Mayor Jeff Acker - Spruce Grove

🌟 **Community Spotlight: Frank Thomson** 🌟

I am thrilled to recognize Frank Thomson for his incredible kindness and community service. Recently, Frank took it upon himself to replant a number of flower boxes that were vandalized in Jubilee Park. It is acts such as these that make Spruce Grove the amazing community that it is. Frank is a recent resident of Spruce Grove, and we are so fortunate to have him call this community his home.

Today, I had the opportunity to personally thank Frank, shake his hand, and extend our appreciation for his selfless actions. If you see Frank walking his beautiful dog Titan in Jubilee Park, please take a moment to say thanks.

Thank you, Frank, for your dedication and for making Spruce Grove an even better place to live! 🌳💚

Danielle Carter, Erin Stevenson, Jan Gillett, Reid MacDonald, Dave Oldham, Stuart Houston

Singer-songwriter Paul Woida Music is back for a re-scheduled Grove Gatherings performance this Tuesday (July 16) at Columbus Park (let’s hope Mother Nature cooperates this time 🌞)!

Every second Tuesday from now to September, enjoy free, live performances at parks across Spruce Grove. From bands and musicians to cultural performances and even circus acts, there’s something for everyone! 🎶🎤

Gather your friends and family, grab a lawn chair, and we’ll see you in the park! Visit sprucegrove.org/GroveGatherings for the full schedule.

Still buzzing from our amazing July 6 event! Couldn’t make it? No worries—we’ve got another incredible night planned just for you!

Join us in 2 weeks for the Summer Nights Festival. Expect great music, delicious food, and unforgettable memories under the stars. ✨🌙

Today, I had the pleasure of joining our friends at the Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce to cut the ribbon and celebrate the grand opening of Spruce Grove’s newest restaurant destination – Hash The Browns!

Congratulations to Sujata, Azim, Khadag, and their amazing staff on this fantastic achievement. Your dedication and hard work have brought a delightful new dining experience to our community. I encourage everyone to drop by and enjoy some delicious dishes at their beautiful location, 636 King Street.

Let's support our local businesses and savour the wonderful flavours they have to offer!

📣 **Exciting News for Spruce Grove!** 🥊

I am thrilled to announce that on September 21st, the Tri-leisure Centre will host a major pro boxing event, thanks to Alliance Boxing Promotion! This is a huge honour for our community, and we are ready to welcome some incredible athletes to our city.

Join us as Blake Anderson defends his light heavyweight Canadian championship, Candy Wyatt goes for the 147 Canadian title belt, and Alexas Kubicki competes for the WBC flyweight youth champion of the world!

This event promises to be a memorable night of top-tier boxing, showcasing talent and sportsmanship. Let's come together to support these athletes and show our community spirit.

Mark your calendars, spread the word, and get ready for an unforgettable evening of boxing! 🥊🏆

As part of the Re-imagined Central Park project, we’ve been busy working on the new wheeled sports facility, which will include a skatepark, pump track, and mountain bike skills park!

We’ve been collaborating with the Spruce Grove Skate Park Society on this facility, and members of Spruce Grove City Council and the Skate Park Society recently had an opportunity to check out the construction progress of the facility, which is expected to be open by July 2025.

Once open, the Skate Park Society will provide opportunities for wheeled sport enthusiasts of all ages to try, learn, and enjoy this fantastic facility, located in the heart of our community.

For more information on the project, visit sprucegrove.org/ReimaginedCP.

Have you attended one of our new Grove Gatherings yet?
These free, live, outdoor performances take place in parks across Spruce Grove every second Tuesday from June to August. This week (July 9), the Spruce Grove Filipino Canadian Heritage Society dancers entertain crowds at Central Park starting at 7 p.m.! See the full schedule at sprucegrove.org/GroveGatherings.

🎉 Happy Canada Day, Spruce Grove! 🍁

We're excited to celebrate Canada Day with an amazing schedule of events today! Join us and experience the joy, community spirit, and fun activities planned for everyone.

📅 **Schedule Highlights:**

🥞 **Pancake Breakfast** (9 a.m. - noon)
Fuel up for the day at the Protective Services Building (36 Fifth Avenue) with a delicious pancake breakfast in partnership with the Knights of Columbus! $5/person or $20/family. First 1,000 people, rain or shine. Watch a fire extinguisher demonstration, try one out yourself, and get your child’s photo taken in a real Spruce Grove Fire Services fire truck! Keep an eye out for Sparky the Fire Dog!

🎉 **Opening Ceremony** (Noon)
Join us at the main stage for the official opening ceremony and enjoy some free cake! Don’t miss the Royal Canadian Air Force flyby!

🐶 **West Central Waterdogs Competition** (Every hour, 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
Watch these amazing dogs race down a 36-foot dock and leap into a 45-foot pool!

🚴 **Full Send Stunt Show** (Shows at 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.)
A thrilling BMX stunt show featuring professional athletes performing incredible tricks!

🎨 **Crafts, Crafts, Crafts!** (1-5 p.m.)
Join the Spruce Grove Public Library for some fun crafting activities suitable for all ages.

💻 **Code Ninjas** (1-8 p.m.)
Explore coding, arcade games, and exciting tech activities at the Code Ninjas tent.

🏐 **Raven's Volleyball** (1-8 p.m.)
Show off your volleyball skills or just have fun playing on the grass court with friends and family.

👶 **Pop-Up Playground and Toddler Tent** (1-8 p.m.)
Fun activities, crafts, and games for kids of all ages.

🎢 **Inflatable Bouncers, Games and Trains** (1-8 p.m.)
Navigate through obstacle courses, slides, and enjoy a fun train ride loop!

📸 **Photobooth Tent** (1-8 p.m.)
Capture the day's fun with props and poses. Share your photos via email or on social media!

💦 **REMAX Spray Park** (1-8 p.m.)
Cool off at the spray park with over 50 interactive features.

🛍️ **Community Market** (1-9 p.m.)
Browse local treasures and tasty treats at the market.

🎵 **Afternoon on the Stage** (1-4:30 p.m.)
Enjoy live performances by local musicians and children’s entertainment, including Juno award-winning performer Peter Puffin!

🎸 **Mainstage Entertainment** (7:30-11 p.m.)
Featuring Newfoundland folk band Rum Ragged and our headliner, country singer-songwriter JoJo Mason!

🎆 **Fireworks** (11 p.m.)
End the day with a spectacular fireworks display high above Jubilee Park (weather permitting).

For more details, visit http://www.sprucegrove.org/CanadaDay.

Hope to see you soon! Let's celebrate together! 🇨🇦

Canada Day - City of Spruce Grove Canada Day Celebration Bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation for the Parkland Food Bank. Donation boxes will be available near the information tents. Together we can make a big difference!

Just two more days until we gather to celebrate 🍁 Canada’s birthday 🎈 at Jubilee Park! There is no parking available on site for Canada Day, but Park & Ride shuttles will be running every 20-30 minutes from various locations around the city. There are also 🚲 bike racks available on site (remember to bring your bike lock 🔒!)

Learn more and see all the Park & Ride locations at sprucegrove.org/CanadaDay

I am thrilled to invite everyone to the 3rd Annual Philippine Heritage Celebration today starting at 12 noon at Heritage Park in Stony Plain. This free event is hosted by the Spruce Grove-Stony Plain Filipino Canadian Association - SSFCA and promises to be a day full of fun, food, and festivities!

Here's what you can look forward to:

🎈 **Bouncy Castle**: Bounce your heart out!
💃 **Zumba**: Shake it off with high-energy dance moves!
🍴 **Food Trucks**: Satisfy your cravings with delicious bites
📸 **Photobooth**: Capture memories with friends and families
🎶 **Live Music and Performances**

A huge shoutout to all of the community partners and sponsors! Without their support, this celebration wouldn’t be possible.

See you there!

FREE and FUN! Did we catch your attention? 😉Experience the enchanting allure of the circus with circus-themed activities and performers that will transport you to a whimsical world of wonder.

July 6th from 11am to 4pm on Main Street and McLeod Ave!

For more details, visit www.sprucegrovecitycentre.org.

Tonight is an exhilarating moment for all of us as we come together to cheer on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals! It’s truly wonderful to witness the unity and pride that has spread from coast to coast to coast, uniting Canadians in support of our team.

This remarkable journey has brought communities together, reminding us of the power of sports to create a shared sense of excitement. As we rally behind the Oilers, let's celebrate the spirit and resilience they have shown throughout this incredible season.

Let’s Go Oilers! WE BELIEVE!

A Message from Mayor and City Council Regarding Horizon Stage and the New High School

Dear Residents of Spruce Grove,

We understand the urgent need for a new high school in our community. No one doubts this necessity. Our city’s continued rapid growth, spurred by the “Alberta is calling” campaign, has led to our already overcrowded high school “bursting at the seams”. For over a decade, students have been dealing with this issue and we clearly need more space for our expanding student population.

Since 2016, when Parkland School Division first identified the need to either modernize or replace our Composite High School, both past and present Councils have strongly supported their annual capital requests to the province. In the 2023 Provincial Budget, City Council learned that design funding for a replacement school was approved. However, this funding did not consider the impact on our Horizon Stage. In response, Council immediately worked with the Minister of Education and Parkland School Division to include Horizon Stage in their design. As a City, we are still awaiting a decision or direction from the Province on this matter.

While the Parkland School Division (PSD) has expressed urgency, we believe there is still time to collaborate and find a solution that allows for the construction of a new high school while preserving the future of our Horizon Stage theatre. Whether through an addition to the new high school, maintaining its current location, or creating a standalone facility, we are committed to working together to find a path forward. In fact, we have meetings scheduled in the next 10 days with provincial ministers to explore all possible solutions. If we were truly out of time, these critical discussions would not be happening.

City Council is exploring every avenue for funding and collaboration with the province to ensure we find a solution. Conversations with Minister Turton and others have given us hope. While we are not responsible for building new schools, we are essential partners in this process, ensuring land is available and supporting school districts with their priority capital requests to the province.

Contrary to some reports, we are not delaying approval for the new high school. The process of approving new schools is complex, with many communities also seeking new schools. We were as disappointed as you when Spruce Grove Composite High School was not included in this year’s capital budget. We will continue to lobby for our high school to be prioritized in the 2025 budget, which is the soonest any decision will be made, and we will continue to work with our partners at Parkland School Division to remove any barriers preventing this from moving forward.

We want to stress again that we are not out of time. We owe it to our residents to explore every possible solution to save or replace the Horizon Stage, a valuable community asset. As co-owners of the stage, we are committed to being good stewards of our public facilities. Our goal is to secure both a new school and the future of live theatre and performances in our region. We are grateful that the province remains open to conversations and Council will continue our efforts to find a solution that benefits all residents of Spruce Grove. If the answer is ultimately no, then we will face tough decisions, but we will do so knowing we have explored every opportunity.

We ask for your patience and understanding as we continue our advocacy efforts. We are dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for all our residents and remain steadfast in our commitment to serve the interests of our community.

Thank you for your continued support and trust. We'll keep you updated as more information becomes available. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Spruce Grove Mayor and Council

🌞 What an amazing day in Jubilee Park! A huge thank you to RE/MAX Preferred Choicefor hosting such a fantastic picnic – it was the perfect way to kick off the first weekend of summer. The food, the fun, and the company were all top-notch. 🌳🍔

For those looking to keep the summer fun rolling, why not head over to the spray park in Spruce Grove? It's the perfect spot to cool off and enjoy the sunshine. ☀️💦

Here's to many more wonderful summer weekends!

🚗 **Join Us at Cars for Ben 2.0! 🚗**

Happening right now At the TRAX Public House until 3 PM! Come check out an incredible lineup of amazing vehicles and show your support for the Ben Stelter Foundation.

Don't miss out – and play La Bamba, baby!

See you there! 🎉

As the Mayor of Spruce Grove, I am delighted to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with our vibrant community! Today is a day to honour and recognize the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across Canada. It’s a time for us all to come together, learn, and appreciate the diverse traditions that make our nation so unique.

I warmly invite everyone to join us this evening at Rotary Centennial Park from 5-9pm for a wonderful celebration hosted by the Skydancer Indigenous Cultural Centre. This free event will feature a community BBQ, captivating cultural performances, a lively vendor market, and so much more. It’s a fantastic opportunity for families, friends, and neighbors to experience Indigenous culture and enjoy a fun-filled evening together.

Let’s make this National Indigenous Peoples Day a memorable one by celebrating with respect, joy, and unity. See you all at Rotary Centennial Park from 5-9pm!

I am delighted to share some exciting news that will have a profound impact on our region. Today marks the official groundbreaking for the Canadian Critical Drug Initiative (CCDI) facility in the Edmonton Research Park. This nearly $200 million project, led by API in partnership with the University of Alberta, represents a significant milestone for the Edmonton Metropolitan Region and the entire Canadian life sciences ecosystem.

The CCDI facility is set to become an integrated hub for research, commercialization, and manufacturing, offering substantial advantages in investment attraction, job creation, and the retention of intellectual property and talent within Canada. This initiative not only promises to bolster our local economy but also positions our region as a leader in life sciences innovation.

I look forward to seeing the CCDI facility take shape and the positive ripple effects it will have across our region. Let us celebrate this momentous occasion and the bright future it heralds for our region and beyond.

We are only three days away from and would like to take a moment to mention the partnerships that will be making this day what it is. We would like to thank those who have donated selflessly and in-kind to support the event.
Without you, this event would not be possible.
City of Spruce Grove Parkland County Spruce Grove Public Library Rachel's Cakes* Alberta Parenting for the Future Association Foundation for Cohesive Communities North Central Co-op Elements Health Stony Plain Kinsmen and Elite Promotional Marketing

Can you believe Canada Day is less than two weeks away?! 🍁

There’s so much to see and do at this year’s celebration at Jubilee Park! From the West Central Waterdogs dock jumping competition, to the Full Send BMX Stunt Show, food trucks, children’s entertainment, and great music on the mainstage including headliner JoJo Mason and Rum Ragged!

Head to sprucegrove.org/CanadaDay for all the details and to plan your day.

Here is what is on the agenda for tonight’s (June 17) Governance and Priorities Committee meeting starting at 6 p.m.:

➡️ Public Delegation - Spruce Grove and District Argricultural Society - 2023 Annual Report
➡️ 2023 Annual Report and Popular Annual Financial Report
➡️ The Shape of Our Community - Municipal Development Plan Update

Governance and Priorities Committee meetings are City Council research and information sessions that do not include public input sessions, but members of the public may watch in person or online at www.sprucegrove.org/LiveCouncil. View the full agenda package at https://loom.ly/fqP__b4

This Thursday (June 20) is the deadline for public budget submissions for the 2025-2027 Corporate Plan. This is your chance to bring your ideas for our community forward for consideration! Visit sprucegrove.org/CPSub for details and to fill out a submission form.

To the Graduates of Spruce Grove Composite High School, Class of 2024,

Congratulations on reaching this remarkable milestone! Today, we celebrate your hard work, dedication, and the countless achievements you have earned throughout your academic journey. As you move forward into a new chapter of your lives, take a moment to reflect on all you have accomplished and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

A special thanks to the amazing parents who organized the wonderful Grad Dinner and Dance last night at the Heritage Pavilion. Your dedication and support have not only made this celebration memorable but have also played a vital role in the success of these graduates.

Graduation is not just an end, but a beginning. It's the starting point of a new adventure filled with opportunities and challenges. Embrace the unknown with courage and enthusiasm. Remember, every step you take is a step towards your dreams. Whether you are continuing your education, entering the workforce, or exploring new paths, know that the future is yours to shape.

As the Mayor of Spruce Grove, I am incredibly proud of each one of you. Your achievements are a testament to your resilience and potential. Carry forward the values you have learned, and always strive for excellence. The world is waiting for your talents and contributions.

Congratulations once again, and best wishes for a bright and successful future!

Happy Father’s Day to all the incredible dads in our wonderful city!

Today, we celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who fill our lives with love, strength, and endless support. Your dedication and hard work are truly inspiring. Enjoy this special day—you've earned it!

Let's take a moment to cherish the memories, share the love, and create new moments of joy. Wishing every dad a fantastic Father’s Day filled with happiness and appreciation. Thank you for all that you do! 🌟❤️

Check out this event that is happening now down at the TLC!

📣The stage is set!!
🕕Weigh In 10-11am
🥊Bouts start at 2 pm
💥Tri Leisure Centre
221 Jennifer Hiel Way
Spruce Grove
‼️Contact Number
780-964-6999