Public invited to dig deeper into Community Talk

Residents, and those who work in Strathcona County, are invited to dig deeper into emerging themes resulting from Community Talk’s recent public engagement.

In the first phase of the Community Talk campaign, nearly 8,000 people took part in open and honest conversations about what’s working well and where gaps exist. These conversations are an important step to creating a supported, safe and connected community in Strathcona County.

As part of next steps, the public is invited to attend one of two community dialogues to further explore the emerging themes resulting from the public engagement.

• March 6
  6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  Millennium Place, 2000 Premier Way, Sherwood Park
• March 11
  9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  Ardrossan Jr./Sr. High School, 53129 Range Road 222, Ardrossan

When asked how we can improve as a community, the following top eight themes emerged from the public’s feedback:

1. Affordability (housing, childcare, transportation, recreation, income).
2. Need to work together for common goals
3. Feeling of safety
4. Fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance
5. Improvements to the transit system (routes and frequency);
6. More community events: neighbourhoods and County-wide
7. Increase in mental health awareness and services available
8. Better access to programs and services

Similarly, four themes emerged from the second open-ended question asking ‘what can you do to help build a stronger community?’

1. Citizenship
   • Volunteerism
   • Community involvement
   • Help one another (empathy)
   • Work with each other to reach common goals (collaboration)
   • Neighbourliness
2. Respect others and accept differences (inclusion, diversity, equity)
3. Community awareness
4. Voice important issues (advocacy) 

Further information, including registration and the What We Heard report or call 780-464-4044.

All information collected will inform the creation of the new social framework for Strathcona County. This renewed framework is anticipated to be presented at the May 16, 2017 Priorities Committee meeting.

Set in the centre of Alberta’s energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a thriving, successful and vibrant community of over 98,000 residents. Strathcona County is made up of the urban area of Sherwood Park and a large adjacent rural area of farms, acreages and smaller hamlets. It is home to 75 per cent of refining in Western Canada. With a focus on economic, governance, social, cultural and environmental sustainability, Strathcona County is committed to balancing the unique needs of its diverse community.

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Contact:
Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595