COVID-19 update

Starting October 6, private outdoor gatherings are limited to 20 people and 2m distancing. Proof of vaccinations required to access non-essential County services, effective September 20. Masks and physical distancing are mandatory province-wide in all indoor public spaces, workplaces and public vehicles. Albertans 12+ can get vaccinated. View the current Strathcona County COVID-19 case count. Isolation is mandatory if you have COVID-19 or core COVID-19 symptoms.

Recreation and Culture Strategy

On this page

Community infographic
Recreation and Culture Strategy FAQs

Building Community: A strategy for recreation, parks and culture services in Strathcona County

Implementing the Recreation and Culture Strategy

The new Recreation and Culture Strategy focuses on five key areas: community needs, inclusion, building capacity, environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility. These areas of focus serve to inform the priorities in the draft implementation plan. The detailed 12-year implementation plan has been developed with short, medium and long-term priorities, including public investment recommendations.

Implementation Plan

The Recreation and Culture Strategy was approved by Council on October 8, 2019.

What went into the strategy?

The public engagement process is summarized in this Public Engagement Overview. Read a summary of the feedback we have received in this What We Heard report.

In addition to the public engagement, research was conducted and summarized in five key areas: Community profile, County plans and policies, Trends, Broader planning review and Facilities and spaces.

We met with the following Council Advisory committees in the Fall of 2019 to gather their insights in consideration of the development of the Implementation Plan.

See what services are offered by Recreation, Parks and Culture:

Community Infographic

Recreation and Culture Strategy FAQs

1. About the Strategy
Permanent link to About the Strategy
About the Strategy

Recreation, Parks and Culture is currently planning for the development of a 12-year strategy which will replace the County’s existing Open Space and Recreation Facility Strategy (OSRFS). The new strategy, Recreation and Culture Strategy, will expand the focus on revitalizing and introducing new indoor and open space infrastructure and instead focus on a more holistic view of recreation, parks and cultural priorities in the community.

Several enhancements to community recreation came out of the OSRFS, including but not limited to, the construction of Emerald Hills Leisure Centre and Sports Pavilion with artificial turf, the revitalization of Ardrossan Recreation Complex and Glen Allan Recreation Complex, the construction of Broadmoor Lake Park Spray Park and Playground, Josephburg trail and more.
2. Advisory Committee information
Permanent link to Advisory Committee information
Advisory Committee information

Find out more about the Advisory Committee.
3. Why is a new strategy being developed?
Permanent link to Why is a new strategy being developed?
Why is a new strategy being developed?

Recreation, Parks and Culture is currently planning for the development of a 12-year strategy which will replace the County’s existing Open Space and Recreation Facility Strategy (OSRFS). The new strategy will expand the County's focus on revitalizing and introducing new indoor and open space infrastructure and instead focus on a more holistic view of recreation, parks and cultural priorities in the community.
4. What opportunities will there be for me to provide input?
Permanent link to What opportunities will there be for me to provide input?
What opportunities will there be for me to provide input?
The opportunities for input into the strategy have concluded. A "What We Heard" report will be available in May and a draft strategy will be presented based on the input received to-date.

Phase I Engagement
- Jun – Oct 2018: Intercept surveys at various events and community locations listed below
- Sep 4 – Oct 15, 2018: Household survey (coded)
- Oct 1 – Nov 9, 2018: Household survey (open) - SCOOP/website/hardcopy
- Oct 15 – Nov 25, 2018: Community group survey
- Oct 15 – Nov 25, 2018: Youth survey delivered through schools/SCOOP/website/hardcopy
- Nov – Dec 2019: Community group interview engagement summary
- Mar 7, 2019: Public Engagement Overview
Phase II Engagement

Mar 13 and Apr 4, 2019 – Two community conversations were held with over 100 people in attendance. Over 400 stakeholder groups were invited to attend, which represented various sport, culture and community groups, places of worship, businesses and service clubs. The conversations were designed to dig deeper into the information we've heard from the community so far.

Intercept Survey Locations
- Strathcona Community Hospital: Oct 15, 9 am - 12 pm
- Blood Donor Clinic - Agora: Oct 16, 3 - 6 pm
- Glen Allan Recreation Complex: Oct 17, 12 - 3 pm
- Strathcona County Health Centre Flu Clinic - Oct 18, 10 am - 2 pm
- Senior's Dance - Log Cabin: Oct 18, 6:15 - 9 pm
- Strathcona County Health Centre Flu Clinic: Oct 19, 9 am - 1 pm
- Strathcona County Library: Oct 20, 12 - 3 pm
- Strathcona County Health Centre Flu Clinic: Oct 22, 12 - 4 pm
- Moyer Recreation Centre: Oct 23, 6 - 9 pm
- Farmer's Market - Community Centre: Oct 24, 4 - 7 pm
- Strathcona County Health Centre Flu Clinic: Oct 25, 1 - 5 pm
- Strathcona County Health Centre Flu Clinic: Oct 26, 9 am - 1 pm
- Sherwood Park Mall Food Court: Oct 27, 12 - 3 pm
- Strathcona Museum - Spooky Saturday: Oct 27, 6 - 9 pm
- Haunted Halloween Skate - Ardrossan Recreation Complex: Oct 28, 12:30 - 3:30 pm
- Ardrossan Recreation Complex: Oct. 30, 5 - 8 pm
5. How will this strategy tie into the County’s vision to be “Become Canada’s most livable community”?
Permanent link to How will this strategy tie into the County’s vision to be “Become Canada’s most livable community”?
How will this strategy tie into the County’s vision to be “Become Canada’s most livable community”?

Recreation and Culture touches many people in their lives and enriches their quality of life and wellbeing.

Recreation and Culture opportunities are an important tool to build strong communities to support the diverse needs of residents.

With the forward looking approach of this strategy it will help manage, invest and plan for sustainable municipal infrastructure.

Recreation and Culture helps to provide facilities and services that are available and accessible to residents.
6. When will the final strategy be developed?
Permanent link to When will the final strategy be developed?
When will the final strategy be developed?

The Recreation and Culture Strategy was approved by Council on October 8, 2019. A 12-year implementation plan will be developed to support the strategy with a target completion of spring, 2020.
7. Where can I go to stay up to date on the progress of the strategy?
Permanent link to Where can I go to stay up to date on the progress of the strategy?
Where can I go to stay up to date on the progress of the strategy?

Strathcona.ca/RecreationCulture
8. What will happen to any outstanding projects from the Open Space and Recreation Facility Strategy (OSRFS)?
Permanent link to What will happen to any outstanding projects from the Open Space and Recreation Facility Strategy (OSRFS)?
What will happen to any outstanding projects from the Open Space and Recreation Facility Strategy (OSRFS)?

While the strategy is being developed, the outstanding projects from OSRFS, or new ones with significant investment, may be approved in the meantime.

Related topics

Activities

Recreation centres

Festivals and events

Public engagement

Boards and committees

Recreation and Culture Strategy Advisory Committee

Last updated: Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Page ID: 50196

Other links