SPECIAL AREAS: Advisory Council tours new dementia care and assisted living facility
The Special Areas Advisory Council met on September 25 for their final regular meeting before the October municipal election. Neal Roes, Advisory Councillor for Special Area No. 2 – Subdivision 2, is not seeking re-election, making this his last meeting with the council. Shaune Kovitch, Chair of the Special Areas Board, thanked Neal for his twelve years of dedication and service to the community. More information on the election for Special Area No. 2 – Subdivision 2 is available at specialareas.ab.ca/elections.
PHOTOS COURTESY SPECIAL AREAS
Trent Caskey, Director of Property Administration, provided an update on the 2023 Tax Recovery Land Sale (TRLS). Interest from residents and leaseholders remains strong, with over 950 quarters of land applied for under the current sale as of this fall. Approved in July 2023, the policy allows eligible leaseholders in the Special Areas to purchase up to four quarters (640 acres) of municipal tax recovery land within their holdings. The policy remains in effect until July 16, 2026; leaseholders seeking eligibility information are encouraged to contact the office before the policy expires.
Darren Jones, Director of Finance and Administration, confirmed that 2025 expenditures are expected to remain close to budgeted levels. Growth in renewable energy projects has boosted revenues through linear assessment, strengthening the financial position of the Special Areas. Council members noted ongoing pressures to support services traditionally provided by the province, including healthcare and policing, emphasizing the need to set clear funding priorities moving forward.
A significant focus of the meeting was the opportunities and challenges facing medical clinics in the Special Areas, including those in Consort, Hanna, and Oyen. Advisory Council members serving on local medical clinic boards provided updates on their projects and programs. The Consort & District Medical Centre Society reported continued success with the Nurse Practitioner pilot project, which enjoys strong community support. At the Hanna and District Medical Corporation, a new family doctor is being recruited following the recent passing of Dr. Mdawe. The Big Country Medical Dental Board provided an update on construction of a new doctor’s clinic in Oyen.
Jordon Christianson also updated the council on regional health assessment work. Concerns remain in many areas along the eastern side of the province, and the council is preparing recommendations for the province later this year. Members discussed the ongoing challenge of recruiting medical professionals to rural, remote regions like the Special Areas and highlighted the importance of locally accessible healthcare services. The council stressed the need for a regional approach to healthcare recruitment and incentive programs.
Brent Fecho, Superintendent of Roads & Equipment, reviewed the 2025 road program. Crews faced several challenges this season, including significant delays due to unusually wet weather, resulting in the deferral of some projects into 2026. Crews have used the warmer fall weather to complete ongoing projects and extend the construction season where possible.
Later that afternoon, Allan Stober, CAO of Acadia Foundation Seniors Housing, led the council on a tour of the 14-bed dementia and assisted living unit under construction in Oyen. The project is a partnership between the Special Areas Board, the Acadia Foundation, and the Government of Alberta. Construction is more than 60% complete and is expected to finish by spring 2026. Once operational, the facility will provide dementia care and supportive living services, enabling residents requiring higher levels of care to remain closer to family and friends.
The next Advisory Council meeting is scheduled following the municipal election on October 20.
For more information on Advisory Council visit https://specialareas.ab.ca/about/board-and-advisory-council/.