The Municipality is interested in helping the Anglican and United Churches rebuild from the 2024 wildfire.

During Jasper Municipal Council’s committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday (January 13, 2026), council directed administration to develop a memorandum of understanding with the churches.

“At this stage, the request for decision is simply to explore what partnership could look like and document it,” said Beth Sanders, director of urban design and standards.

Both churches are interested in a joint rebuild that could include a multi-faith worship space, multi-purpose community space, community offices, retail space and some form of affordable housing. Interim housing is currently located at the United Church lot.

The Anglican Diocese of Edmonton and the United Church of Canada have contributed funds to retain Another Way Consulting and SAS Architecture.

Anna Bubel, principal consultant for Another Way, wrote to council last month that the congregations were interested in partnering with the Municipality.

“Given that there may be common interest in a number of the same community-serving functions, the congregations would like to explore what types of partnerships might be possible between the Municipality and the churches to advance development on the sites,” Bubel wrote.

Sanders explained to council that the memorandum would identify shared principles, values and objectives while outlining roles and responsibilities of each party and identifying resources each party can contribute.

The memorandum would also establish how to approach early-stage development costs such as for technical work. Additionally it will look at preliminary financial and risk considerations and identify next steps.

The proposed memorandum would be brought back to council for review. Any legal agreements, land commitments or financial arrangements would come at a later date for council approval.

Mayor Richard Ireland suggested other parties, such as the Alberta government and the Jasper Seniors Society, may want to be included in the memorandum.

Connaught housing project update

Construction remains on schedule for the $21-million Connaught affordable housing project, according to administration’s latest report.

Scott Builders began site preparation and construction late last summer. All grade beams and the north foundation wall have been poured and cured, and the remaining foundation components are now in the curing phase.

“Overall, the Connaught project continues to progress as planned,” said Leanne Pelletier, municipal housing manager. “Administration will report back to council should any material changes arise.”

Prefabricated walls are scheduled to start arriving on Jan. 29. The overall project is scheduled for completion by January 1, 2027.

A livestream of the construction progress can now be viewed online.

The project aims to provide new below-market housing units to address Jasper’s chronic housing shortage, which has been exacerbated by the wildfire. This is the first residential development project undertaken by the Jasper Municipal Housing Corporation (JMHC).

The building will consist of 40 units, specifically 16 one-bedroom, one bath units; eight one-bedroom, one bath, fully accessible units; and 16 two-bedroom, 1.5-bath units. Amenities include balconies, laundry facilities, storage lockers and parking.

Rent will be set below median market rates, as required by grant and land lease agreements, at various levels of affordability from 60 to 90 per cent of median market rates. Applicants must meet eligibility and residency requirements.

The tenant application procedure will be finalized closer to occupancy.

Urban design department

Council will reexamine the budget for the Urban Design and Standards department to evaluate the financial viability of the new department.

The department is meant to take over permitting and other similar duties from Parks Canada, but some are concerned about the cost.

Coun. Laurie Rodger, who brought up the matter, said although provincial recovery funding will provide a stopgap, he questioned what the rental and permit revenue would look like going forward and wanted to see the historical basis for projected revenue assumptions.

“Otherwise, what’s going to happen here is that this department is going to go ahead and build up without knowing—or at least without us knowing—if it’s financially viable or not,” he said.

Administration will return with a report on March 10.

Peter Shokeir // info@thejasperlocal.com