Since 1881, several generations of the Jackson family have resided on and managed a farm near Edmonton, just north of Highway 16 at Range Road 231.
Now, the family claims the operation and their means of living are in danger due to a county decision to construct a new arena for the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
In February, the council endorsed a deal with the hockey team under which the Crusaders would construct an $86 million four-sheet arena adjacent to the Jackson Homesteaders property.
The county is donating the 17-acre site for the construction. The county would also allocate $990,000 yearly for the operation and maintenance of the facility.
The intention is to build a 2,500-seat facility, and the Jacksons argue that the increased traffic alone will force them out of business.
“We wouldn't be able to continue farming with this farm next to the arena,” Laura Jackson told Global News on Tuesday.
The location for the proposed arena is connected to the south side of the Jackson property, just a few steps from their home and driveway.
Arena visitors would pass directly in front of the Jackson farm to reach the building and leave.
Jackson believes this will make it impossible for them to manage their large crop-carrying semis and tractors, some of which are 18 feet tall and 130 feet long.
“It’s risky for the livestock. It’s risky for our employees. Some of these machines are hard to stop. They’re hard to maneuver,” Jackson said.
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The land allocated for the arena was previously owned by the Jacksons. In 2013, the family claims the county threatened to expropriate it, stating it was needed for a stormwater pond and road improvements.
Two years later, the two parties reached an agreement, and the section of land was sold to the county.
However, in the decade that followed, the county did not develop the land, and no stormwater pond or any upgrades were carried out.
The Jacksons assert they were not contacted by the county about the new plans for the site.
“When the arena announcement came out, we were completely surprised. It took me a couple days to accept that this arena was going to be installed and it would be the end of our farm,” said Jackson.
She says she contacted councillors to invite them to visit the property and witness firsthand the impact the building would have.
While they declined to visit the property, they have attended Crusaders games and met with the team’s executive, she said.
“They appear to be very enthusiastic about this arena. And I don’t feel like they’ve given it enough consideration as to the implications of where this arena is going to be located,” Jackson shared.
A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to allow people to share their thoughts on the proposal.
Jackson believes nearly twenty people will speak against the rezoning change that would effectively approve the project.
“I hope they do listen. It’s all we can hope for.”
The county declined to be interviewed by Global News before the hearing.
If the change in zoning is given the green light, the county and Crusaders aim to have the arena ready for use by September 2026.
