Village of Standard had a productive year in 2024, focusing on various community projects and undertaking a 10-year asset management plan.
The Village was awarded three grants to support community projects, including a $15,000 grant from ATCO for a renewable energy feasibility study. Nine community and municipal buildings were assessed to determine energy-saving improvements to help offset its entire electricity usage. The village also completed the planting of shade trees and ornamental shrubs at Centennial Park through the $2,500 Fortis Community Naturalization and Tree Planting grant. The Village also hosted a barbecue at Memory Lane as part of the Alberta Days celebrations through a provincial grant.
Members of the Memory Lane group completed an important project which will provide irrigation to trees along the two kilometre stretch of walking path through the village. They also added ornamental gravel to the Memory Circles monument.
The village has been focusing on asset management, developing a 10-year asset management budget, maintenance and replacement schedule for all assets, including its recreational campgrounds, infrastructure such as water and sewer, roadways and sidewalks, buildings and vehicles.
Another priority has been focusing on improving the quality of life for village residents. In September 2024, the village’s grocery store, Standard Clover Farm, closed; in January 2025, the store reopened with new owner Won Lee at the helm. There is also new management at the local gas station in the village’s industrial park with Green Leaf Fuels operating the cardlock fuel station.
Use of the campground has doubled over the previous year. Two successful baseball tournaments were held in the village’s sports grounds, and the Lions helped support the village library, allowing them to offer free membership to residents and host a full calendar of programs for all ages.
At the start of 2024, the village had a total of nine residential lots for sale and has seen five of these sold. Village council says it is excited to welcome new neighbours to the community.