It was Jan. 14, 1861 when Father Albert Lacombe and Bishop Taché stood atop Seven Hills and decided this area would be a great site for a Catholic mission. Today, 150 years later, St. Albertans are gearing up for the most protracted party this city has ever seen in what should be a rallying point for civic pride.
St. Albert’s 150th anniversary celebrations kick off this month with an array of special events and tournaments, starting with the star-studded 2011 World Financial Group Continental Cup of Curling Jan. 13 to 16, theatrical productions like The Black Bonspiel of Willie MacCrimmon, Pioneerin’ Spirit and the glitzy Canadian Western Bank Rendezvous 2011 Gala at Hole’s new Enjoy Centre on Jan. 22. It’s but a taste of what volunteer organizers are co-ordinating over the next 12 months from the 55 Plus Alberta Winter Games to a Guinness World Record attempt with a massive picnic along the banks of the Sturgeon River.
While much of the credit for facilitating these events goes to the Rendezvous 2011 committee chaired by former city councillor Margaret Plain, celebrating this history of a great city like St. Albert requires the grassroots efforts of the community itself — not-for-profit and volunteer groups, businesses, churches, schools, sports organizations and the list goes on. It’s not a stretch to suggest all groups involved in 150th celebrations will bring the community together in ways perhaps unseen for a quarter century, not since the St. Albert 125 events in 1986. It’s a celebration and coming together that’s well past due.
Even with a lengthy history like St. Albert’s, which is among the oldest non-fortified communities in the province, the community’s identity in the last few decades has become muddled as stories of the early days fade with time and the growth of the region and a well-established reputation of being little more than a bedroom community for Edmonton. Hopefully these celebrations will help newer residents learn more about our community’s history, its uniqueness and its spirit. But for that to happen it will take the work of many individuals volunteering their time and talents to make each and every event a success.
St. Albert’s volunteer sector is well established, however it will be stretched to the limits to facilitate major events like the winter games and picnic. Striving to be more active in the community would be a worthwhile new year’s resolution for any resident or business leader. The rewards from such acts of volunteerism would not come solely from the success of St. Albert’s 150th celebrations, but the feeling of taking active ownership in the community, of being involved, of fostering civic pride. St. Albert is a special place to call home, but it’s much more than rows of houses, trees and parks. We can prove it by coming together and sharing stories, experiences and our time. Let’s make it a year to remember.
