New development plan

Spruce Grove is looking to the future now that City Council has adopted a new Municipal Development Plan. The MDP, titled Your Bright Future, unanimously passed third reading at council’s regular meeting on July 12.

The broad-based community plan sets out a vision for growth and change in Spruce Grove. It is based in community sustainability and brings together economic, environmental, and social elements. While the life of the plan is only until 2020 its parameters set vision for what the community could become in 2040.

Your Bright Future was developed through extensive community consultation, and fine tuned by the community and the City working together. Its framework is based on community identified needs for housing, parks, transportation, economic development, culture and heritage, recreation, community design, affordability, environmental management, and governance. The implementation of the plan will impact community members and the quality of life in Spruce Grove.

The path to Your Bright Future began in 2008, with the SpruceGroveQuest workshops, which identified the community’s values and vision for the future. Subsequent consultations included workshops, open houses and a web survey, which collected input on draft policies and the resulting drafts of the plan. Two public hearings gave the public opportunities to speak directly to council about the plan. Youth-specific sessions were included as part of the process.

“This plan represents a significant philosophical shift for our community, said Mayor Stuart Houston. “It also mirrors the maturing of the community as it moves from a bedroom community to a self-contained regional hub with a high quality of life.”

The mayor also noted that the plan truly represents the community’s vision for Spruce Grove because of the way it was developed.

“By involving our community from the grassroots level throughout this process, we have a plan that reflects all of our aspirations for what this city can become,” he said. “This is truly a comprehensive plan that will serve the entire Spruce Grove community

Your Bright Future will be implemented over the next ten years. A central component of the implementation strategy will be a major re-write of the Land Use Bylaw starting in the fall of 2010. The City will also develop indicators and targets to allow for on-going monitoring of the progress the City is making to achieve the community sustainability goals expressed in Your Bright Future. This progress will be reported annually to the community and Council.

[Source: City of Spruce Grove]

Spruce Grove seniors will benefit from 70 new affordable housing spaces to meet their needs, thanks to new provincial funding from Alberta Capital Bonds and the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative (ASLI).

Spruce Grove will have new affordable housing spaces for seniors, after the provincial government contributed $7 million toward the construction of Copper Sky Lodge (L-R) Housing And Urban Affairs Minister Jonathan Denis, Seniors and Community Supports Minister Mary Anne Jablonski, and Spruce Grove-Sturgeon- St. Albert MLA Doug Horner presented the cheque to Phil Gaudet of Choices in Community Living, the company that will build the facility.

The province has committed $7 million to Choices in Community Living Inc. to help build new spaces at theCopper Sky Lodge in Spruce Grove.
“Alberta seniors deserve accommodations that meet their personal care needs and helps couples to continue living together as they age,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “By increasing the supply of affordable housing with flexible care levels, the province is helping provide more options for seniors to remain as independent as possible while addressing their changing health and accommodations needs.”

“I’m proud that this new provincial funding will help build and update more than 1,000 new and updated spaces with adjustable levels of care,” said Mary Anne Jablonski, Minister of Seniors and Community Supports. “It reflects this government’s priority on preparing for an aging population, in part by helping more seniors to stay in their homes and communities longer.”

Increasing the supply of affordable spaces for seniors will create additional capacity in Alberta’s hospitals and emergency departments by providing alternative spaces for seniors to move into that will better meet their needs.

“Financing the construction of this new facility through capital bonds and ASLI is an innovative way of providing Spruce Grove seniors the choice and flexibility they want, and ought to have, to age in their own community,” said Ray Danyluk, Minister of Infrastructure.

The funding for the new spaces includes $55 million from Alberta Capital Bonds investments and $50 million from the provincially funded ASLI program. This will be leveraged with additional investment from the private and not-for profit sectors.

With this funding, the province has invested approximately $520 million towards developing and upgrading close to 9,500 affordable housing spaces with a variety of care levels since 1999.

The Copper Sky Lodge project is part of the Government of Alberta’s $7.2 billion investment in public infrastructure for 2010-2011 that will strengthen the economy, help keep Albertans working and provide core public services to maintain a high quality of life.

The Government of Alberta has a clear plan for a strong economic recovery. The Way Forward will bring Alberta back into a surplus position in three years by trimming government spending; using cash reserves to protect key programs; continuing to invest in public infrastructure; and ensuring that our province’s industries are competitive and continue to attract investment to provide jobs and prosperity. For more information on the plan visit Alberta.ca.

[Source: Government of Alberta]

21 Spruce Grove staff help Habitat

More than 20 City of Spruce Grove employees got a lesson in home construction on March 10, as they pitched in to help at the local Habitat For Humanity project on Spruce Ridge Road.

The charitable organization is completing six houses for families who can’t afford a conventional mortgage, using mostly volunteer labour. The families who will live in the houses are required to contribute 500 hours of sweat equity by participating in the construction.

“There are a lot of hard working people in our community who can’t afford a conventional mortgage,” said Long Range Planner Lindsey Butterfield. “Paying off $250,000 over 25 or 30 years can be manageable, but once you add down payments and interest, it’s out of reach for a lot of people.”

It was a frosty morning as the City of Spruce Grove volunteers donned work gloves, steel-toed shoes and hard hats and set to work hanging drywall and installing insulation. Many of them usually work at desk jobs, and were excited to have an opportunity to do something different for a day.

“It was physically challenging yet an absolutely enjoyable learning experience,” said Community and Protective Services General Manager Jackie Araujo. “I have a whole new appreciation for the skills and abilities of my colleagues.”

Some of those colleagues had never swung a hammer or driven a screw, but after a quick safety orientation and some basic instruction they found themselves cutting drywall, driving screws and stuffing insulation.

“I wanted to help give a family something so many of us have and take pride in – a home,” said Administrative Assistant Cindy Burton. As a member of the insulating group she said she wanted to make sure she did her job well. “It’s a big part of what a home can bring to a family, and that’s warmth,” she said.

For some, working on a Habitat project was something that they had been considering for a while, and the experience proved to be fulfilling enough that they want to do more.

“I’ve always wanted to do this sort of thing,” said Senior Parks and Open Space Operator Doug Reid. “It was certainly a good opportunity. I think I’ll try and get in some more of these.”

For Human Resources Administrator Terry Jensen, it was a way to give back. “It gives one a sense of community and helping the less fortunate,” she said. “It was also a team-building experience for our organization.  ‘Many hands make light work’ as the saying goes.”

After refuelling with a hot lunch donated by other city staff, the crew got back to work in the afternoon and by the end of the day had completely insulated one house, and finished hanging drywall throughout most of another.

“I was thoroughly amazed at the amount of work that was completed by our crew,” said Reid. “At the end of the day, I realized that I have some muscles that I haven’t used for a while.”

Burton agreed. “I have new respect for people in the construction business for the environment they work in and the job they do,” she added.

Araujo summed it up by noting the impact the staff’s contribution will have on them and their community. “It is extremely rewarding to know that our individual and collective efforts on just one day will truly make a difference in the lives of six families within our community,” she said.

Volunteers are still needed for the Spruce Grove Habitat For Humanity project. You can sign up by calling 780-479-3566 or find out more at www.hfh.org.

Mayor Stuart Houston

Families, neighbours, Habitat for Humanity (HFH) volunteers and staff gathered to witness the kick-off  celebration of HFH’s upcoming work in Spruce Grove. HFH has entered a unique partnership with Second Wind Enterprises  to bring six affordable homes to Spruce Grove. Local MLA, The Honourable Doug Horner, Minister of Advanced Education  and Technology, and his Worship, Mayor Stuart Houston, brought greetings on behalf of the Province of Alberta and the City  of Spruce Grove respectively.

“Habitat for Humanity is doing tremendous work for our communities by the community,” said Deputy Premier and Spruce  Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert MLA Doug Horner. “I applaud their many efforts across the Province and certainly here in Spruce  Grove.”

“I am proud to represent Spruce Grove City Council on a day that will be a new beginning for six families in our community,”  said Mayor Stuart Houston. “This project is also a beginning for us as we start implementing the recommendations of our  affordable housing strategy.”

HFH partner families do not receive a hand out, but rather a hand-up into home ownership. Families demonstrate that they are  in need, that they are able to pay an interest-free mortgage, and complete 500 hours of “sweat equity” – manual labour on the  build sites – as their down payment.

HFH homes are affordable because families pay an interest-free mortgage that is amortized to 25 per cent of their income.  However, these home ownership opportunities are not possible without the support of dedicated volunteers and donors. HFH  relies on partnerships to serve families in need of adequate housing and is thrilled that the Province of Alberta and the City of  Spruce Grove have supported the project in Spruce Grove.

“Spruce Grove is a wonderful community, and we’re really excited to give a hand up to deserving families,” said Alfred Nikolai,  President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Edmonton. “Affordable housing is a major issue across Alberta, and we are glad  that the Province of Alberta and City of Spruce Grove has taken the initiative to have Habitat for Humanity address the issue.”

About Habitat for Humanity Edmonton

Since 1991, Habitat for Humanity Edmonton has empowered low-income families to prepare for the future and pursue their  dreams by providing them a hand up into home ownership. By mobilizing volunteers and community partners in building  affordable housing and promoting home ownership, we break the cycle of poverty one door at a time.

Photos from the event

Deputy Premier of Alberta and Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert MLA Doug Horner

Spruce Grove Mayor Stuart Houston

Mary Cameron, Habitat for Humanity Board Chair

Group photo in front of build – pictured left to right: Alfred Nikolai, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Edmonton; David Ives, Owner, Second Wind Enterprises; Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert MLA Doug Horner, Shari Ives, Owner, Second Wind Enterprises; Alderman Bill Steinburg, City of Spruce Grove Council; Mary Cameron, Habitat for Humanity Edmonton Board Chair; City of Spruce Grove Mayor Stuart Houston; Alderman Wayne Rothe, City of Spruce Grove Council; Alderman Randy Palivoda, City of Spruce Grove Council.

Jenn Heil wins silver

Canada had high hopes that Jenn Heil would be their first gold medal win of the 2010 Olympic games in Vancouver.

On Saturday, during the Women’s Moguls Freestyle Skiing Final at Cypress Mountain, Jenn posted an impressive score, placing her in first place. But it was the skier that followed her, Hannah Kearney from the USA, that grabbed Olympic gold.

Heil, who is consistently described as a “class act,” commented:

I really do feel like I won the silver today.  It’s a fierce competition out there. The girls are so good. I really embrace that and, today, Hannah had the best run.

Local free WiFi

Who needs an office when you can pull up to your local Starbucks, order a coffee,  and get free internet access?

Here is a list places that offer wireless internet in Stony Plain and Spruce Grove:

Cafe Simone

Located in the Queen Street Medical Center in Spruce Grove, Cafe Simone is a hidden gem: a beautiful (and quiet) seating area, and good coffee, soup and sandwiches.  They are open until 5pm.  Click here for map.

Starbucks in Safeway

Both Safeway locations (Stony Plain and Spruce Grove) feature a Starbucks with a seating area, and free WiFi.  The greatest advantage to these hotspots is the hours: Safeway is open until 11pm most evenings.

Second Cup (Spruce Grove)

Thanks to Jeff Cubos for letting us know about the free WiFi at Second Cup.  He says that there aren’t a lot of plug-ins, but that there is a “secret” plug-in location under the fireplace.

Stony Plain Library

If you have a library card, you can access wireless internet (at a quiet desk) at the Stony Plain Library.  Click here for map.

Spruce Grove Library

Located in the newly renovated King Street Center, the Spruce Grove Library offers wireless access as well.  According to their website: “Wireless tickets can be picked up at the circulation desk. Each ticket lasts for one hour and there is no limit to the number of tickets you can use.“  Click here for map.

Houston and Weideman

Productions at Horizon Stage will benefit from a new lighting system, after  Parkland County announced they will contribute $20,050 to the project.

“Horizon Stage has seen many talented performers over the years and the upgrades to the  facility will showcase future performances in style,” said Parkland County Mayor Rob  Wiedeman.  “Parkland County and Spruce Grove residents can be proud to have this  exceptional facility in their community.”

The state-of-the-art system will include a new digital lighting console, 80 new lights and all the  rigging and hardware required to install them. The installation is expected to be complete by  the start of the 2010-2011 season.

The lighting system will complete a renovation project that began in 2008, which saw the  theatre refurbished and modernized. It will match the technical achievement of the new sound  system and allow Horizon Stage to function at the highest level of artistic and technical  proficiency.

“Parkland County has been generous in its support of Horizon Stage since its inception,” said  Spruce Grove Mayor Stuart Houston. “This is one more example of how the residents of  Spruce Grove and Parkland County benefit when we work together.”

The project has received $125,100 from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund and $75,000 from  the provincial government’s Community Initiatives Program. The Horizon Stagelighters also  contributed $10,000.

Horizon Stage is jointly owned by the City of Spruce Grove and Parkland County, and is  located at 1001 Calahoo Road inside Spruce Grove Composite High School.

Photograph by: Google Maps, trinews.ca

Spruce Grove has joined a host of other municipalities worldwide that feature a “Street View” in Google Maps.  Street View allows a user to zoom in on a street, like King Street, and then drive along that street “virtually.”  Web visitors can now explore the city, much in the same way they would in car, but from virtually anywhere in the world.  The views are all available in 360-degree panoramas: you can literally “look around” as you drive down a street.

Jonathan Lister, managing director and head of Google Canada comments:

Street View on Google Maps is about showing people places they might never otherwise experience, and helping them plan journeys, so we hope it will continue to help boost tourism, heritage, real estate, education, and everyday discovery.

Spruce Grove is one of 9 Albertan municipalities added today.  The others are Airdrie, Drumheller, Grande Prairie, High River, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, and Red Deer.

For more information visit Street View.

The Edmonton Sun broke a story this morning about an alleged hazing in Spruce Grove on Friday night. Three grade 10 students showed up at a local party, being held in a rural area just outside of Spruce Grove. A grade 12 student approached them and “allegedly told them he intended on harming them for initiation.”  He then proceeded to punch one of the grade 10 students in the mouth.  The boy’s father was quoted in the Sun article:

“This is abuse,” said Trevor, whose son is nursing broken teeth, a swollen lip, and a damaged jaw. “More kids need to come forward, and parents need to know about this too.”

Eight years ago, the Parkland School Division initiated a “zero-tolerance policy” towards hazing.  According to division chair, Richard Gilchrist, this has resulted in a dramatic reduction of hazing incidents.  He had not yet been made aware of this latest incident.

Cocaine bust in Spruce Grove

Here is a quote from the story:

On Jan. 15, officers from the Tri Municipal Drug Section made three arrests pertaining to an alleged cocaine distribution cell in the area. Over 10 grams of crack cocaine and soft (powder) cocaine as well as over $800 in cash were seized during the arrests.