An interim steering committee was formed in the spring of 2013. They met with various stakeholders including representatives from Sturgeon Hospital, Alberta Health Services, City of St. Albert, and medical experts. They quickly identified that there was a real need for hospice care in this community, particularly as the Edmonton zone in general had significantly lower numbers of palliative spaces per capita than other areas such as the Calgary region. 

In October, a town hall drew over 75 people interested in learning more about bringing this project to fruition, and in November 2013 a formal steering committee was established and the St. Albert and Sturgeon Hospice Association (SASHA) held its first meeting. Shortly thereafter SASHA adopted as its mission: “To establish a space for enhanced compassionate end-of-life care for community members and their loved ones”.