The City of St. Albert recently honoured three local volunteers and four businesses through the annual Community Recognition Awards.
The city hosted an intimate ceremony on Thursday, September 7 at the Community Recognition Gardens located on the northwest corner of Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Perron Street directly west of the clock tower.
The awards are designed to highlight individuals and businesses who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment or service to the community. Categories include arts and culture, citizenship, environmental stewardship, professional achievement, sports excellence and distinguished achievement. A complementary Pillar of Business category managed by St. Albert Chamber of Commerce was also added.
The volunteers highlighted this year are Dr. Alan Murdock in the arts and culture category as well as husband and wife team Tony and Lyn Druett for environmental stewardship.
When Murdock was asked how he felt about receiving a recognition award, he simply replied, “I’m honoured.” Later in the conversation he added, “I’ve always worked on the basis if you don’t have arts and culture in a society, you’re not civilized. Civilizations are built on arts and culture, and we should keep that in mind.”
Murdock, a long-time St. Albert physician, spent the last three decades promoting the arts and culture of St. Albert. Born into a family passionate about music, he grew up heavily involved in choirs and bands playing the French horn and sousaphone.
He strongly believes “arts are good for the development of children.” As a community cultural supporter, Murdock spent six years on the Arts and Heritage Foundation Board of Trustees championing many projects including the Hide and Seek bench in front of St. Albert Place.
Another of his memorable projects was the Little White School House which desperately needed funds to restore a leaking roof and cracked basement. He is particularly proud that the project was completed without public funding. Government funding, donations and sponsorships covered the costs.
He also chaired the Rotary Music Festival for eight years, served as Vice-Chair for the St. Albert Chamber Music Society and continues to serve on individual projects when not flying across North America to visit his three children.
“Most of all, I’m proud of the number of people I have served with. When I sit back and look at the number of people willing to contribute, it quite frankly shows the spirit of St. Albert. Volunteerism is built in the DNA of the city. It’s just the way the city operates.”
Lyn and Tony Druett
Tony, a former land development engineer, and Lyn Druett , a former biology teacher and preschool nursery operator, have been members of Big Lake Environmental Support Society (BLESS) for eight years. Additionally, they have tag-teamed each other on various environmental projects for the past 20 years.
Tony’s main interests are lobbying the city and having input in major structure plans that could potentially devastate natural wildlife habitats. He has worked on multiple projects including a walking trail and animal corridor under Ray Gibbon Bridge, assisted in restoring the bird viewing platform, and maintaining a natural area south of Meadowview Dr.
Instead, Lyn’s main project is organizing the annual Migratory Bird Event held at Lois Hole Park. During this public event, environmental groups set up information booths, educational displays and crafts for kids. She also provides mentorship and training for summer environmental staff and co-wrote the newly published An Animal Guide to Lois Hole Centennial Park.
The city first contacted the couple about their selection three months ago, said the Druetts.
“We were very pleased to hear about it,” Tony said.
“But surprised,” added Lyn. “It’s not something Tony and I do alone. It feels gratifying, but we feel it should go to the whole group.”
Tony maintains a close eye on city of St. Albert council decisions. When the planning department made a change to the Municipal Development Plan, changing a natural area south of Meadowview Drive into industrial development, Tony started to lobby.
“The shoreline by the lake is the most important, environmentally sensitive area in the Edmonton metro zone. There is no need for it as an industrial area. It should be protected. We should also free Meadowview Drive. It should be an arterial drive with an attractive entrance to the city and not look like Riel Drive,” said Tony.
Instead of building industrial lots, he believes the land would be better suited for stormwater drains and parkland.
Pillars of Business
- Grandin Bakery
For over five decades, Grandin Bakery has provided city residents with fresh bread and sweet-tasting confections. The fourth-generation bakers have created a legacy that touches virtually every household in the city.
The family’s original recipes and attention to quality baking have not only nurtured our taste buds. The bakery has also fostered a long-lasting tradition and created personal memories.
- St. Albert Inn & Suites
For more than four and one-half decades, St. Albert Inn & Suites was the first thing a visitor saw when driving in from the south end of town. It quickly became a community cornerstone expanding from 30 rooms to more than 150 people.
It is one of the city’s most important venues for hosting events and attracting individuals from every interest group. In addition to providing rooms for visitors, it has hosted wedding receptions, award ceremonies, business meetings, music events and blood drives to name a few.
- Fountain Tire
For more than four generations, Fountain Tire has forged connections spanning several generations. Their commitment to quality work is a testament to the trust patrons have in their work.
The owner and staff's commitment shines through its strong support of city-wide events such as Rock’n August and the annual Soapbox Derby. For many, Fountain Tire is more than a business. It is a symbol of unity, philanthropy and the power of business to create a richer, more diverse world.
- Dairy Queen Dream Team
Established in 1971, it quickly became a haven for sports teams, dance and gymnastics groups celebrating a championship. Dairy Queen has enjoyed several homes during its lifetime, however the Dream Team is now firmly established on St. Albert Trail.
Their legacy is more than ice cream and hamburgers. It was and is a gathering place for families and friends who come together in a light-hearted moment and carry the memory forever.
All recipients of the Community Recognition Award will have their names etched on a stone sculpture in the Community Recognition Gardens. Each recipient will also receive a plaque.
