Since 1881, the Jackson family has operated a farm just north of Edmonton, but now their livelihood is in jeopardy due to plans to build a new arena for the Sherwood Park Crusaders. The council approved an agreement with the hockey team in February for the construction of an $86-million four-sheet arena next to the Jackson Homesteaders property. The county would gift the team a 17-acre site for the building and pay $990,000 annually for operation and maintenance. The Jacksons believe the traffic generated by the arena will drive them out of business, as it will make it impossible for them to operate their large crop-carrying semis and tractors.
The proposed arena site connects to the south side of the Jackson property, right in front of their home and driveway. The Jacksons believe that the proximity of the arena to their farm will pose significant dangers to their livestock, employees, and machinery. The property set aside for the arena was originally owned by the Jacksons until the county threatened to expropriate it in 2013 for a stormwater pond and road upgrades. Despite selling the land to the county two years later, no development has taken place in the past decade. The Jacksons were not informed by the county about the new plans for the site, and are now facing the potential end of their farm.
Laura Jackson reached out to councillors to invite them to view the property and understand the impact of the arena, but they declined to visit. Instead, they have met with the Crusaders’ executive and attended games. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday to allow people to express their thoughts on the proposal. Jackson believes nearly two dozen people will speak out against the rezoning change that would allow the project to move forward. Despite their opposition, the county did not provide an interview with Global News prior to the hearing. If the rezoning is approved, the county and Crusaders hope to have the arena open by September 2026.
The Jackson family fears that the construction of the arena will make it impossible for them to continue operating their farm alongside the traffic and activities generated by the facility. They are concerned about the dangers posed to their livestock, employees, and machinery due to the proximity of the arena to their property. Despite selling a section of land to the county in 2015, the promised stormwater pond and road upgrades have not been developed, leaving the Jacksons feeling blindsided by the new plans for the site. They have been actively trying to raise awareness and opposition to the arena project, hoping that the county and Crusaders will reconsider the location of the facility.
The Jacksons’ frustration with the lack of communication and consideration from the county and Crusaders is evident as they face the potential loss of their family farm. They have expressed their concerns about the impacts of the arena and the challenges it will pose to their operations, but feel that their voices are not being heard. The family’s long-standing connection to the land and their livelihood is at risk due to the decision to build the arena adjacent to their property. As they prepare to voice their opposition at the public hearing, they can only hope that their concerns will be taken into account and that a solution can be found that preserves their farm.
In the face of the looming threat to their farm, the Jacksons continue to fight for their livelihood and the future of their family business. The proposed arena represents a significant challenge to the stability and sustainability of their operations, and the family is determined to make their voices heard in the hopes of finding a resolution that will protect their farm. As they navigate the uncertain future ahead, the Jacksons remain steadfast in their commitment to preserving their legacy and heritage on the land they have called home for generations.
