We held the official grand opening of Three Robins Riverside on Wednesday, July 29, and by one o’clock the lobby was full and stayed that way for most of the afternoon.
People arrived early, so we propped the front doors open and simply left them that way, which turned out to be a fitting way to begin. Neighbours from around St. Albert came, along with families of the people who live here, friends who had heard about the building, and a good number of folks who had driven past on McKenney Avenue and had been curious for a while.
A Lobby with a Piano in it
Anthony Yue played for us on the grand piano in the lobby. He is a student and a genuinely lovely performer, and having live music in that space made the whole afternoon feel less like an event and more like a gathering.
The two-storey lobby carries sound in a very forgiving way. A full room does not become a loud room, so people could stand and talk without raising their voices, which at a party of that size is no small thing.
The Ribbon
Michael Cooper, our Member of Parliament for St. Albert and Sturgeon River, cut the ribbon, with Councillor Ken MacKay serving as deputy mayor, and our general manager Trudy McAuley holding either end.
“This residence helps fill a void in our community in terms of the housing mix,” Mr. Cooper said, going on to talk about St. Albert residents who no longer want to look after a single-family home but would like very much to stay near their friends and their families, in the city they have lived in for years.
Trudy spoke as well, and put it in her own way. “Today is more than opening up a building,” she said. “It is a new chapter. This residence represents community, security, and integrity. It’s a place where residents can enjoy meaningful and fulfilling lives. Someone said, ‘Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and wisdom.’ This residence embraces that spirit.”
A Certificate from the Legislative Assembly
Our MLA for St. Albert, Marie Renaud, was not able to be with us on the day, but she dropped off a certificate from the Legislative Assembly of Alberta congratulating Three Robins Riverside on the occasion of our grand opening. It is a handsome thing, with the provincial coat of arms and a gold seal, and it meant a great deal to the residents to have the community recognized that way.
We were touched that she thought of us.
The Food, which came from the People who Live Here
Everything on the tables that afternoon came from our resident food club. Trays of squares and cookies and a grazing table that did not last long, all of it made in our demonstration kitchen by the people who live here, using ingredients sourced close to home. There was coffee throughout, and there was cake.
More than a few guests asked who does the cooking at Three Robins, and it was a pleasure to point across the room at the answer.
Upstairs, and the View
Most of the tours that afternoon finished on the rooftop patio, looking out over the pond and the neighbourhood beyond it.
The planters up there are tended by our residents through the community garden club, and once guests learned that, the conversation tended to shift. People stopped asking about square footage and started asking what it is like to live here, which is a much better question and one we are always glad to answer.
What People Asked Us About
A good number of the questions that afternoon were about our one-bedroom suites, which people tend to ask for. They suit somebody who wants room to have family over and a proper kitchen to cook in, without keeping up a house they no longer need.
If that describes you or someone you love, this is a good moment to come and look. The building is nearly full now, and the suites we have left are one-bedroom. We are offering two months of free rent for a limited time.
A Word from Somebody Who Lives Here
“A whole year went by, and the whole time, we met three people we could attach to,” he told the St. Albert Gazette. “The rest of the residents had their heads down.” Of Riverside, he said simply: “We just love the people here.”
We could not have written a better line, and we would not try.
Come and See Us on an Ordinary Afternoon
A grand opening is a lovely thing, but it is a planned day, and planned days are not how anyone really lives.
If you would like to see a regular one, our open house runs every Thursday at three o’clock. There is coffee on, there is a dessert the food club has baked that week, and there are people around who are happy to tell you what living here is like. No presentation, no obligation, just an opportunity to experience our community.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Three Robins Riverside grand opening?
Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Michael Cooper, MP for St. Albert and Sturgeon River, cut the ribbon with Councillor Ken MacKay, serving as deputy mayor, and general manager Trudy McAuley.
How many suites does Three Robins Riverside have?
The building has 87 suites, ranging from 634 to 1,387 square feet, one-bedroom, one-bedroom plus den and two-bedroom layouts. Every suite has a full kitchen, in-suite laundry, and a balcony.
Are there suites available at Three Robins Riverside?
The building is nearly full. The suites currently available are one-bedroom, and they include two months of free rent for a limited time.
Where is Three Robins Riverside?
225 McKenney Ave, St. Albert, Alberta, T8N 8E3, in the Riverside neighbourhood, with 145 acres of surrounding forest, parkland and trails, and Riverside Landing next door for shopping and dining.
Can I visit without booking a tour?
Yes. We are open for tours daily from 9 am – 5 pm. An open house runs every Thursday at 3:00 PM, with coffee and a dessert baked that week by the resident food club. Just give us a call and let us know you’re coming.
Who runs Three Robins Riverside?
Trudy McAuley is the general manager, and Valerie Verburgt is the Community Engagement Representative. You can reach the community at 780-405-9464.
