An expanded group home to assist minors who require 24 hour medical supervision could be opening in Cold Lake. 

City council agreed to change the use of the current Stepping Stones Crisis Society building from a “temporary shelter” to a “supportive living accommodation” at the June 24 council meeting. 

Stepping Stones is looking to sell the property at 5201 50th Street, as they are gearing up to move to their expanded 50,000 square foot new building in the fall. 

While the item of changing the use of the building was not a public hearing, residents expressed concern during the public question period – before the presentation happened – of what the change would be. 

There were pleas to not allow a men’s shelter, citing issues that ratepayers have had with vagrancy and crime – but that was not on the table. 

“I think there was a lot of misinformation out there on the street about what the use was going to be,” said Mayor Craig Copeland on The Morning After.

(discussion begins at 13:40)

Property under ‘Direct Control’

Based on the information provided to city staff, the group home would be to accommodate children under the age of 17 that require 24 hour medical care, with up to 12 residents and four staff looking after them.

This would expand their current operations already going on in Cold Lake North.

Group homes and continuing care type facilities are regulated by the province, so the day to day operation would fall under the purview of the Government of Alberta.

The prospective buyers filed a development permit to have the use changed to go along with their plan.

The City had previously zoned that land as “Direct Control” meaning a public hearing was not required for this change of use.

In fact, since the property was already zoned as a “temporary shelter” if the City had an application for a men’s shelter there — like some feared — it wouldn’t need to be decided on by council.

However, neighbouring residents, a total of 32 properties were notified about the potential change of use beforehand.

“They specifically say, we do not want to be used as a men’s shelter. That’s the wording within there,” said CAO Kevin Nagoya about the letters returned back to the City.

Heated exchange

Before the pertinent information was shared, many questions were fired by residents to council and administration, regarding if property values would go down, the age of the clients, would there be an increase in parking, and whether there would be increased RCMP patrols.

It shows the level of frustration with the current vagrancy issue.

“If something like that is in our vicinity, I’ve been ripped off twice. I’ve been stolen my truck twice. It’s very frustrating. I’m a tax paying citizen, and I don’t want that crap by my house,” said Tina Birn.

Copeland said he 100 per cent guaranteed that the homeless aren’t going in and out of that facility.

“I’ll pretty much guarantee that nobody in that house are going to be the ones that are causing the problem in our community,” he responded.

Then the intentions of the development change were stated later on in the meeting.

“We want the best for our youth in our area, and this is a service that’s desperately needed and great location. There was concerns that there was going to be break ins, there was going to be vandalism and all that stuff. Because, you know, there’s no secret in Cold Lake we’ve had a series of issues.

“I assured them that the clientele that’s going to be in the home, that’s the last thing they’re going to be thinking of.

“For Cold Lake families, instead of having their loved ones say, go elsewhere, where you got to drive an hour, hour-and-a-half to visit your child, here’s an opportunity for a Cold Lake parent or Bonnyville parent. It’s going to be right here. You can visit your child, but you can go sleep at night knowing that there’s a nurse on duty.”

The approval would have an effective date of October 27, 2025, as Stepping Stones has not moved out yet.