Community wellness – a healthier, happier Strathmore
By Mayor Pat Fule Town of Strathmore
Community wellness is about more than one thing – it’s a collection of small but powerful efforts that make a big difference. It’s about feeling connected, having access to services, and enjoying the spaces that bring people together. In Strathmore, we’re working to build a community where wellness is a shared priority.
Strathmore residents are fortunate to enjoy 24 public playgrounds, over 276 acres of parks and green space, and more than 32 kilometres of pathways that connect our neighbourhoods. These spaces give families places to gather, kids room to play, and everyone the opportunity to stay active and enjoy the outdoors. They are a big part of what makes life here feel vibrant, connected, and rooted in community. To maintain this and guide future decisions, the town is developing a Recreation and Culture Needs Assessment to understand how best to meet the needs of our growing and changing population.
Health care is another key part of overall wellness. Strathmore residents have raised concerns about access to doctors and medical services, and council has responded. The Physician Sponsorship Grant Pilot Program provides funding to local clinics that sponsor physicians through Alberta’s College of Physicians & Surgeons program. It’s a targeted, community-driven solution to a challenge many rural and mid-sized communities are facing. By supporting recruitment at the local level, we’re doing what we can to help ensure more residents can get the care they need close to home.
We’re also supporting innovation in health care. Last fall, council received a presentation from Frontier Diagnostics about the potential to bring a CT scanner to our community – a project that could improve diagnostic access and reduce travel times for patients throughout the region. It’s still early days, but council is exploring new ways to support community wellness and find creative solutions to the challenges our community faces.
When we talk about community wellness, we’re talking about creating a place where people can thrive – physically, mentally, and socially. It’s about feeling safe and supported. It’s about having access to services, activities, and spaces that make life a little bit better each day. And it’s about making sure no one feels left behind. Whether it’s a new event, maintaining pathways in the park, or a grant that helps bring a doctor to town, each piece adds to the bigger picture.
Over the past several weeks, I have shared updates on the six pillars of Council’s Strategic Plan. From economic development and financial stability to community building and environmental stewardship, each piece connects back to the same goal: making life better in Strathmore. Our priorities mirror the values of the people who live here, and our work is guided by a simple idea – when our community is strong, everyone benefits.
Strathmore’s commitment to community wellness reflects who we are and what we care about. As we look to the future, council will keep working to build a town that supports its people in every sense of the word.
(At the beginning of each term, council sets the course for the future by adopting a Strategic Plan – a guiding blueprint that charts priorities and directs resources. This plan outlines six key strategic priorities that influence decision-making throughout the term. In the past few weeks, Mayor Pat Fule provided insights into each of Strathmore’s strategic priorities, reflecting on both achievements and challenges along the way.)