The City is hosting a historic park signage giveaway on Thursday at the Hemingway Centre (25 Sir Winston Churchill Ave.). The wooden plank signs, used from the 1970s until a few years ago, feature brown paint and yellow lettering. Replaced between 2015 and 2017, these signs have been stored since with no intended use, prompting the City to offer them for free to collectors as yard decorations. Those interested in acquiring a sign should consider bringing a truck, as most are quite heavy and approximately 10 feet long. The City has around 90 signs available, and the giveaway will take place from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
  
  
• St. Albert is advocating for the Province to reverse its ban on vote counting machines, citing concerns that recent changes to Alberta election rules will lead to higher costs and less reliable voting. At the upcoming Alberta Municipalities Convention, the City will propose a motion to allow municipalities to use their preferred vote counting systems, aiming for accurate and timely election results. Mayor Cathy Heron expressed that manual counting could delay results by several days, complicating the election process.

Last Week In St. Albert:

• During her State of the City address, Mayor Cathy Heron highlighted significant growth projects in St. Albert, emphasizing the development of the Anthony Henday Business Park. The newly occupied Building 2A will host RAISE Sports, featuring 20 pickleball courts, soccer pitches, and a sports-focused daycare, which Heron believes will enhance recreational opportunities for residents. She noted that the City has added nearly two million square feet of new warehousing space in the past six years and has experienced the fastest permit turnaround times in the region. The Mayor also mentioned the successful establishment of nearly 1,000 new businesses, including familiar brands like Best Buy and local ice cream shops. Heron's speech was attended by about 250 people.
  
  
• The Arts Development Advisory Committee has recommended that Council allocate $30,000 from a public art reserve fund to commission a replacement statue of Saint Albert, which was stolen in 2023. The new bronze statue, which would be created by sculptor Al Henderson, will likely be located indoors at St. Albert Place. The new piece will be slightly smaller than the original and aims to capture the emotional essence of the beloved statue that resonated with the community. The rising theft of bronze art is a global concern, making it increasingly difficult to keep such sculptures outdoors. Despite insurance coverage, the funds will not fully cover the cost.
  
  
• During a Standing Committee of the Whole meeting, St. Albert officials presented the new Social Services Roadmap, aimed at improving volunteerism over the next three to five years. Many local service groups are reevaluating their strategies to attract volunteers, particularly in light of challenges posed by busy schedules in the post-pandemic landscape. The 27-member Volunteer Manager's Group meets regularly to explore ways to support agencies, including enhancing the visibility of volunteer opportunities on the city's website and social media. A volunteer fair scheduled for October 6th has already attracted 22 organizations focusing on sports, wellness, culture, and arts programs.

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