TAMRMS#: B06
7.2
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Chanter Park Development Request
Presented by: Craig Cameron, Manager, Parks & Community Partnerships, Recreation & Parks
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
That project charter RECR-077, attached to the April 7, 2026 agenda report entitled “Chanter Park Development Request”, be approved.
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SUMMARY
A recent announcement by the Government of Alberta (GOA) to accelerate school construction in the Cherot neighbourhood has prompted Administration to bring forward an off-cycle request to approve funding to develop the park space (Chanter Park) adjacent to the school site.
While new park development is typically funded through the New Neighbourhood Park charter, timing of the provincial announcement did not allow Administration to identify and prioritize funds for Chanter Park construction within the 2026 capital budget request.
Funding development of Chanter Park now will:
1) Allow Administration to explore opportunities to reduce the municipal cost of park development through partnership with the Cherot neighbourhood developer, Rohit Group of Companies (Rohit).
2) Reduce future maintenance costs by providing an established park prior to opening the school.
3) Improve community satisfaction by accelerating park provision.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
FLOURISH
Community Well-being - St. Albert supports the physical, mental, and social well-being of residents through community services and neighbourhoods that support healthy lifestyles.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Chanter Park is a new park adjacent to a school site (Figure 1). The school site has been approved by the GOA for planning, through the School Construction Accelerator Program, for a 900 student K-9 school supporting St. Albert Public Schools. Their project is in the planning phase and could be open as soon as spring 2029.
Figure 1: Chanter Park Concept Plan
Building New Parks
Construction of new parks is typically funded through the New Neighbourhood Park charter. Charter projections are developed with the goal of providing park services as the neighbourhood builds out. To achieve this, Administration works closely with neighbourhood developers to understand and align with their development priorities and timelines. Administration also works with developers to identify partnership opportunities in which developers see value in contributing to park construction beyond what is required under the development agreement.
Working with Schools
To maximize broad community benefit, school sites are typically paired with parks, with each party responsible for development within their site. Past experience supports the value of building park spaces well ahead of school openings. This allows the turf and other vegetation to become better established and withstand the impacts of community and school use.
Chanter Park
The 2026 New Neighbourhood Park charter was submitted before the announcement by the GOA to accelerate construction of a school in St. Albert. Funds from the charter have been allocated to projects, and while there are sufficient funds to complete design work for Chanter Park, there are not enough funds for construction.
Rohit has work planned for Cherot in 2026 and has expressed interest in exploring partnership opportunities with Administration for the development of Chanter Park.
Completing park construction in 2026/27 will provide nearly two full growing seasons for the turf and vegetation to establish before school use is introduced.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Public engagement on Chanter Park design (Figure 1) was completed in Q1 2026 and included feedback from the impacted school division.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
If approved, $753,600 would be funded from the Capital Reserve, which has sufficient funds. While initial funding would be from the Capital Reserve, Administration would look for other funding opportunities. Funding this project will reduce the amount of capital dollars available for future prioritized capital projects as well as emergent capital items.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
Ongoing operational impacts are identified in the attached charter. Impacts are aligned to the Internal Services and Service Levels Inventory.
Risks:
None at this time.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
None at this time.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
A.1 Community Amenities
A.1.3 Management of Facilities and Amenity Partnerships
A.1.4 Parks, Open Spaces and Recreation Sites
A.1.5 Recreation and Sport Amenities
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
ALTERNATIVE 1: Take no action.
Financial:
Administration would re-evaluate capital priorities as part of the 10 Year Capital Plan.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks:
If the recommendation is not supported, completion of Chanter Park will be delayed, which is likely to result in:
1. Loss of partnership opportunity with the neighbourhood developer
o Rohit Group of Companies has indicated willingness to explore partnership opportunities if the City advances construction in 2026.
o Delaying the project may result in the loss of potential cost-sharing or construction efficiencies and potentially increasing overall municipal costs in the future.
2. Inability to meet municipal service level standards for park infrastructure
o Delayed construction may prevent the park from being established prior to school opening and peak community use.
o Without sufficient establishment time, turf and vegetation are unlikely to withstand intensive use, resulting in:
§ Increased maintenance issues
§ Reduced lifespan of park assets
§ Park conditions that do not meet service level standards
3. Decreased community satisfaction and neighbourhood livability
o This may result in increased complaints and reduced satisfaction with City service delivery in the area.
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Report Date: April 7, 2026
Author(s): Parks & Community Partnerships branch
Department: Recreation & Parks
Department Director: Daniele Podlubny
Managing Director Dinu Alex
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher