The lands proposed for the future arena are located within the North of Yellowhead Area Concept Plan - north of Highway 16 and west of Township Road 231 (Clover Bar Road), west of Cambrian Crossing in Strathcona County.

For the next step in the process, the Crusaders organization, as developer of the project, is required to apply for a development permit, before construction can begin. The County is committed to help mitigate any impacts of the arena development through permitting approval, working with the developer and adjacent landowners.

The land proposed for the future arena is located within the North of Yellowhead Area Concept Plan (ACP).

In addition to the April 9, 2024 public hearing, consultation with residents and stakeholders has been a component of the planning process for these lands as far back as 2002. Consultation for the development of the North of Yellowhead ACP has involved residents, property and business owners and other affected agencies. The initial consultation process undertaken in 2002 as part of the original development of the ACP included a variety of consultation methods including mail-outs, focus groups, interviews, workshops and roundtable session, open houses and public hearings. The subsequent amendments to the ACP also included public consultation processes prior to Council consideration.

After taking into consideration all feedback expressed through the consultation processes, as well as the comments heard at the public hearing in 2003, Council approved Bylaw 51-2003 that directs these lands to be developed as Light Industrial.  

While a portion of the plan area has remained as farmland, over time, the lands in the area have been developing in accordance with the approved North of Yellowhead ACP as amended. The North of Yellowhead ACP has been amended several times to revise the mix of land uses within the ACP area in response to market changes in Strathcona County since the ACP was adopted. View the North of Yellowhead ACP (PDF file).

In 2015, the County executed an Offer to Purchase privately-owned land south of an existing homestead. This triangular parcel was purchased with the intent to be used to construct a storm water management facility in conjunction with the road upgrades to support the urban development occurring in the area. The purchase of these lands was through a negotiated Offer to Purchase based on independent appraisal and fair market value, and not part of any expropriation.

After further detailed engineering analysis, it was determined that the additional storm water management facility would not be required. The County considered various options for the use of these lands that would align with the North of Yellowhead ACP, including the consideration of a future fieldhouse. At the January 18, 2022 meeting, Council ultimately chose an alternate site for a future fieldhouse and these lands remained as surplus.