Community Development

The indicators in this section relate to creating a strong sense of community and supporting residents in need.

Arts & Heritage Program Participants

This indicator shows the number of participants in programs offered to schools and the community at the Arts and Heritage Foundation of St. Albert operated sites and facilities, including Art Gallery of St. Albert, Musée Héritage Museum, St. Albert’s Historic River Lots and Grain Elevators, Little White School and Visual Arts Studios.

Reporting frequency: Annually Last updated: 2024 View fullscreen

Comments

While the program numbers are rebounding, we have still not reached our pre-pandemic program participation level of 47,512 participants in 2019.

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Block Parties

This indicator tracks the number of Block Parties held annually in St. Albert. Block Parties are neighbourhood-level events organized by residents, supported by the City, to encourage community building and local engagement.

Reporting frequency: Annually Last updated: 2024 View fullscreen

Comments

Since 2008, over half of St. Albert’s streets have participated in the Block Party initiative. Many of these events have become annual traditions on participating streets. The program contributes to a strong sense of community, connectedness, and a culture of care in St. Albert.

Block Party registration in 2024 was comparable to 2023 and 2022. Registration levels depend on external factors including the environment, such as wildfire smoke.

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Registered Participants in Cultural Programs

The indicator shows the number of registeredparticipants in performing arts classes and St. Albert Children's Theatre.

Reporting frequency: Every 6 Months Last updated: Q2, 2025 View fullscreen

Comments

In the first two quarters of 2025, 376 participants were registered in cultural programs, compared to 248 participants in the same period of 2024. This represents a 51 per cent increase year-over-year, showing strong and growing interest in performing arts classes and children’s theatre.

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Recreation, Fitness and Aquatics Program Participants

The indicator measures the number of attendees for registered and drop-in programs.

Reporting frequency: Annually Last updated: 2024 View fullscreen

Comments

Program participants in aquatics increased significantly in 2024 due to the extensive shutdown of Fountain Park Recreation Centre from May 2022 to July 2023 for renovations.

There were small increases in 2024 fitness and recreation participants, which continue to level off following a return to play since 2021.

Note: Trends in the presented visual consider the significant impacts to service delivery during 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Subsidy Recipients

The indicator measures the total number of individuals who access the subsidy program, designed to support low-income individuals and families to participate in the City's recreation facilities, programs and transit services.

Reporting frequency: Annually Last updated: 2024 View fullscreen

Comments

The demand for the Subsidy Program has continued to grow. The number of residents who have accessed this program has nearly tripled since before 2020. In 2024, 2,466 residents used the program.

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Navigator Support Calls

The indicator measures the number of support calls that Community Support Workers received.

Community Support workers assess the needs of residents facing a broad range of social issues and help navigate and connect them to appropriate community resources.

Reporting frequency: Quarterly Last updated: Q3, 2025 View fullscreen

Comments

In the third quarter of 2025, a total of 200 Navigator calls were received, representing a 25 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. This is likely due to the introduction of the Canada Disability Benefit, which has impacted residents assisted by Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH). Navigators provided additional support to clients in completing forms and understanding the new program requirements.

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