Donating land to the BGC will provide social supports that enhance community well-being and safety and build community connection. 

One of the goals in Strathcona County’s Strategic Plan is a healthy and safe community. In support of this goal, BGC approached the County to support a proposed facility.   

At the public hearing, the BGC represented: 

• its credible reputation and community work 

• its lack of space, serving over 500 children, and bursting at the seams with hundreds more on the waiting list 

• a federal funding program announced in December of 2022 was available, an excellent opportunity requiring them to act before February 28 

• its building committee with expertise in engineering, finance, and architecture; and 

• intentions to respect the site from an environmental perspective. 

Boys and Girls Club is a registered non-profit organization, based in Sherwood Park. More information is available at www.scbgc.com.    
 

Strathcona County is committed to ensuring residents have an opportunity to provide input on decisions that affect them.   

A reserve designation removal is a Council decision. The decision before Council at the February 14 Public Hearing was to remove the municipal reserve designation from a portion of the site to support potential construction of the Boys and Girls Club facility on the school site.  

The Public Hearing process is the formal mechanism for residents to speak to Council directly on the matter.  

Council heard from over 35 speakers at the hearing, both for and against the Brentwood Elementary School site. This, along with the limited lands available, contributed to the decision made.  

Municipal reserve status was removed so land could be donated to the BGC. BGC can now proceed with fund raising to design the facility. 

A typical turnaround for a large-scale federal grant application is six months from the closing date of the grant intake. BGC will have the most current information on the status of their application. 

Once BGC has funding, it would apply for a development permit. 

Based on concerns from those who live in the Brentwood neighbourhood, Council has stipulated conditions that must be met before the County transfers land and ultimately issue a permit: 

• robust consultation with neighbourhood,  

• replacement of trees and habitat,  

• environmentally responsible build, including net zero,  

• the lands to revert to Strathcona County if BGC is not successful with grants and fundraising; and 

• Strathcona County contribution limited to land transfer. 

Any inability of BGC to meet these conditions would require further Council decision. 

As a condition of land transfer, Council has stipulated that BGC conduct robust community consultation.  This provides an opportunity for residents to inform items such as building design, site design, landscaping and added amenities. 

Opportunities to be involved: 

• Engage with Council - priority meetings and hearings
• Communicate to Council
• Reach out to BGC
• Attend consultations when they are scheduled

 
As funding is a factor in the design of the facility, it may have an impact on the timing of consultation with the community. BGC would have the best response to timing of their consultation. 

As densities increase across the urban area, we are challenged with using County owned land as efficiently as possible and this includes sharing space with mutual benefit for all.  

The County worked with BGC to review suitable County-owned lands for the facility. Needs included:  

• being roughly 1.5 to 2 acres in size  

• centrally located to support their existing population 

• close to schools 

• in proximity to passive and active recreation 

• on a transit route 

• within walking distance to amenities such as the library.   

There are many demands on the land we have, including for schools, affordable housing projects, community hubs/halls, sports fields and buildings. 

Alternate County-owned land sites were reviewed and considered less suitable. 

Boys and Girls Club referenced the nature-based programming opportunities on this site which is an important aspect to consider when balancing the loss of trees and habitat with social and economic benefits. Building awareness around nature-based solutions to climate change results in a new generation of stewards and environmental leaders. 

Strathcona County has not yet received or issued a decision on a Development Permit Application.  We therefore do not yet have details about the site plan or impacts.   

The development permit application process will require BGC to submit any studies that may be required to assess or evaluate the proposed development along with a detailed site plan, building elevations, floor plans and parking details. 

All components of an application are subject to applicable regulations.  

No removal of trees or construction on-site can occur until approval has been obtained through issuance of a Development Permit. Any tree and vegetation removal will be conducted in accordance with municipal, provincial, and federal policy and legislation to protect wildlife, specifically during the reproductive seasons. The location selection does avoid the healthiest portion of the tree stand which is on the southeast portion of the site.  

Any off-site improvements required that are directly related to BGC (or any applicant) are the responsibility of the applicant.   

The proposed site is next to Brentwood Elementary School. The additional use would generate traffic that is largely off school peak times.  In other words, the existing road network and functionality is not anticipated to be impacted.  

Traffic considerations will be reviewed in depth once a development permit application has been submitted along with the required information on programming, facility capacity, peak hour(s) trips, etc.   

An access and traffic management plan will likely be required which will inform impacts such as existing or new cross walks and sidewalk modifications.  

Public access to the facility would likely be similar to a school. Public access to any secured building or area is subject to the operator’s permission.  Access to unsecured areas will remain similar to schools with reciprocal use being maintained where possible.    

A reserve designation removal is a Council decision. The decision before Council at the February 14 Public Hearing was to remove the municipal reserve designation from a portion of the site to support potential construction of the Boys and Girls Club facility on the school site. 

There were legitimate issues expressed from those who have homes and live in the neighbourhood, and where they invest their time, money, and energy. Concerns from neighbourhood residents included: 

• losing mature trees and wildlife that help make up the character of the neighbourhood, and that contribute to environmental sustainability
• not enough parking to support a building
• need for a more central location site
• losing outdoor recreation; and
• need for more consultation (note, the legal requirements for notice were met).

Hearing these concerns, Council proposed terms for any transfer of land to BGC:

• replacement of trees and habitat
• environmentally responsible build, including net zero
• robust consultation with neighbourhood
• the lands to revert back to Strathcona County if Boys and Girls Club is not successful with grants and fundraising; and
• Strathcona County contribution limited to land transfer.

This was a difficult decision for Council, where a credible community organization had an opportunity for funding, and where neighbourhood citizens had concerns.

Please contact Planning and Development Services.

Phone: 780-464-8080
Email: planninganddevelopmentservices@strathcona.ca