Sparwood saw several positive developments in 2025 and has much to look forward to in 2026, including new housing, company moves and approval for a new wastewater treatment plant.
Sparwood Mayor David Wilks said construction has begun on a second affordable housing unit at Timbers Landing.
“We’ve had the start of our second affordable housing unit for Timbers Landing. It’s run by Elk Valley Family Society, and the second of hopefully four apartment blocks being rebuilt.” said Wilks.
Mayor Wilks explains how Elk Valley Resources is moving into their huge administrative building that will house 580 employees, which will open up the space they’ve been using.
“That will free up Mountain View School that they’ve been utilizing for the last several years and there is an opportunity for School District 5 to move forward with plans to hopefully reopen a school.” Wilks said.
The most significant project moving forward is Sparwood’s new wastewater treatment plant. Wilks said the district has secured funding for the project and expects construction to begin soon..
“We were able to secure funding for it through borrowing as well as some grants. That will start hopefully in the next month or two and will set us up for the next 50 to 100 years,” said Wilks.
Traffic on Highway 3 remains a concern. Wilks said the municipality continues to work with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on potential safety improvements.
“We’ve been trying to move forward with a traffic light at Sparwood Drive and Highway 3. It’s getting dangerous, really dangerous, not only for emergency personnel but for everybody. We have a disagreement on the amount of traffic coming through Sparwood. It’s their highway, we’re willing to work with them but it can be challenging.” Wilks said.
Wilks said he is also looking forward to continued work with New Dawn Developments on expanding a subdivision known as Westwood.
“They’ve been diligently building fourplexes. They’ve got 15 or 16 of them built or in various stages of being built, some are occupied some aren’t. They are working closely with Elk Valley Resources on providing some form of housing for employees of Elk Valley Resources.” said Wilks.
Between the wastewater treatment plant and new housing, Sparwood has a lot of exciting projects in the works for 2026.
