County Initiatives in Strathcona County of in the Event of a Disaster, Strathcona County Residents Ride Will Be Notified Through the Alberta Emergency Alert System
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Strathcona County Keeping you informed December 2012 Message from your Mayor and County Council A season to reflect and celebrate Open for business Efforts rewarded Strathcona County is open for business, so I was Our efforts in other areas – from innovative planning pleased in September to share that Sasol had reached to community creativity and spirit – were recognized an option to purchase agreement with Total E&P by others outside of our community this year. I would Canada on their site in the County. Sasol is now like to mention two of these. evaluating the opportunity to build Canada’s first Strathcona County’s planners received a 2012 Award gas-to-liquids (GTL) facility in Alberta’s Industrial of Planning Merit in the Education or Special Study Heartland. category from the Alberta Professional Planners Strathcona County and Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Institute (APPI) for their Sustainable Plan-it program. have worked tirelessly over the past two years to Sustainable Plan-it teaches students about sustainable help Sasol understand the merits and advantages of neighbourhood planning. The program guides students developing their next facility in our region. We will through conversations about how neighbourhoods continue to do so until that decision is made sometime can be sustained over time, considering vital elements in 2014. Merry Christmas from (l-r): Vic Bidzinski, Ward 1; such as water, well-being and waste. Students also learn Peter Wlodarczak, Ward 4; Linda Osinchuk, Mayor; Should Sasol choose to build here, their investment how these relate to the three pillars of sustainability Jason Gariepy, Ward 8; Roxanne Carr, Ward 2; will create a new industry for Canada, diversify – environmental, social, and economic – which Brian Botterill, Ward 3; Clinton Alexander, Ward 5; the Alberta economy and create new employment Strathcona County has adopted. Bonnie Riddell, Ward 7, and Linton Delainey, Ward 6. opportunities. A GTL facility would create more than Our County also received the top national award in As another year draws to a close, I find myself 500 new, permanent skilled jobs once in operation the Class of Champions during the Communities in reflecting on our County’s many accomplishments, and employ over 5,000 other individuals during peak Bloom National Awards Ceremonies in October. and about the challenges and opportunities ahead. construction periods. Certainly, if the last three months are any indication, We received a five-bloom rating (highest score) In Strathcona County, being open for business we have a lot to celebrate, and can look forward to recognizing the Beaver Hills Moraine for its unique includes hosting national and international sporting exciting times ahead. vision and initiative. Strathcona County competed in events. In addition to bringing revenue into our the large community category against City of Barrie, Below is a short list of what has taken place. community, these events are valuable in shining a Ontario; City of Charlottetown, Prince Edward light on our world-class recreational facilities, and on Island; City of Fort St. John, British Columbia; City Chief Commissioner our community’s energy and spirit. of Lethbridge, Alberta, and the City of Medicine Hat, In October, I had the pleasure of introducing a new Alberta. Chief Commissioner to our community. Robert Coon joined our municipality on November 26, Christmas greetings coming to us from Rocky View County. He has All considered, we have a great deal to be thankful for more than 20 years’ experience serving Alberta’s in Strathcona County and I truly believe we’ll have municipal sector – from county manager of Rocky even more good things to look forward to in 2013. View County, Red Deer County and Saddle Hills We will continue to do everything in our power to County, to experience as Business and Public Affairs ensure that Strathcona County remains an economic Coordinator (Parkland County) and Supervisor of force and one of the best places to live and raise a Planning and Development (Athabasca County). family in Alberta. It speaks well of Strathcona County that we were able to I hope that you will join me in this season of attract a candidate of Rob’s calibre to our community. Mayor Linda Osinchuk (left) with Jessica MacDonald- celebration, in reflecting on our accomplishments Council is putting his strong background and relevant Bondy, Canadian gold medal winner (centre). and opportunities. Together, we can achieve anything experience to good use as we work to develop a new For the first time, Canada hosted the 2012 Women’s we set our collective minds to achieving. On behalf strategic plan and implement recommendations arising World Wrestling Championships in September. of Council, I wish you and yours the very best of the from the organizational review. This is a sport in which Canada is a leading country. Christmas season. May your days be filled with the Rob is passionate about municipal governance and Millennium Place in Sherwood Park was chosen as warmth of family and friends. has embraced the challenges of the position eagerly. the host site for this world event. His energy is a great addition to our team. We were also pleased to announce that we had been On behalf of Council, I would like to extend our selected to host the Canada 55+ Games in August appreciation to Kevin Glebe, for ably supporting us 2014. This is the first time the games have been hosted as interim chief commissioner during the six months in Alberta since 1998. In addition to bringing our Mayor Linda leading up to Rob’s appointment. community an estimated economic benefit of $4 million, these games will allow us to showcase our love of sport, community and wellness on a national stage. And, we hosted the 2012 Pan American Junior Badminton Championships at Millennium Place in We hope you enjoy this edition July. This event brought over 300 young athletes (8 There’s more news inside… from a profile of the to 18) from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, United Facilities Services Department to details on the LIVING. REFINED. States, and Venezuela, just to name a few, to compete Pride of Strathcona Awards and News Year’s Eve in badminton singles and doubles matches. celebrations. Strathcona County Living 1 Upcoming Events New Year’s Eve Festival Join us for an evening of safari-themed fun! Saturday, December 31 • Snow painting* and campfire cooking* – have 4 p.m - 8 p.m. some fun painting the snow and enjoying some campfire cooking on Prairie Walk (located between Festival Place and the Community Broadmoor Lake Park, the Community Centre and Centre) Festival Place will be transformed for a fabulous family fun evening on New Year’s Eve. Ring in 2013 • Horse-drawn sleigh rides ($1 per ticket) – have with a night of FREE family fun and entertainment fun on an old-fashioned horse-drawn sleigh ride for the whole family. At 8 p.m., the New Year’s at Festival Place Eve festivities end with a bang, during the Family • Snowshoeing* – lace up some snowshoes just Photography David Doyle © 2010 Fireworks (presented by Sherwood Park Mall) at outside Festival Place • Family fun zone that includes giant inflatables, Broadmoor Lake. building zone, plasma cars and crafts in the Community Centre Agora This year, there are plenty of activities for all ages to enjoy, including: • Festive hair creations in the Community Centre Agora • Magical Iceland Playground, presented by *some activities are weather dependent. the Sherwood Park Elks. Check out a unique, unforgettable experience for the entire family on a playground made of ice. Make sure you Free Park ‘N Ride check out the jungle slide by the picnic shelter at • Sherwood Park Transit Centre to Broadmoor Broadmoor Lake Park Lake starts at 4 p.m. and runs every half hour. • Human-sized bowling on ice! Bring your skates • Broadmoor Lake to Sherwood Park Transit For indoor fun, feel free to warm up enjoying the Centre starts at 4:15 p.m. Departs in front of and helmets for a game of ice-bowling at the following activities: Sherwood Park Arena ice. Enjoy the Sherwood Festival Place and runs every half hour. Last Park Figure Skaters’ performance from 7 p.m. – • Madagascar show, featuring Alex the Lion shuttle is at 8:45 p.m. 7:45 p.m. from Madagascar 3 at Festival Place at 5 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be Further information • Skating* – enjoy a family skate on Broadmoor purchased at County recreational facilities 780-467-2211 Lake or on the sports centre ice at the Sherwood Park Arena from 4 p.m. – 7:50 p.m. • Face painting at Festival Place and Community Centre The New Year’s FUN continues! • Tobogganing* and hot chocolate – bring Join us January 1 for free skating, hot chocolate your sleds for some winter fun at Broadmoor • Petting zoo, crafts, juggling at Festival Place ride of and fun activities at the Sherwood Park Sports Lake Park, then warm up with some free hot • Blacklight zone (painting bubbles & hula hoops) Centre, or plan to start the New Year on the chocolate at the picnic shelter at Festival Place right foot by enjoying cross-country skiing and • Aerial artists handing out glow sticks (4:15 p.m., • Fire performances – be sure to watch the trathcona snowshoeing at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre 5:15 p.m, 6:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m.) amazing fire performances at 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Activities include toonie p.m. at Festival Place, or at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. at • Photo booth in the Communitywar dsCentre ski lessons (1 p.m., 2 p.m.