The cemetery is owned and operated by the City of St. Albert in the interest of the public. All monies received from Cemetery Services are utilized in the administration, development, extension and perpetual care of the cemetery.
The Sisters of Charity of Montreal, more commonly known as the Grey Nuns, were founded in 1737 by Marie-Marguerite d'Youville in Montreal. Focusing on social services such as education and health, the Sisters plead an important role in many communities. The Sisters established themselves in St. Boniface in 1844, moving into Alberta at Lac Ste. Anne in 1851. On March 23, 1863, the three Sisters from Lac Ste. Anne, along with seven Native or Métis girls, moved to St. Albert where the Sisters set up much of the settlement's social infrastructure. As social services in Alberta and the rest of the country became more secularized, the role of the Sisters has evolved into more specialized areas such as taking care of the elderly.
On Oct. 4, 2000, a ceremony was held which signified the transfer of the Youville Home from the Sisters of Charity to the Caritas Health Group. On April 27, 2007, the grand opening of the new Youville Home was held.
In 1978 the City of St. Albert introduced performing arts programs that were more relevant to community theatre. By 1979 the City had shifted the program’s emphasis to children’s theatre. In 1981 the City created a Cultural Leadership Coordinator position, which helped focus this programming to develop leadership skills in youth. This focus led to the inception of Imaginings — the City’s 1981 summer drama program. Imaginings presented St. Albert’s first all-children production, The Hobbit. From that, St. Albert Children’s Theatre was born.
In 1983 St. Albert Place opened its doors and St. Albert Children’s Theatre (SACT) became its "resident" company. SACT put on regular spring and winter productions. Also utilized were summer students interested in careers within the theatre community, giving them practical experience. As well as the larger productions produced by the theatre, the organization has also offered drama summer camps.
St. Albert Comets Hockey Club was registered as a corporation with the Alberta Consumer and Corporate Affairs Companies Branch on June 7, 1976. The Comets were a member team of the Alberta Major Intermediate Hockey League (AMIHL). They operated under an executive of President, Vice President, Secretary Manager, Time Keeper, Goal Judges, Statistician, and an advertising committee of three persons. 20 players were involved. The financial responsibility of the club toward its players was to supply them with equipment and transportation only. The players did not contribute financially toward the club. They donated their time for practice and games, and helped the club by selling various types of raffle tickets. All executive and other members were local people. Of the 20 players, 7 were local and 13 were from the surrounding area.
The St. Albert Olympic Celebration and Torch Committee was created in 1987. In 1988, the Winter Olympic Games were held in Calgary, and as a precusor to the games, the Eternal Flame, representing the spirit of the Olympic movement, was the centre of a relay across Canada on its way to Calgary. When the flame passed through St. Albert, an event was organized by the Olympic Celebration and Torch Committee so that St. Albert's citizens could get the opportunity to see the torch and the city could celebrate the Olympics in Alberta. Alderman Margaret Plain was chariman of the Olympic Celebration and Torch Committee. The committee planned many activities and celebrations, including the Olympic Torch party, Saturday, February 6, 1988 at St. Albert Place; and the Olympic Torch Relay, Wednesday, February 10, 1988, when the torch passed through St. Albert on its way to the XV Olympic Winter Games in Calgary.
In its Proclamation on Aging, the United Nations General Assembly decided to declare 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons. Individual communities in Canada celebrated this year in whatever ways they saw fit. In St. Albert, a grassroots committee first met in October 1998 to plan events and activities through 1999. Fran Preston served as the Chair. The St. Albert IYOP Committee promoted partnerships with many community groups, schools, clubs, businesses, and churches to raise awareness of seniors' contributions to the community and to their needs. Highlighted events include: Seniors; Bookclub at SAPL; mall walks at Grandin Mall; Towne Tour and Trade Show; afternoon teas; IYOP Business Recognition Awards; Steady As You Go (SAYGO) workshops; Family Fest celebrations.
The St. Albert IYOP Committee also created a lasting legacy in the development of the ACT (Associated Canadian Travelers) Celebration Garden. Profiles Visual Arts Society partnered with the St. Albert IYOP Committee to create a garden in the Red Willow Park System west of Chateau Mission Court adjacent to the walking trail along the north bank of the Sturgeon River. The Celebration Garden features a fountain with a sculpture titled Butterfly Sails, by Karen Ho Fatt.
In 1961, the Landing Trail District was formed with the boundaries being North Saskatchewan River in the south, Highway 28 in the east, Highway 43 in the west, and North of Westlock to Farley in the north. St. Albert was in the centre of this new district and was the focal point for Scouting in the district. Landing Trail District's inaugural meeting was on Oct 24, 1961 at the Community Hall in St. Albert. Albin Henry was President, Richard Fowler was District Commissioner. The first Scouting groups in St. Albert were the 1st St. Albert and 2nd St. Albert, which used the basement of the Catholic church as their Scout hall.
On June 6, 1977, St. Albert was ratified as a District in its own right and the name for the District was chosen as "St. Albert District." Phil Sturgess was the President and Chairman, and Colin Ford was the District Commissioner. During the early period of Scouting, St. Albert Cubs and Scouts camped on an island at Island Lake. The island was renamed Nickerson Island after Leo Nickerson died at the Island Lake trying to rescue a Cub from drowning. The Leo Nickerson School is also named for him. In 1987, the first St. Albert District "Camp Bones Wolf Cub Camp" was held at Skeleton Lake. Four separate camps over a month period were held each year from then on through to 1994. In the 1999-2000 year, St. Albert had approximately 450 youth members and 130 adult members.
In September 2000, the Northern Region Scouting district became part of a larger Northern Lights Region to include St. Albert District as well. The St. Albert District Scouts was dissolved to become a part of this larger Area.
The St. Albert Tigers Baseball Association is a Senior Men's AAA team for adults aged 19 years and older.
The following excerpt was taken from the St. Albert Tigers' website: "We are devoted to developing players into skilled and disciplined members within our team framework. Many of our players have or are currently attending colleges/universities in the United States and Canada trying to further their baseball careers. Our team has always been dedicated to providing high caliber baseball on the field. The Tigers compete in the Baseball Alberta Sunburst League during the regular season and playoffs. The Sunburst League is the highest quality of Senior Men's amateur baseball in Alberta and the winner of the league earns the right to represent Alberta at the Baseball Canada Senior Men's National Championships. Since being established in 1987, the Tigers have won 8 Provincial Championships with the most recent coming in 2007. Our relentless approach to excellence has lead to the St. Albert Tigers always having a goal of being the best team in Alberta year after year. Along with the 8 Provincial Championships, the Tigers team has also been crowned as the National Champions in 1999 and 2002. The Tigers also have two Silver Medals from the 1994 and 1998 National Championships and a Bronze in 1993, while also competing in the 2005 and 2008 Nationals. The St. Albert Tigers are not only one of the most decorated men's baseball teams in Alberta, but across Canada. With a firm commitment to helping baseball grow within the community of St. Albert, our goal is to continue to make history every year."
The St. Albert Community Band was founded in 1970 by its first director, Gerry Wennes, two members of the Lions' Club, John Kaminski and William Cuts, and its president, Gerry Buccini. The Band has continued to grow from its original 25 members to its current membership of over 70 musicians. The Community Band features a concert band, a jazz band, and smaller ensemble groups.
The Society hosts and plans an annual event showcases and celebrates the Indigenous community through Dance, Music and Artisans of the Inuit, First Nation and Métis peoples. The first one held was in 2009.