Sylvan Lake town council was sworn in this week. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

megan hanson

Sylvan Lake’s re-elected mayor says town eyeing new high school, and health care facility upgrades

Oct 31, 2025 | 10:54 AM

Megan Hanson believes she got a fairly good handle on what Sylvan Lakers consider priorities when she was door-knocking during the recent municipal election campaign.

Hanson, re-elected as mayor on Oct. 20, says that experience will allow her to bring some new and exciting ideas to the council table for the start of this new term.

Key among what she heard was a lot about the lakefront, and a significant amount about budgeting, and law enforcement.

“We pretty overwhelmingly heard how residents want us to make sure the lakefront is a clean, welcoming experience for both visitors and Sylvan Lakers. That means addressing some of the challenges we have with garbage, and other things being left behind. It means making sure we all respect the space we all want to come and enjoy,” she explained.

“Last year, we put in some restrictions around tent sizes, while BBQs were done a number of years prior. We also heard suggestions on how perhaps the wording is unclear in the bylaws, and that we need some additional enforcement or additional garbage bins. Just simple solutions that will help make our lakeshore a great place to hang out.”

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Hanson has also heard calls for improvements to sports facilities, as well as greater communication among councillors.

As for what Sylvan has going for it, and the town would like to see continue being positives, Hanson notes volunteerism is strong, while downtown vacancies have dropped substantially over the last two years.

Mayor Megan Hanson. (Supplied)

She also says a new high school is top of the list for Sylvan Lake, as far as what the municipality is working on with the provincial government.

Additionally, Sylvan Lake is hoping to be part of an announcement over the next year that would see its advanced ambulatory care facility upgraded to an urgent care facility.

“Closures there have decreased substantially, and staffing seems to be in a groove. They’ve added nurse practitioners, which has helped, but now we need to be upgraded, and we need a few more services offered there, as well as expanded hours,” she says.

“That’s a conversation we’re well into with the province because our current facility is seeing numbers that rival many of the hospitals in our region. We believe it’s time.”

Hanson added that budget will be a test this year, but believes council is up to the challenge.