COLD LAKE – Cold Lake City Council has officially approved a development permit to change the use of the former Stepping Stones Crisis Centre at 5201-50th Street from a temporary shelter to a supportive living accommodation.
The Stepping Stones Crisis Centre will soon be relocated to a new facility. The building at its former location will serve a different supportive purpose in the community.
The decision was made during the June 24 regular council meeting following a question period and presentation, where nearby residents expressed concern about the proposed group home for minors with medical conditions requiring 24-hour care.
“The group home would be to accommodate children under the age of 17 who require 24-hour medical care,” said City Planner Brad Schultz.
“The expected number of residents would be 12 residents with four staff looking after them.”
Because the property is in a Direct Control district, the council was required to make the final decision. Administration recommended approval, citing that the new use remains institutional in nature and would likely have an equal or lesser impact than the current shelter use.
It was noted that there were some formal objections received from the 32 adjacent property owners who were notified, according to the City of Cold Lake.
Several residents who live near the property raised concerns during the meeting about safety, property values, parking, and the possibility of increased police activity in the area.
“I'm a taxpaying citizen, and I don't want that crap by my house,” one resident said. “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.”
Mayor Craig Copeland assured residents that the new facility would not house individuals involved in criminal activity and emphasized the difference between the proposed group home and other shelter-type services.
“We're fully aware of what's going on in the community and I'll pretty much guarantee that nobody in that house are going to be the ones that are causing the problem in our community,” said Copeland. “The people that are causing the [issues] are outside of that house and all around our city right now.”
Shultz clarified that the approved use does not allow for a men's shelter or any temporary shelter, as those are not permitted under the supportive living accommodation designation.
He noted that the applicant currently operates a similar group home in the Creekside neighbourhood in Cold Lake North and said no official complaints or property value concerns have been reported there.
Coun. Adele Richardson supported the project, saying Cold Lake lacks this kind of care. “These are the types of supportive living beds that… our community is missing,” she said.
The change of use approval will take effect on Oct. 27, 2025, which is the scheduled closing date for the sale of the property at 5201 50th Street. The building currently houses the Stepping Stones Crisis Centre, which remains operational at that location but is expected to relocate before the sale is finalized. Once the transition is complete, the site will be repurposed as a supportive living accommodation.
Copeland concluded that, compared to other possible uses for the building, this project would be a beneficial and low-impact addition to the neighbourhood.
“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 in their neighbourhood,” he said.
Council approved the motion to change the use of 5201 50th Street from a temporary shelter to a supportive living accommodation, as recommended by administration.
