'I ❤️ SG' Conversation Series Topic #18- Respecting our Heritage
- Erin Stevenson
- Sep 10
- 3 min read
Spruce Grove Councillor Erin Stevenson is proud to launch her campaign for a third term under the banner “I ❤️ SG”—a positive, community-focused message reflecting her deep commitment to the people, places, and possibilities that make Spruce Grove special.
Honouring Our Heritage and Preserving Spruce Grove’s Story
Heritage is more than history—it’s the foundation of who we are as a community. In Spruce Grove, respect for our past is woven into public spaces, traditions, and the ways we choose to remember those who came before us. As part of her “I 💙 SG” campaign for a third term, Councillor Erin Stevenson is reflecting on the progress the City has made in preserving and celebrating heritage, and how much more there is to share.
Watch the video:
LOVE: Preserving and Celebrating
Over the past term, Spruce Grove has taken important steps to honour veterans, celebrate community stories, and protect historical records. Working with the Spruce Grove Legion, the City now displays commemorative banners along King Street each year. These banners recognize men and women who served Canada in war or peacekeeping missions. Ten banners have been installed to date, sparked by an idea from a former resident to Councillor Stevenson.
Another tribute is the veteran crosswalk in the City Centre, located just west of the Legion. The crosswalk was created after residents requested a permanent marker of respect for those who served, and it has since become a visible reminder of the sacrifices made.
Heritage also lives in records. The City successfully supported the move of the community archives from an aging trailer on the Agricultural Society grounds to a secure, larger space in the City Centre Library. Along with the new location, work is underway to digitize the archives, ensuring Spruce Grove’s history is preserved and accessible for generations to come.
“These projects honour the past while making sure it’s never forgotten,” Stevenson says. “Heritage is part of our community identity.”
IMPROVE: Recognizing History in Names
Spruce Grove’s heritage is also reflected in its place names. Over the past term, Council developed a Commemorative Naming of Assets policy, which provides guidance for naming or renaming city assets such as streets and buildings.
“Names carry meaning,” Stevenson explains. “They tell the story of who lived here—Indigenous peoples, early settlers, and the families who helped build this community.”
One example Stevenson suggests renaming is Boundary Road, currently under construction with few residences or buildings yet on the road. “Renaming it now makes sense before it is fully built out,” she says. “It’s an opportunity to choose a name that better reflects our history and values.”
NEXT: Sharing Spruce Grove’s Story
With the archives now in a functional and secure space, Stevenson believes the time has come to share Spruce Grove’s story more broadly.
“Our city turns 40 as an incorporated city on March 1, 2026,” she says. “How much do we really know about the past 40 years—or even the past 100? So much has changed, but the people and events that made Spruce Grove what it is today remain part of our story.”
Looking ahead, Stevenson sees the 40th anniversary as a chance to celebrate heritage in creative ways—through events, exhibits, and community storytelling. “Heritage connects us to each other,” she says. “By honouring it, we strengthen our sense of belonging.”
Share your thoughts with Erin and connect with her on social media and don't forget to use the hashtag #IHeartSG. Show Erin support in her re-election campaign by requesting a lawn sign (request form is at the bottom of every webpage).
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