This location offered several advantages, notably its easy access to supplies of wood and water, in addition to its excellent soil, it being a regular stopping-point for First Nations peoples on their travels, and its proximity to Fort Edmonton, where the priests could purchase necessary supplies and minister to Catholic workers.

[14][15] A healing garden, named Kâkesimokamik, was opened on September 15, 2017, as part of the truth-and-reconciliation process between the city of St. Albert and survivors (and their descendants) of the residential school system.

In June 2009, the City Council approved a multi-staged plan for the heritage sites, featuring the restoration of the grain elevators and the opening of both a Métis and French Canadian farm on adjacent lots by the River.

In 2011, 67.5% of the 40,560 adults aged 25 years and over in St. Albert had completed some form of postsecondary education, compared with 59.6% at the national level.

The largest visible minority groups were Filipino (3.1%), South Asian (1.7%), Black (1.5%), Chinese (1.3%), and Arab (1.0%).

Located in the heart of downtown, St. Albert Place is the focal point of many community events and activities.

Designed by world-renowned Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal, its sculptural symmetry mimics the curves of the Sturgeon River that runs behind it.

The Musée Héritage Museum celebrates and explores the story of St. Albert through a variety of programs which seek to preserve the community's history for the future.

The museum houses both permanent and temporary exhibits and also contains a Children's Discovery Room and gift shop.

The gallery features monthly exhibitions, a variety of public programs and also runs an annual art auction in St Albert.

[citation needed] In 2008, NBC decided to film portions of its new horror/suspense anthology series Fear Itself in St. Albert's downtown and river valley.

You can find locally grown fresh produce, handmade products and crafts and listen to the music of the buskers.

As many as 6,000 participants come to St. Albert to enjoy Rock'n August, a five-day festival held to celebrate the rumbles of chrome pipes and the rim shots of classic Rock and Roll music.

It is hosted annually by the Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Company and generally takes place during the second weekend in May.

The Library provides a wide range of services for St. Albert residents and visitors, including lending materials such as books, CDs and DVDs, providing digital resources such as downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks, databases and streaming products, providing services such as public computing and WiFi access and presenting learning opportunities such as children's storytimes, adult programs and educational sessions including technology training.

It features a recreational aquatic centre, a kid's play area, the Troy Murray, Mark Messier and Go Auto Arenas, two indoor soccer/lacrosse fields, three basketball courts, a large exercise room, and a running track among other amenities.

Servus Credit Union Place served as an expansion of the original Campbell Twin Arenas, which housed the Mark Messier and Troy Murray hockey rinks built in 1992, named for those two local National Hockey League (NHL) players.

There was some controversy in 2006 when the city announced that they would rename the two existing rinks, and were going to offer those naming rights for sale.

Following coverage of the controversy surfacing in Sports Illustrated, then mayor Paul Chalifoux decided to repeal the decision.

Other hockey players that have played in St. Albert are Rob Brown, Geoff Sanderson, Fernando Pisani, Paul Comrie, Stu Barnes, Brian Benning, Matt Benning, Steven Goertzen, René Bourque, Jamie Lundmark, Erik Christensen, Steve Reinprecht, Todd Ewen, Dion Phaneuf, Drew Stafford, Nick Holden, Emanuel Viveiros, Colton Parayko, Tyson Jost, Josh Mahura, and Joe Benoit.

St. Albert recently added an artificial turf field in Riel Park as the home of every minor team in the city.

River Lot 56 is across from the NE corner of Sir Winston Churchhill Ave and Poundmaker Rd and has professionally groomed multiple loop trails with interpretive signs and maps.

After the rise of the Reform Party of Canada and its subsequent change to the Canadian Alliance, John G. Williams was elected and served five terms as the city's Member of Parliament, becoming a Conservative MP after the Alliance's 2003 merger with the Progressive Conservative Party, before stepping down in 2008.

St. Albert's governing body is composed of a mayor (currently Cathy Heron) and six city councillors.

[62] St. Albert's flag is a red, white and blue design, with a stylized coat of arms located on the upper hoist.

The blue and white, colours shared with Quebec, represents the Francophones and Métis peoples who first settled St. Albert.

[66] The STAR Literacy Program matches volunteer tutors with adults who wish to improve their reading and writing skills.

[67] In 1998, the Saint City News was founded, operating as the Gazette's major competitor for 13 years until it closed in 2011.

[69] The long form monthly magazine T8N began distribution in 2014, and covers topics about the city and its people.

Local air services are provided by the St. Albert Heliport to the northwest of the city[73] and Villeneuve Airport to the west, while Sturgeon Community Hospital has a helipad to receive and transfer patients.