Edmonton, AB – Edmonton’s Bremner community has reached a key milestone as topsoil stripping begins, marking the first visible stage in transforming years of planning into construction. The process signals that Strathcona County’s next urban growth area is now moving into action.

Reanna Rehman, Director, Development and Acquisitions, Qualico Communities Edmonton, said the milestone represents both progress and partnership.

“The start of topsoil stripping is a significant moment,” said Reanna. “It shows the shift from planning to physical construction and validates years of coordinated work between Strathcona County, developers, planners, and community partners.”

A vision that adapts

When Bremner was first conceptualized, the vision was ambitious, one of Canada’s first communities powered entirely by hydrogen. As planning advanced, the team, which also includes joint venture partner ATCO, recognized that regulatory frameworks for hydrogen energy were not yet ready to support large-scale residential use.

Rather than pause the project, the team took a flexible approach to ensure Bremner can evolve alongside emerging sustainable technologies.

“Our approach now can be summed up as ‘ready when you are,’” said Reanna. “The community has the flexibility to adopt new sustainable technologies as they become viable, ensuring Bremner remains at the forefront of innovation.”

Honouring a local legacy

The first neighbourhood will be called Fields of Evans, named in honour of Iris Evans, former MLA, Reeve of Strathcona County, and lifelong community advocate.

“The name recognizes her dedication to building strong, connected communities, and her decades of service to Strathcona County,” Reanna said.

Evans’s leadership in local and provincial government helped shape the region’s growth, and the new community’s name reflects the same spirit of collaboration and civic pride that defines Bremner’s development.

Following the completion of topsoil stripping, crews will advance to site grading and begin installing major infrastructure, including water mains, sewer systems, stormwater management, and roadways. A formal groundbreaking ceremony is expected in spring 2026 to kick off the remaining construction of the initial phases, along with all offsite infrastructure, which will support the release of builder lots in late 2026 and prepare for the first residents in 2027.

A framework for growth

Bremner’s planning framework rests on three principles: green spaces, connection, and diverse features:

• Green spaces focus on preserving natural features, open spaces, and sustainable design.
• Connection highlights multi-modal transportation, linking residents to nearby employment and services through roads, trails, and transit routes.
• Diverse features envision a mix of housing types, commercial spaces, and community amenities that support residents at every stage of life.

These principles guide each phase of planning and construction, ensuring Bremner’s growth aligns with the County’s long-term development vision.

Collaboration with Strathcona County

Partnership with Strathcona County continues to be a defining feature of Bremner’s progress. The County’s adoption of the Area Concept Plan (2019) and Area Structure Plans (2021) laid the foundation for development.

County staff and Qualico Communities continue to work together on servicing plans, transportation networks, and environmental standards to ensure the project proceeds efficiently and responsibly.

“Collaboration has been essential at every step,” said Reanna. “Approvals take time, but that patience and coordination ultimately lead to stronger, smarter, communities.”

As the groundwork becomes evident, the most exciting transformation is seeing years of vision and preparation come to life, shaping a connected, resilient, and forward-thinking community that sets a new benchmark for sustainable growth in the region.

Looking forward

Once complete, Bremner will span more than 5,000 acres, with capacity for 85,000 residents and 9,800 local jobs. It will include four village centres, a town centre, and a business park, making it one of the region’s largest planned communities.

Kraig Radtke, Vice-President, Qualico Communities Edmonton, said this stage is especially meaningful for everyone involved.

“This is a significant milestone where years of planning, collaboration, and patience are now visible on the ground,” said Kraig. “Bremner has been designed as a complete and connected community that can adapt as needs, technologies, and ways of living evolve.”