Alberta Businesses Prepare for Potential Impact of Teachers' Strike
Small local businesses in Alberta are bracing for the potential fallout from a possible teachers' strike. The future of educators, children, parents, and these businesses hinges on the outcome of the Alberta teachers’ vote. Many businesses rely heavily on school field trips, particularly in the fall.
Prairie Gardens: Adapting to Uncertainty
Tam Andersen, director of Prairie Gardens in Sturgeon County, north of Edmonton, anticipates significant disruption. "We might expect 5,000 to 10,000 students over the course of the season, so it’s a very big part of our core business," she stated. The farm, which teaches children about food sources and provides a pumpkin for each visitor, is already seeing rescheduled field trips.
At @PrairieGardens north of #yeg – they see 5-10 THOUSAND kids come through each fall. They all learn about where food comes from and take home pumpkins. With a potential teacher’s strike, they’re preparing to pivot, offering homeschooling tours for parents to help kids learn. pic.twitter.com/cz1isTEISE
— Sarah Ryan (@SarahRyanYEG) September 29, 2025
With a potential strike date looming, Andersen is preparing a "plan B" – offering homeschooling farm tours. "We’ll give some coaching to the parents on how to lead their group through the farm. Then all our tour guides, instead of doing individual tours, they’re posted at stations so they can answer your questions," Andersen explained.
Fitset Ninja: Finding Alternative Revenue Streams
Fitset Ninja in Edmonton faces similar challenges. CEO Tim Gourlay explained that many schools are canceling field trips as a precaution. The indoor obstacle course relies on school interactions to drive memberships. "It’s not ideal, that’s for sure. 30 to 35 per cent of our revenue is school field trips and mobile obstacle courses to schools."
At @FitSetNinja they’re also working on a plan B to field trips that includes day camps. For them, that will be critical in allowing their staff to continue to have full-time work if schools close down. #yeg pic.twitter.com/VsGmxFyNlS
— Sarah Ryan (@SarahRyanYEG) September 29, 2025
To combat potential losses, Fitset Ninja is preparing to offer day camps to ensure their coaches have work. "Just to keep our staff working and hopefully provide some value for parents who don’t have a place to send their kids.”
Birch Bay Ranch: Day Camps as a Solution
Birch Bay Ranch near Sherwood Park is heavily dependent on field trips, which account for 85% of their fall business. Administrator Sharon Fraess is concerned about staffing. "It’s trying to figure out what we can do so we can keep paying these staff, or do we have to lay them off?" They are also planning to offer day camps with meals and flexible drop-off/pickup times.
There’s also @BirchBayRanch – where 85% of their business comes from field trips. If the teachers strike, they’re planning to offer day camps with meals and some flexible pick up/drop off times for up to 60 kids a day. Parents have expressed huge interest already. #yeg pic.twitter.com/EDjTUQubPu
— Sarah Ryan (@SarahRyanYEG) September 29, 2025
Birch Bay aims to accommodate up to 60 children daily in their day camps, offering activities like horseback riding, an aerial course, rock climbing, and archery. Fraess stated, "We’ll be ready to launch tomorrow if the vote is a no."
Hoping for the Best
Ultimately, these entrepreneurs hope their backup plans won't be necessary. Andersen expressed solidarity, stating, "Our hearts are with our students, and our educators, and we want the best for both worlds." The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) president Jason Schilling indicated that the union is open to further negotiations, but a strike remains a possibility.
