Cold Lake city council approved to change the former Stepping Stones Crisis Centre at 5201 50th St, into a supportive living accommodations for minors with medical needs.
The new group home will provide 24 hour care for up to 12 children under the age of 17, and four staff will be on site. City planner Brad Schultz said the building’s new use will stay institutional and should have no impact on the area than the existing shelter. Since the property is in a Direct Control district, council needed to make the final decision.
The Stepping Stones Crisis Centre will remain at the site until it relocates to a new facility. The supportive living change will take effect after the sale of the property closes on October 27, 2025.
Nearby residents brought up concerns during the meeting about property values, parking and safety. “We have old people. We have a senior citizen home down the street. And we have a school. With little kids. It’s not great, Craig. Not great at all,” one resident said.
Mayor Craig Copeland addressed the concerns, stating the facility is not for individuals involved in crime. “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 said. “The people that are causing the issues are outside of that house and all around our city right now.”
Schultz clarified that the site cannot be used as a men’s shelter or temporary shelter, and noted the organization also runs a similar group home in the Creekside neighbourhood with no reported complaints.
Councillor Adele Richardson supported the idea, calling the project something Cold Lake needs. “These are the types of supportive living beds that… our community is missing,” she said.
Copeland added, “This probably is as good as can be in terms of what we know our community wants, our needs, but not necessarily want to have it their neighbourhood.” Council approved the motion.
