Mayor Clayton reflects on 2025

She says our growing city really needed a push for more development.

“We had over $160 million in permits, indicating the highest housing starts in our city in five years. With year-to-date starts it’s nearly double of 2024’s.”

Clayton says residents were unhappy with Grande Prairie’s vacancy rate near zero, making it very hard to move into the community, and with very limited options of short-term or long-term rentals.

“We know that multi-family and secondary suites had over 800 doors added to the community, some aren’t complete yet and are in the works, so that’ll provide a significant increase in availability.”

She notes there are new constructions happening in nearly every corner of the city thanks to significant investments in housing, especially multi-family, in 2025.

Investing in Community Priorities

Clayton says the multi-sports dome in Trader Ridge coming to fruition this year is a big highlight and addition to having facilities that can be used year-round.

The FIFA-sized indoor field is said to be able to host an array of different sports, with a track, and the opportunity to host larger scale sporting events and tournaments.

“It really supports healthy activity for all ages, all year round, and it strengthens the sports tourism sector of our economy.”

She says the new dome will attract provincial and national level competition. It is due to open in the Summer of 2026.

Community Events and Connection

Strengthening and bringing the community together is what Clayton says Grande Prairie is doing a great job at, particularly with major events in the city in 2025.

A couple of examples of large events Clayton mentioned were: the Grande North Winter Festival, Experience GP, Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games, Bear Creek Folk Festival and Grande Prairie Stompede.

However, smaller events focusing on families were highlighted; like a dive-in movie night at the Aquatera Outdoor Pool.

Grande Prairie Police Service

Significant steps towards the Grande Prairie Police Service taking over for city RCMP were made in this calendar year.

Clayton says several community members have made it known over the past year that public safety is a number one priority.

The first fully GPPS staffed shift was deployed by RCMP in December.

She says the hiring process is going very well.

“We have more than 50 sworn-in officers and there will be another 10 new recruits graduating in March, which will put us at just over 60. Which will have us at more than halfway to the full complement.”

She says local policing is a very community involved process, including oversight, accountability, and solutions.

“Individuals can go to a meeting of the police commission and share concerns, and that service can pivot to our unique community needs.”

Healthcare

Mayor Clayton pointed to many key advances for healthcare in Grande Prairie and northwestern Alberta this year.

The launch of the Northern Alberta Medical Program in the fall helped with council’s priority of attraction and retention of medical professionals in the region. Also, the City worked with Alberta Health Services with their Healthcare Strategy.

Clayton says more than 30 specialists moved to the city this year opening offices or working out of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital.

“We also worked a lot on appreciation and retention, helping integrate their (healthcare professionals) families into our community and through an ambassador program. When the healthcare professionals need support or need to know where to find things, the community-led ambassador program is a team that can support them.”

She says these healthcare professionals were also invited to many community events to help integrate them into the community and thank them for the work they do.

Another major point Clayton wanted to share was the groundbreaking for the Maskwa Medical Centre, set to be built right beside the GPRH.

She says this facility will be a pillar of the healthcare community in the north.

Looking in 2026

Clayton says she looks forward to serving another term as mayor, as well as more community-engagement.

“Input on budget and community needs, having community groups come to council and sharing concerns and finding solutions.”

“We know Grande Prairie is a community where you can raise a family, invest in business, and genuinely is a unique community that has a bit of grit with such hardworking members and I am very glad to call Grande Prairie home.”

Clayton says she is excited to see what 2026 has in store, with conversations on how to strengthen a great place to live, work, and play.

by Erika Rolling