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: 2025 View fullscreen

Comments

Arts and Heritage program participation increased to 37,161 participants in 2025, up from 34,262 in 2024, representing an 8.5 per cent increase. Participation continued to rebound despite disruptions in 2025, including the teachers’ strike in October and the temporary closure of the Visual Arts Studios due to renovations at St. Albert Place.

While program numbers continue to recover, participation remains below the pre-pandemic level of 47,512 participants recorded in 2019.

Return to Indicators ↑

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.

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.

Reporting frequency: Annually Last updated: 2025 View fullscreen

Comments

93 block parties were registered in 2025, a slight increase from 89 in 2024. Registration levels continue to trend toward pre-pandemic participation. However, participation can be affected by external factors such as weather conditions and wildfire smoke, which may impact event planning and turnout.

Return to Indicators ↑

Registered Participants in Cultural Programs

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

Reporting frequency: Every 6 Months Last updated: Q4, 2025 View fullscreen

Comments

A total of 734 participants were registered in cultural programs in 2025, compared to 598 participants in 2024. This represents a 23 per cent year-over-year increase, reflecting continued growth in interest in performing arts classes and St. Albert Children’s Theatre. Participation increased in both the first half of the year (376 participants) and the second half (358 participants), indicating strong demand throughout the year.

Return to Indicators ↑

Recreation, Fitness and Aquatics Program Participants

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

Reporting frequency: Annually Last updated: 2025 View fullscreen

Comments

Recreation, Fitness and Aquatics program participation increased to 314,575 participants in 2025, up from 298,707 in 2024 (approximately 5 per cent). This continued growth reflects strong community engagement and recovery following the Fountain Park Recreation Centre shutdown from May 2022 to July 2023 for renovations. Participation levels remain well above 2021 and 2022, indicating sustained demand for recreation programming.

Return to Indicators ↑

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: 2025 View fullscreen

Comments

1,929 residents accessed the City’s subsidy program in 2025, a decrease from 2,466 residents in 2024. Despite this decline, overall demand for subsidy support remains elevated compared to pre-2022 levels, reflecting continued cost-of-living pressures in the community. The reduction from 2024 may be influenced by updates to program tracking processes, including changes related to the transit system and administrative streamlining efforts.

Return to Indicators ↑

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: Q4, 2025 View fullscreen

Comments

In the fourth quarter of 2025, Navigators received 410 support calls, bringing the annual total to 1,012 calls. This represents a 45 per cent increase compared to 2024, reflecting growing demand for support services. The increase may be linked to ongoing affordability challenges as well as continued assistance needs related to new benefit programs such as the Canada Disability Benefit.

Return to Indicators ↑