SEPTEMBER 2026 I t8nmagazine.com
GROWING PAINS
ST. ALBERT FACES A MILESTONE SINFUL SPICE
6 SAVOURY CINNAMON DISHES
TRIDENT WARGAMES
TEMPEST ON A TABLE TOP
READY FOR FALL?
8 PRODUCTS THAT MIGHT HELP
WORKOUT WORTHY
NEW & IMPROVED FITNESS SPOTS
5 tips for choosing your life insurance Most people could benefit from life insurance. That’s why I’ve put together some tips to make it easier to protect your loved ones.
1. Choose the right type of insurance
4. Take out insurance early!
Term life
Your premium is, in part, based on your age when you apply. Generally, the older you get, the more it costs. Another factor that can affect your insurability is your health status. The younger and healthier you are, the more affordable your insurance coverage can be.
Term life can be a good choice for families with children who want to maintain their income and standard of living if a parent dies. It’s available for predetermined terms with a fixed premium for the first coverage period. It’s renewable to age 85 with adjusted premiums. If the insured person dies during the term, a lump sum is paid. If not, the coverage ends. Term life could help your family meet their financial commitments until your children become adults or finish school. Permanent life Permanent life insurance can be a good choice to ensure that there will be money available to meet long-term planning needs, whether for personal or business purposes. That way, your estate won’t be on the hook for taxes and other liabilities after your passing. This lifetime coverage can be maintained even if your health changes, which can make it an appealing product for many individuals. And in the long term, it’s more cost-effective than term insurance. Participating and universal life These products may include a savings component that can give your loved ones a financial foundation, finance business growth or increase your retirement income.
2. Determine how much you need It’s a good idea to periodically review your insurance amount to ensure your family will be able to maintain their standard of living in the event of your passing. And remember, your life insurance amount can also help cover a funeral or tax bill or pay off debt.
5. Contact an insurance agent for assistance In a complex world, your insurance needs are as unique as you are. An insurance agent can help make sure you get the type of coverage and insurance amount you need. Have questions about life insurance? Give me a call. For more helpful tips, visit desjardins.com/en/tips.html.
Jennifer Miles, Agent 125-15 Circle Dr St. Albert 780-460-2279 jen@jmilesinsurance.com jmilesinsurance.com MBroadbent Insurance Agency Inc. Michelle Broadbent, Agent 3523 Tudor Glen Market St. Albert 780-470-3276 michelle@michellebroadbent.com michellebroadbent.com
3. Think about how long you want your coverage to last How long do you want coverage for? There are several things to consider before you can answer that question.
CST-1441
First, think about how long you’ll need coverage to make sure your financial commitments are covered. Then evaluate until when your family needs financial support if you were to pass. This column, written and published by Jennifer Miles and Michelle Broadbent, presents general information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any insurance products. These tips are provided for information and prevention purposes only. They are general in nature, and Desjardins Insurance cannot be held liable for them. We recommend using caution and consulting a professional for comprehensive, tailored advice. Desjardins Insurance refers to Desjardins Financial Security Life Assurance Company, underwriter of life insurance and living benefits products. Desjardins®, Desjardins Insurance®, all trademarks containing the word Desjardins, as well as related logos are trademarks of the Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec, used under licence.
T8N MAGAZINE
VOLUME 13 ISSUE 4
September 2026 PUBLISHER
EDITOR
Rob Lightfoot
Gene Kosowan
Contents
DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Isaac White PHOTOGRAPHY
Stephanie Cragg, Gloria Ge-Weald , BR2 Architecture, City of Spruce Grove, Gene Kosowan and Town of Stony Plain Adobe Stock: Nadine Greeff/Stocksy CONTRIBUTORS
Malcolm Azania, Gene Kosowan, Gloria Ge-Weald, Stephanie Cragg and Tom Murray OFFICE MANAGER
Janice Lightfoot CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES
Adobe Stock ISSN 2368-707X (PRINT) ISSN 2368-7088 (ONLINE)
For editorial inquiries or information, contact T8N magazine at info@t8nmagazine.com. Have something to say? Letters, suggestions or ideas can be sent to letters@t8nmagazine.com. FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION
Rob Lightfoot rob@t8nmagazine.com 780 940 6212 or visit t8nmagazine.com T8N magazine is published 5 times a year by T8N Publishing Inc. Copyright ©2026 T8N Publishing Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Content marked by the Sponsored Content icon was produced in partnership between content producers and T8N magazine. PRINTED IN CANADA
T8N PUBLISHING INC PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT
Rob Lightfoot: rob@t8nmagazine.com Mailbox #215, 3-11 Bellerose Drive, St.Albert T8N 5C9
Conversations
City
5
& NOW 16 THEN QUANTIFYING THE PAST
ST. ALBERT AT 100,000 How the city plans to reach a population landmark
Culture 8
TALENT ON CANVAS The St. Albert Painters Guild facilitates artists at all skill levels
Living & GATHERINGS 10 FOOD CINNAMON SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE This bark-based condiment is more versatile than you think
8S 14 THE EASING INTO AUTUMN
One of the more pleasant seasonal transitions we get to experience
A look at St. Albert by the numbers
YOU THERE 17 MEET FUN & FIT, FRESH & FIXED Take advantage of a few new and improved recreation facilities in the region
Spotlight FIGHTING 20 FANTASY Trident Wargaming offers tabletop conflict to hundreds of devotees
Downtime 22 PUZZLING PUMPKINS
Guess which gourd contains the most goodies
CONNECT WITH US
/t8nmagazine
T8N September 2026
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I FROM THE PUBLISHER I
IT’S PRETTY MUCH unanimous that this past summer was anything but sunshine and lollipops. Instead, it was more akin to living in an aquarium, which might explain why some folks are eagerly looking forward to a relatively arid fall more than ever. Then there are others who gaze even further than the next season, as in say, a generation or two down the road. That’s roughly when St. Albert is likely to hit the 100,000 population milestone, future booms and busts notwithstanding. Are we ready to accommodate Rob Lightfoot that growth? And what social and economic conditions lie in wait? We try to answer all those questions and more in our feature beginning on page 5. While there weren’t many rays for sun worshipers to catch this year, many of us still dread facing that cold creep inherent in the transition to autumn. To mitigate those feelings, we showcase some products on page 14 and let those year-round workout fanatics know about the emergence and modernization of a few fitness facilities in the region on page 17.
On the Cover
For more laid-back leisure enthusiasts, we look at what the St. Albert Painting Guild is up to (page 8), offer some surprising recipes containing cinnamon (page 10), explore the world of Trident Wargaming (page 20), and–for those who like numbers–present a unique insight into this city’s history (page 16). This edition is our way of helping you prep for fall. Here’s hoping the forthcoming season is a good one. t8n
It might take a couple of decades before St. Albert reaches the six-figure population mark, but questions remain about whether the city is ready to accommodate that growth. On page 5, we address the issue. Cover photo by Stephanie Cragg
2026
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ST. ALBERT AT
100 000
I CONVERSATIONS I
How the city plans to reach a population landmark BY: MALCOLM AZANIA | PHOTOGRAPHY: STEPHANIE CRAGG
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Quality of Life How people move through St. Albert—particularly along the main street of St. Albert Trail—is a crucial matter for determining quality of life in the city. Neal LaMontagne has given plenty of thought to the question of main streets. He’s a registered professional planner and member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and professor in the Earth & Atmospheric Sciences department in the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta.
STANDING ON A HILLTOP overlooking the Sturgeon River 165 years ago, Father Albert Lacombe imagined building a new and larger community from the 10 scattered houses nearby. Within a decade and the signing of Treaty 6, that community included Métis from nearby and as far away as Manitoba’s Red River settlement. By 1906, a year after Alberta became a province, St. Albert was officially a town and home to 543 people. Leap forward more than a century, and by 2025 the city had expanded to 74,730 people, making it the eighthlargest municipality in the province. If the projected annual population growth of 1.58 percent holds, by around 2045 the city will reach 100,000. If St. Albert experiences unexpected surges—such as when the city more than doubled from less than 25,000 to more than 50,000 between 1977 and 2001—it could hit that high even sooner. So, how is St. Albert going to meet all the social and economic needs of such a massively increased population?
Municipal Development Currently, through the Flourish: Growing to 100K municipal development plan, city planners are envisioning how to design the best-functioning future for a St. Albert of 100,000 people and what they hope will be 13,000 new jobs. The basis of Flourish was the Cultivating Our Future civic consultation. Between January 2014 and February 2015, it garnered 15,000 responses from 6,000 St. Albertans to guide the city’s expansion, and won approval in June 2016. In its five pillars of sustainability, Flourish announced its key values and self-concept for St. Albert’s natural and built environments, its social cohesion and ethnocultural diversity, and its economic prospects. According to Wade Bendfeld, the city’s communications supervisor, St. Albertans can expect more mixed-use areas with increased housing and employment opportunities. “That may be accomplished by supporting business and employment growth,” says Bendfeld via email, “by designating key areas for new employment growth (Lakeview Business District) [and] by achieving a 70 per cent residential/30 per cent non-residential tax assessment split.” Developing nonresidential areas will, says Bendfeld, reduce residential taxes while creating local jobs.
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LaMontagne laments how today, car-focused cities rarely develop main streets such as Stony Plain Road and Whyte Avenue in Edmonton. “Our lovely, interesting, quirky main streets kind of don't exist or aren't created in that post-war era,” says the St. Albert native. “St. Albert Trail to me is kind of like that. It’s a post-war big fat road. And yeah, you don't want to cross it.” Nevertheless, LaMontagne concedes the economic value of the trail. “It supports a type of commercial activity that's good in many ways [including] large-scale shopping.” He says he loves the scene at the Costco outlet in the Erin Ridge neighbourhood. “All good, except, yeah, it's so car-dominant. Yes, it doesn't do a lot right. It's not like a place to gather. It's not a place to send your kids.”
Mixed-use Areas However, if Flourish succeeds, LaMontagne may see the very improvement he desires. Regarding mixed-use areas, Bendfeld highlights locations such as downtown and the banks of St. Albert Trail as aligning with long-term transit plans, and foresees expanded opportunity for a walkable city. “Enabling opportunities for the Carrot Creek corridor to become a city-wide recreational amenity,” says Bendfeld, relies on “the planning and development of adjacent parkland and trails [that] will link to St. Albert’s renowned Red Willow Trail system.” According to Bendfeld, Flourish seeks to develop more of the main street experiences LaMontagne hails. “A vibrant downtown … provides residents [and visitors] a unique opportunity to spend time meeting friends for lunch, browsing the shops, visiting the Farmers’ Market, or taking in a live performance at the Arden Theatre,” he says, with other mixed-use areas including parks developed throughout the city.
LRT Service A major hope for getting St. Albertans to all those areas is better transit which includes connecting to Edmonton’s LRT service by constructing a seven-km line of Light Rail Transit. With St. Albert Trail as its main path, the LRT would use three stations on the north side of Hebert Road/Gervais Road, St. Anne Street/Sturgeon Road, and Giroux Road/Boudreau Road at a cost of $1.46B. However, as the City’s own website states, there is no timeline for construction. “Although no direct delivery of LRT has advanced, St. Albert has incorporated Edmonton’s future LRT plans into corridor planning,” says Bendfeld. “The phases
ability to plan and act on local infrastructure priorities is shaped by provincial legislation, building code requirements, and eligibility requirements for provincial and federal grant funding.” He also pointed out there are “limited opportunities to raise revenue other than [through] property taxes.”
Chaotic Climate In the face of record rainfall over the summer, cities must build for the future while facing an increasingly chaotic climate that damages infrastructure, extreme weather events that disproportionately afflicts Alberta, and causes insurance companies to claim record losses. Unfortunately, as Bendfeld says, “Support for climate action is uneven across political, social, and environmental contexts; positive climate action is often contingent on support across other levels of governments, industry, and resident support.” Yet solutions remain within grasp. “Changing standards and requirements,” says Bendfeld, “such as building codes, facility requirements, technical standards, procurement practices, and data management processes have the potential to foster more challenging conditions and environments for the City to achieve its plans.” t8n could potentially start with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on St. Albert Trail and the construction of a north park-and-ride, located north of the St. Albert Trail corridor.” LaMontagne remains doubtful. “To be honest, I can’t see actual LRT extension that far being in any serious plans other than a long-term aspiration,” he says. “So, BRT makes more sense to provide a similar service and help build a business case. Often BRT is a stepping-stone to LRT. I’m not quite sure why our region has been behind on BRT, but it’s cost-effective and adaptive. If I was a decision maker, I’d be a skeptic that St. Albert can deliver the riders to justify LRT…. But politics likes flashier things, so who knows?”
Funding Shortfall LRT expansion isn’t the only project facing obstacles. The largest roadblock remains available provincial and federal funding. Several times in its 169-page 2026 budget, the City reported it “continues to face a significant funding shortfall over the next 10 years which results in limited ability to fund future growth projects.” During a February Mid-Sized Cities Mayor's Caucus, Minister of Municipal Affairs Dan Williams noted that those coffers aren’t going to get any fuller anytime soon, prompting St. Albert Mayor Scott Olivieri to declare that municipalities will need to get more innovative. “Municipalities in general are probably going to be forced to find independent or their own self-sustaining solutions on a lot of stuff,” he said, per St. Albert Gazette. “Municipal autonomy is a key factor,” says Bendfeld, during a time when the provincial government is picking fights with the City of Edmonton over bicycle lanes. “The City’s
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I CULTURE I
Talent on canvas
The St. Albert Painters Guild facilitates artists at all skill levels BY: GENE KOSOWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY: STEPHANIE CRAGG
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LORRAINE BÉRUBÉ HAS been painting ever since
she was a kid. Over time, she’s mastered several visual art discipline from pastels and watercolours to acrylics and oils. Bérubé’s so dedicated to the craft, she’s quick to acknowledge that art has taken a vitally important role in her life. “It keeps my creativity going,” said Bérubé, who’s essentially self-taught, aside from a few years of instruction in Winnipeg. “It’s a way of interacting with other artists, and making friends. I get to show off my own creativity through art.” These days, her biggest source of interaction comes via colleagues and members of the St. Albert Painter’s Guild, many of whom get together and work on their projects every Tuesday in the multicraft room and painting studio in St. Albert Place. This time of year, those same artists are busy developing works slated for exhibition at the guild’s fall show, taking place Oct. 23-25 in the St. Albert Place rotunda. According to the St. Albert Place Visual Arts Council (SAPVAC), an umbrella organization that oversees the guild and a handful of other local visual arts associations, the fall show normally showcases the works of nearly 60 artists. More than 300 pieces of art— employing such mediums as oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolour, and mixed media—can also be purchased on the premises. Opening night is reserved as a meet-and-greet between the artists and patrons, with light refreshments and live tunes from a local musician adding to the ambience. Admission to the three-day event is free, although the guild encourages those planning to show up to bring a non-perishable consumable for the local food bank. Bérubé likes to chin-wag with folks interested in buying what’s gracing the lobby and observe what her budding artists have created. “I like the interaction with the people that are purchasing the art or just appreciate the art, so it’s a conversation,” she added. “It’s through the shows that they see what other people are putting out and they’re competent enough to think that they can create art.” The skill levels of the artists making their paintings available for sale might vary widely, but Bérubé was quick to point out that the guild doesn’t discriminate between the differing degrees of ability. “We have people that are exquisite with their art, that are formally trained, and we’ve had all kinds of cases where we have some that seem like starters,” noted Bérubé. “But we don’t judge, so there’s no jury that they have to go through to show their work with our guild.” That said, exhibitors still must follow a few rules. Given the lobby’s proximity to the nearby library that’s frequented by children, artists cannot display works containing nudity. The pieces also must be original and ready for hanging in the rotunda.
The guild also has a similar spring show in April, and some members also take part in the SAPVAC-facilitated Country Craft Fair held annually in November at St Albert Place’s WARES gift shop. Additionally, the guild has several works by its members gracing the walls year-round at the Sturgeon Women’s Health Centre and the Sturgeon Community Hospital. To keep the exhibition space fresh, volunteers replace the pieces every four months. In the case of a sale, artists whose works hang at the women’s facility get to keep the entire proceeds. The guild has a different arrangement with the hospital. “A portion of the sales are donated to the Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation,” said Bérubé. “So, it’s a win-win situation.” None of these events would likely take place if not for the formation of the guild in 1987. An offshoot of a collective known as the St. Albert Painters Tea Party, the guild was formed to further address the needs of the city’s growing visual arts community. To that end, the guild has made available studio space for artists to work on their projects, while facilitating and promoting shows and exhibitions where members can display and sell their wares. Today, the guild boasts a membership of 110 artists, but because of limited space in the St. Albert Place studio, at least 45 interested individuals have been put on a waiting list. Awaiting these prospects once they get in is a supportive, creative atmosphere where artists can share their expertise and offer feedback on works in progress. It’s an environment that Bérubé reveres. “It’s the regular people that come, but you can use the easels, and you can use whatever you’re doing,” she said. “You bring your own work, and work at your own speed. It’s nice because everybody is there to help everybody.” t8n
St. Albert Painters Guild | Fall Show St. Albert Place Rotunda (5 St. Anne Street) Fri. Oct. 23 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) Opening Night Reception (7 p.m.-9 p.m.) Sat. Oct. 24 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) Sun. Oct. 25 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) Free admission: paintersguild.wildapricot.org
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I FOOD & GATHERINGS I
CINNAMON SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE This bark-based condiment is more versatile than you think BY: GLORIA GE-WEALD | PHOTOGRAPHY: GLORIA GE-WEALD
HERE IN NORTH AMERICA, cinnamon is
synonymous with sweets. Pumpkin pie spiced lattes, pumpkin pies, cinnamon hearts, snickerdoodle cookies, and cinnamon buns bring back comforting childhood memories for many of us. This ruddy bark, though, in many
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places around the world, is a staple for savoury dishes! Its burly profile makes it an excellent foundation for brightly flavoured meats and veggies alike, so let’s explore some of these succulently spiced dishes from abroad and some of our own local guilt-free comforts, too.
Gluten-Free Cinnamon Buns For more than 40 years, Cinnabon has been enticing mall-goers with its aromatic samples, the mouth-watering scent of freshly baked dough and melted frosting wandering the corridors, leading shoppers straight to where they know a little bite of warm delight awaits. These cinnamon buns have the same ooey, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth texture—something not so easy to come by in gluten free-free form! Yet here they are, in all their majestic glory. Psyllium husk is the key for that here, as it binds and fluffs without any unwanted biscuit texture. These are bound to impress, and dare I say, if you don’t let anyone know they’re gluten-free, no one will be the wiser! DOUGH: 1 packet active dry yeast 1 tsp. coconut sugar 1 c. very warm, filtered water 3 tbsp. psyllium husk (ground, not powder) 3/4 c. hot, filtered water 3.5 c. 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour 1/2 c. coconut sugar 2 tsp. baking powder 3/4 tsp. sea salt 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1 large egg
1/2 c. melted butter FILLING: 1/3 c. coconut sugar 1/4 c. soft butter 3 tsp. cinnamon Butter frosting: 1.5 c. powdered sugar 3 tbsp. soft butter 1 tbsp. filtered water 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Add one cup of very warm, filtered water to a bowl, followed by the packet of yeast and teaspoon of sugar, then set aside. A foam should develop in five–10 minutes. In another bowl, add 3/4 hot filtered water then the psyllium husk. Stir well with a fork then set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine all remaining dry dough ingredients, followed by the egg, melted butter and foaming yeast mixture. Once that is well mixed, add in the psyllium husk gel and continue to mix until the thick dough is very uniform. Next, place the bowl of dough somewhere warm to proof for an hour, such as the oven on a proof setting, or on top of a heat pad set on warm. Once the dough has expanded, place a piece of parchment on the counter, add the dough, then place another piece of parchment paper on top. The parchment pieces should be big enough to roll out the dough to about 10 by 16 inches. Once that is done, remove the top piece of parchment, sprinkle the rectangular dough with water, rub the water around and then add the filling ingredients to the dough, making sure to spread it evenly, but leaving a one-inch filling-free at the top. This will make it easier to close the log. Use the parchment paper to help roll the log up from the bottom (the long side) up to the top, then squish the seam closed. Cut the log into 10–12 pieces, then place the piece on a well-buttered nine by 13-inch baking tray in a single layer, then place back in your warm spot of choice. Preheat the oven to 350°F, making sure it is fully up to temperature before putting the buns in, then bake for 25 minutes. Allow them to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. While they are cooling, mix the frosting. Add the frosting to the warm cinnamon buns then serve. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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Jerk Chicken Wings There has been a major evolution to the generally understood meaning of the word, but the origins of “jerk” go back thousands of years, to the indigenous inhabitants of Jamaica. These inhabitants, the Taino people, have a word “charqui”, which means “meat dried in the sun and cut into strips”, which translates to English as “jerky.” These days, we all know it as a Caribbean spice blend, generally on chicken, and a really awesome one at that! This recipe makes enough blend to make more than one batch of wings, so that you can save the extra for an easier cook-out time on your second round, because believe me, you’ll want it again! 2 tbsp. garlic powder 2 tbsp. onion powder 2 tbsp. freshly ground black pepper 1 tbsp. + 2 tsp. sea salt 1 tbsp. + 2 tsp. dried thyme 1 tbsp. + 1 tsp. coconut or brown sugar 1 tbsp. dried parsley 1 tbsp. cayenne 2 tsp. allspice
2 tsp. paprika 1.5 tsp. cinnamon 1.5 tsp. chili flakes 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. clove 1/2 tsp. cumin 1-2 lbs. chicken wings coconut oil for coating wings
Preheat oven to 400°F. Grind whole black peppercorns and mix all spices in a bowl, set aside. Rinse the chicken then transfer to a bowl. Coat the chicken in the oil then start to blend in the spices, mixing together as you go until about 1/3-1/2 of the blend is used, depending on preference and amount of wings being cooked. Once fully coated, place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet in single file and then put it in the oven once it is preheated. Set a timer for 5 minutes and turn down to 375°F after the five-minute timer goes off, resetting the timer for 25 minutes. Serve!
Lebanese Beef Pilaff (Hashweh) Hashweh literally translates to “stuffing,” and is traditionally used as just that. It fills savoury pastries, known as kibbeh, grape leaves, zucchinis, eggplants and poultry alike, and is also sometimes also used as a side dish. Not only is it versatile, this one-pot dish is also quick and easy to make! 1.5 c. white rice 1 lb. ground beef 1 medium red onion 1 tbsp. minced garlic 2 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. sea salt 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper coconut or olive oil for sautéing parsley, pine nuts and currents to taste
Soak rice in cold water. Measure all the dried spices into a small bowl and mix. Add cooking oil to a large heavy-bottomed pot and heat. Once the oil is warm, add the onions, sautéing them for a few minutes before adding the beef then add all the garlic and half the spices. Cook until beef is browned. Drain the rice and add it to the pot along with a tablespoon of oil and the remainder of the spice blend, stirring all together for a couple of minutes before adding 2.5 cups of filtered water. Bring to a boil and let it boil until the water is reduced by over half, then turn to low, cover the pot and let cook for about 20 minutes, until moisture is fully absorbed. Take off the heat and let rest for 10 minutes. While it is resting, rinse and chop the parsley, then plate the hashweh, garnishing with the parsley, currents and pine nuts.
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Moroccan Fish & Chickpea Stew Ras El Hanout is a perfect example of how global trade bolsters vibrant palettes. With Morocco’s strategic placement along the spice trade routes, the region has been privy to all sorts of flavourful commerce for many hundreds of years, and, ras el hanout is a product of that. Meaning “top shelf,” there is no one way to make this spice blend. Traditionally, with merchants, it is always comprised of the finest of whatever happens to be available at the time. And with families, recipes are passed down for generations, and are guarded as secrets meant to be honoured. RAS EL HANOUT SPICE BLEND: 2.5 tsp. coriander 1.5 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. cumin 1 tsp. paprika 1 tsp. allspice 1 tsp. turmeric 1 tsp. ginger 1 tsp. nutmeg 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 tsp. cayenne 1/4 tsp. cloves
COD MARINATE: 1 lb cod fillets 3 tbsp. olive oil 1 tbsp. ras el hanout sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste juice of 1/2 lemon STEW BASE 5 medium tomatoes 1 can of chickpeas 1 c. fresh, chopped cilantro 2 tbsp. freshly minced garlic 1 tbsp. ras el hanout 1.5 tsp. paprika 1/2 tsp. cumin 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1 tsp. sea salt olive oil for cooking
If your cod is frozen, place it in some warm, running water to thaw. Combine the ras el hanout spice blend in a small bowl and set aside. Dice the tomatoes and mince the garlic, then add oil to a pan and heat. Once the oil is heated, add the garlic, sautéing for 30 seconds before adding in the tomatoes. Cook for four-five more minutes before adding in the rinsed chickpeas, cilantro, all spices and the sea salt. Bring to a boil then turn the heat to low and place a lid on the dish, simmering for about 20 minutes. Make sure to keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t reduce too much, but if it does, add a dash of water. Transfer the marinated cod fillets to the pan, making sure they are sitting in the sauce, as well as scooping some of the sauce on top of the fillets, before adding the lid back on and simmering for 10 more minutes.
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I THE EIGHTS I
Easing into autumn BY: STEPHANIE CRAGG PHOTOGRAPHY: STEPHANIE CRAGG
One of the more pleasant seasonal transitions we get to experience
THE CHANGES ARE usually subtle: summer heat is replaced with
a cooling down, and our psyches are ready for things to slow down. Quieter activities inside our homes are starting to feel more appealing than the constant moving we’ve been doing for months. Hockey is back. The food and drinks that we are starting to crave are ones with more substance, like a hearty stew, a hot cup of coffee or some dark chocolate. We have traversed St. Albert to find you the items that will tick all of the boxes!
Guatemala espresso roast coffee (340 g. bag $19)
Endeavour Brewing & Coffee Roasters, 215 Carnegie Dr.
Soky & Soka faux leather bike jacket lined with fur ($119.99) Frock Box, 445 St. Albert Tr.
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#93 Loud & Proud Hat ($38)
The Seven Eighty, 375 St. Albert Tr.
Villager puzzles ($32) Sweet Boutique, 200 St. Albert Tr.
Blue Sky Clothing Co. men’s dress socks ($6.99) Sweet Boutique, 200 St. Albert Tr.
Cross-stitch patterns and kits ($9.99 & up) Mr. Frame, 2009 Tudor Glen
Hominy for pozole soup ($7.49) Tienda Latina, 1000 Tudor Glen
Assorted bonbons (single $2.60, Six pieces $16.95), JACEK Chocolate Couture, 150 Bellerose Dr.
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I THEN & NOW I
QUANTIFYING THE PAST A look at St. Albert by the numbers BY: GENE KOSOWAN
EVER SINCE WE’VE learned how to count, we’ve had a rather complicated relationship with numbers. We’ve celebrated them on
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Number of occasions an independent Member of Parliament (namely, Brent Rathgeber) represented St. Albert. Maximum number of officers on active duty at any time once the St. Albert Police Force was established in 1874. Years served on town council by Cheri Hebert, St. Albert’s first mayor. Number of terms served by real estate entrepreneur Lucien Boudreau as a Liberal MLA
Number of seasons Joe Benoit, reportedly St. Albert’s first NHL player, spent with the Montreal Canadiens.
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Length of existence, in months, of the Interurban Railway, which connected St. Albert to Edmonton before fire destroyed the operation in 1914. Number of students who attended the first year of a school established in the St. Albert area by the Grey Nuns in 1863. Total length, in kilometres, of hiking trails within Riverlot 56. Number of years that had passed before St. Albert’s first rodeo was officially named the Rainmaker Rodeo in 1974. Cost in dollars of registration fee to purchase land in St. Albert, thanks to the passage of The Settlement Act in 1872. T8Nmagazine.com
11 12 16 17 20 25 27 30 40 46 48
Age when world women’s curling champion Cathy King first started playing the sport. Number of seasons hockey star Mark Messier played with the Edmonton Oilers. Number of guest rooms that occupied the second floor of the now-defunct Bruin Inn. Number of years Lois Hole served as trustee for St. Albert School District No. 6. Maximum number of employees on Perron Brickyard payroll until the business folded in 1932. Monthly salary, in dollars, of St. Albert’s Fire Chief in 1912. Number of seasons the St. Albert Saints played in the city before relocating to Spruce Grove in 2004. Number of lots drawn up for settlement near the St. Albert Mission during the 1860s. Monthly wage, in dollars, of a St. Albert police officer in 1905. Length, in feet, of concrete boat dubbed “Clark’s Ark,” built by St. Albert resident Don Clark on his driveway. Square kilometres of land currently occupied by the City of St. Albert
New Year’s Eve, reveled in them whenever scoreboard tallies favoured our cherished teams, struggled with them in math class, and cursed them during tax time. But they’re also fun to play with, hence this editorial piece. What follows is a compilation of several figures that chronicle St. Albert’s evolution from a humble mission site to one of the most prosperous cities in Canada. Some might be trivial, while others might double as milestones signifying the development of this community. Here’s a look at a few of them, taken from previous articles published in T8N’s Then & Now section.
Fare, in cents, needed to ride an Edmonton Transit System bus between St. Albert and the provincial capital during the 1970s.
50 75 100 112 130 260 300 343 514
Price of admission, in cents per couple, to Friday night dances held at St. Albert Community Hall in 1940. Amount of land, in acres, given to farmers Peter and Mary Sernowski in 1928, in what is now Oakmont. Seating capacity of St. Albert Cinemas, the community’s first movie theatre, when it opened in Village Tree Mall in 1981. Number of patrons who attended the first service held at St. Albert United Church when it officially opened in 1954. Length of the Sturgeon River, in kilometres, from Hoople Lake to the North Saskatchewan River. Estimated number of deaths recorded in St. Albert during the 1918-1920 Spanish Flu epidemic. Number of students enrolled at Paul Kane High School when it opened in 1963.
Inaugural attendance of students at Bellerose Composite High School when it opened in 1988.
543 1050 1070
Number of residents in St. Albert when it was declared a town in 1906. Estimated square footage of St. Albert’s first chapel built in 1861, spearheaded by Father Albert Lacombe. Original AM frequency of St. Albert radio station CKST when it first broadcast in 1978; it currently survives as Edmonton-based FM station Virgin Radio. Total points accumulated by hockey great Jarome Iginla during his NHL career, most of them with the Calgary Flames.
1300 1500 2000 5000 6500 25000
Cost, in dollars, to repair the Perron Street Bridge in 1890. Circulation of francophone newspaper Le Progrès, which was distributed province-wide in 1912. Length, in feet, of main runway at nearby Villeneuve Airport. Number of artefacts stored in the Musée Héritage Museum. Estimated number of residents in St. Albert when it became a city in 1977.
I MEET YOU THERE I
FUN & FIT, FRESH & FIXED
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A FEW NEW AND IMPROVED RECREATION FACILITIES IN THE REGION CENTRAL PARK, SPRUCE GROVE
BY: GENE KOSOWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY: BR2 ARCHITECTURE, CITY OF SPRUCE GROVE, GLORIA GE-WEALD, GENE KOSOWAN AND TOWN OF STONY PLAIN
FITNESS FANATICS AND LEISURE buffs have
access to more than a handful of new and modified recreation options in St. Albert and the surrounding area, including a couple that have yet to swing open their doors. Some of them include upgrades to meet international standards, while others are ideal for a pleasant getaway. Whether you’re an athlete bent on smashing an Olympic record or a casual stroller wanting to take in the vibe of the locale, there’s at least one place on this list that can address a variety of recreational needs.
Central Park (Spruce Grove) Central Park has been a popular recreation hub in Spruce Grove for years. A year after its upgrade, locals have since had an even greater incentive to visit the space. Opened in the wake of an $8.7-million construction contract, the park offers a blend of new perks and familiar amenities, from the splash pad and fire pit to a shaded picnic space and skating oval. But the big draw is the creation of one of the largest wheeled sports parks in the province, with a street-styled area that features some challenging ledges, ramps and stairs for skateboard enthusiasts. Pedal pushers also have access to an assortment of new trails, while additional benches and elaborate illumination punctuate the surroundings.
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CORONATION PARK SPORTS & RECREATION CENTRE, EDMONTON
Coronation Park Sports & Recreation Centre (Edmonton) After three years of renovations, the venerable Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre northwest of downtown re-emerged in January in the form of a multi-purpose fitness facility on steroids. The pool is still there, albeit upgraded with new amenities like a cold splash pool. But now it shares expanded space with a 250-metre velodrome oval, a 333-metre running track, a bouldering wall for ardent rock climbers, and scores of training centres, studios and spaces. The whole structure was built for $153 million, enough to fill at least a decade’s worth of potholes, if frugal taxpayers had their way. But proponents of the centre claim it won’t be long before those costs will be recovered. For openers, the facility is the only one of its kind in North America to house under one roof all the features required by triathletes. It’s been reported that triathlon teams overseas have already started booking the place.
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And while everything in the Coronation’s 16,000 sq metre confines match world-class standards, don’t expect highprofile elites to monopolize the space. Everything’s been designed for users of all ages and athletic abilities.
Joint Trail Connection (Spruce Grove/Stony Plain) With scores of paths streaming through St. Albert’s Willow Trail system, a new corridor wouldn’t raise many eyebrows in the city. But one trail connecting two municipalities was a huge deal for residents of Spruce Grove and Stony Plain when it opened in 2024. Taking a year to complete, the project cost around $450,000, with Spruce Grove paying for two-thirds of the endeavour, and Stony Plain ponying up the rest. The 1.6 km Joint Trail Connection starts at Campsite Road in Spruce Grove, runs just south of Hwy 16A, and finishes at Veterans Boulevard in Stony Plain. Built with recreation and safety in mind, the trail mitigates the risks previously taken by pedestrians and two-wheelers when they commuted between the two communities on the highway’s shoulders.
JOINT TRAIL CONNECTION (SPRUCE GROVE/STONY PLAIN) STONY PLAIN REGIONAL COMMUNITY RECREATION FACILITY (ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING)
Stony Plain Regional Community Recreation Facility (Stony Plain) Still under construction at a cost of around $41.6 million, this complex has a good chance of opening its doors before the year is out. Once the ceremonial ribbon has been cut, locals will be greeted by a building offering an array of pickleball courts, a dryland fieldhouse with a turfed surface, and spaces for several additional sports. Also included in the blueprints for the family-friendly facility are six curling ice sheets, a walking and running track, and even a lounge for patrons to relax after the fun and games.
The Center Sports Complex (St. Albert) Shut down after nearly a year and renovated under new ownership, this facility–previously known as Raise Athletics– will open its doors in September with an even wider array of sporting options. New proprietors The Center, which owns two other facilities in Edmonton, calls the St. Albert complex a “comprehensive ecosystem for athletes of all ages” and they’re not kidding.
THE CENTER SPORTS COMPLEX (ST. ALBERT)
The 170,000 sq. foot building at 9 Richardson Dr. boasts more than 30 courts and bays for volleyball, basketball, and pickleball, with additional training bays dedicated to hoopsters. There’s also a 4,000 sq. foot “performance zone” for strength and conditioning.
William Hawrelak Park (Edmonton) William Hawrelak Park is one of Edmonton’s most popular green spaces—ground zero for the Heritage Festival, Shakespeare in the Park and several other events—so when the city announced it was closed for renovations in 2023, thousands of ears perked up. But with the park’s opening this year, locals discovered how much work went into the $134.5-million makeover. Some changes really stand out, like the Heritage Amphitheatre being refitted with state-of-the-art lighting. The main pavilion boasts upgraded fixtures and finishes right down to the washrooms, as well as an adjacent promenade bordering the lake. The huge attraction for kids is a playground that consists of three coniferous tree towers with a plethora of interactive features. Throughout the park, several new hiking trails lead patrons through a modified landscape. t8n
T8N September 2026
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I SPOTLIGHT I
FANTASY FIGHTING
Trident Wargaming offers tabletop conflict to hundreds of devotees BY: TOM MURRAY | PHOTOGRAPHY: STEPHANIE CRAGG
ACCORDING TO BILL BONKO, when it comes to
table top gaming, the rabbit hole can go as deep as you want it to go. “I think one of the main draws with tabletop games is that they allow you to scratch that tactical gaming itch that you’ll get from chess or Risk, but at the same time you can build a custom character to reflect yourself,” says the founder of St. Albert’s Trident Wargaming, a society dedicated to the playing of such games as Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar. “There’s no limit to how much you can invest yourself in it.” Turns out there are a fair number of people who want to invest themselves as far as they can go. Warhammer 40K in particular draws hundreds of people around the Edmonton area for tournaments where they set up a board, miniature models representing armies, and dice. The objective? At its simplest, to beat the army in front of you. Released by Games Workshop in 1987, Warhammer 40K has grown past gaming to become a multi-million-dollar industry that includes novels and even an upcoming TV series spearheaded by Henry Cavill. The beating heart of it is still with the gamers, however; like Dungeons and Dragons, it relies on imagination and wit. Rolling dice is the smallest part of the game, creating and maintaining an imaginary world is the largest.
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Inventing what Bonko calls a “headcanon” to describe the characters and events in the game adds that much more spice to the proceedings. Take the lore one more step with the use of social media and others can chime in on your growing imaginary universe. Voila, you now have a community. For Bonko, this is possibly the most important part of the game. The now six-year-old organization prides itself on creating spaces that engender a sense of belonging. They host drop-in nights, league play, and numerous events through the year to bring together disparate game players. Trident Wargaming has no interest in gatekeeping the games that they’re so passionate about. “We’re really trying to promote a positive side of the hobby,” says Bonko. “It’s about getting together, and having people drop in for the first time. You get them rolling dice, playing games, and next thing you know, they’re coming to all your events. They just want to help out wherever they can, and they feel like they’re actually part of the community. That’s the biggest thing that we push, trying to create that sense of belonging for everybody.” According to Bonko, Trident has been growing exponentially since forming in 2020. The group started out with weekly podcasts, keeping the flame alive during the dark days of Covid. It was a way to keep connected with gaming friends as well, but once the world began opening up they started hosting
WE’RE REALLY TRYING TO PROMOTE A POSITIVE SIDE OF THE HOBBY, IT’S ABOUT GETTING TOGETHER. THAT’S THE BIGGEST THING THAT WE PUSH, TRYING TO CREATE THAT SENSE OF BELONGING FOR EVERYBODY. BILL BONKO
events and pushing for community leagues and nights where they concentrated on painting miniatures. Now they’re back to running sold out or nearly sold out events every three to five weeks. There’s a weekly drop-in night in St. Albert, and they’ve been reaching across to help other organizations like Game Con, which took over the Edmonton Expo Centre in June for three nights of gaming. Bonko reckons that Trident is possibly the largest event runners in the city at the moment. Bonko points out that tabletop gaming can often require more commitment than a video game console does. Once gamers discover a love for the technical side of playing, they’ll often find themselves gravitating to the miniatures, spending hours painting them with like-minded hobbyists. They have a saying at Trident: build it, paint it, and play it. “It’s easier to buy an X-Box than it is to buy a [miniature] army,” Bonko admits. “It’s cheaper, but you don’t get to build your models the way you want. You don’t get to paint the way you want. You don’t get to set up terrain and a battlefield and have this whole immersion experience with your army with an X-Box. With that you plug it in, you play, you do your thing, and that’s fine, but with tabletop gaming you’re buying into more than just rolling dice.” That leads us back to the word community again. Bonko has enjoyed playing tabletop simulators, especially during the early days of Covid when in-person games weren’t a reality. It’s a way to play with overseas friends, but he very much misses the face-to-face engagement. It’s the community that appeals. As he notes, that community is broadening. Wargaming hasn’t traditionally drawn in a large number of women, but Bonko is seeing a change. “You see more coming onto the scene and that’s great,” he says. “We have one woman who has been playing with us for the last while. She had heard about the way we like to reinforce the positive, and we play hard. We have kind of like a close-knit group and we try to keep promoting that welcoming atmosphere, and she jumped in. It was like, ‘Are you a good person? Do you like to roll dice and have the odd nice, cold beverage?’ She was like, ‘I’m in,’ and now part of our team.” t8n
GATHER WITH FRIENDS Friday & Saturday: Chef’s Table d’hôte
Sunday:
Brunch and Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding 8 Mission Avenue St. Albert | 587.290.1655 riverbankbistro.ca Book your next private event
T8N September 2026
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I DOWN TIME I
PUZZLING PUMPKINS
IT’S THAT TIME of year when tricks are synonymous
with treats and costumed kids parade to your door for an offering of sweets. Not to be outdone, we’ve also got a few tricks up our sleeve, so you can take advantage of our own inventory of sweets. This one’s a two-stage challenge, however. First, guess which Jack o’ lantern contains the most Hallowe’en candies. Then guess how many candies are in Jack o’ lantern #2. Once you come up with both answers, write them down on this page, whip out your smartphone to click an image of it, then post it on either Facebook or X (tagging #t8n, of course) or direct message us with the attached image instead.
Guess which gourd contains We will draw a prize for one of the people who guesses the correct o’ lantern and another prize for the closest guess concerning the most goodies. Jack the candies. Prize is available only to St. Albert residents.
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Halloween!
Book your fall dental cleaning today and Let your smile shine bright all season long! 24
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