Major City Projects Planned and Proposed

 Red Deer Plans
  Strategy for
  City of 300,000

 
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 Future Growth


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 



 

 
Unexpected growth results in several major construction projects in Red Deer over the next 10 years.
-- municipal, educational, historic, open space

Expansion of Red Deer College
The first phase of a $110 million Building Communities Through Learning complex, representing the largest expansion of Red Deer College since the College began in 1964, has started construction and is expected to be completed in 2008. It comprises of the Centre for Trades and Technology, the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing, the Centre for Business Enterprise and the Centre for Visual Arts. The second phase will add the Centre for Regional Sport and Fitness and the Centre for Health Education and is expected to be completed by 2010. Future additions could include a new on-campus health clinic and possibly a jointly developed art gallery-museum with the City. Once completed, there will be an increase in student enrolment over the next 5 years from the current 6,500 to 10,000.
 
Relocation of the Civic Yards
One of the biggest projects that the City has undertaken is a projected $115 million relocation of the civic yards (including Public Works, Transit, Electric Light and Power, Parks) freeing up prime downtown and riverside property. To stay where they are, the civic properties would need costly major upgrades and there is no room for expansion. The new site is located in the Riverside Heavy Industrial Park next to Three Mile Bend. The project was approved in the 5-year capital budget passed in December 2006.
 
12-Storey Office Building Downtown
A $28 million, 12-storey office building called Executive Place is under construction at the corner of Ross St. and 49 Ave. in downtown Red Deer on the site of the former CIBC branch. It may be ready for occupancy by the spring of 2009. The 7,100 sq. ft. main floor will contain office space, the second floor a combination of commercial and office space. Total leaseable space will be about 100,000 sq. ft.
 
Historic Michener Landmark Restoration
The 93-year-old Michener administration building, located on the east hill of Red Deer and badly burned when struck by lightning in June 2003, will be restored to its historic condition as a result of its purchase by the David Thompson Health Region, a $4.3 million contribution from the province and a $3.6 million fire insurance settlement. The $11.3 million restoration of the four storey building will include a 14,000 square foot addition and verandas that were originally part of the building and will be used for administrative offices for as many as 170 staff.  The stately red brick structure was built at the crest of the hill in 1912 overlooking the town of Red Deer in the river valley below. It was used for Alberta's first women's college, then a hospital for World War I soldiers before becoming the cornerstone of the Michener Centre, an institution for the mentally disabled.
 
East Hill - Timberlands Development Plan
Careful planning should result in balanced growth between residential, commercial and natural areas outlined in the East Hill Area Structure Plan for the east side of Red Deer. A 143-acre town centre commercial area featuring pedestrian-friendly shopping, two high schools, a major recreational centre, residential development and preservation of natural areas are all included in the 20-25 year plan. Most of the area was annexed from the County in 2005. The first phase is the Timberlands development around the intersection of 30 Ave. and 67 St. expected to start construction in 2008.
 
Future Ring Road Includes New River Bridge
As 20th Avenue develops as part of the East Hill Structure Plan over the next 10 to 20 years, it will eventually become an expressway ring road connecting Highway 2 on the west, Highway 11A in the north (with a new bridge across the river), and McKenzie Road on the south. The $50 million Northlands Drive river bridge and road extension is expected to be built within the next 5 years.
 
20-Year Plan for Waskasoo Park Renewal
The Special Gathering Places Master Plan has been revealed outlining a 20-year plan for Waskasoo Park. Recommendations, to cost about $18.5 million, include two new river-spanning foot bridges, a new Bower Ponds spray park, a canoe-kayak circuit at Three Mile Bend and a new $1.9 million ecological interpretive centre. Almost half the cost of the proposal is for the pedestrian bridges across the river.
 
New Police Building for 2009
Construction of a $23 million RCMP building, to be located on 45 St. near 51 Ave., is expected to start in the spring of 2008 and be open in the fall of 2009. The new facility will be close to major traffic arteries, the fire hall and downtown's party strip. It will replace the aging and overcrowded detachment across from the Red Deer Public Library that was built in 1967. A $8 million satellite police station is being added to the fire hall on 67 St.
 
The Riverlands Redevelopment Project
As the relocation of the civic yards progresses over the next five years, the area that is currently called Cronquist Business Park, primarily light industrial with some commercial and residential, will transform into a dynamic cultural, entertainment, mixed-use community connecting the downtown with the Waskasoo Park system. The anticipated focal point of the redevelopment would be a cultural community centre with a new pedestrian bridge across the river. A tourist-oriented canal system has been proposed for the area.
 
City Hall Expansion
A concept design for the expansion of city hall is currently underway to address the need for a larger facility. A few departments have been forced to move to leased space downtown during the past year. Engineers believe 2 storeys could be added to the building. Other options include expanding into the park area or into the RCMP building across the street once a new police building is completed. Council had approved $31 million in the 2007 capital budget for the project but due to the many other projects currently under way, the project has been postponed for a couple of years.

Arts-Heritage-History Centre
Put on the back burner for now, the most ambitious and imaginative future project is a proposed $46 million arts-heritage-history centre which could include a new museum, archives, art gallery, classrooms, display area and other features. Red Deer Public Library and Red Deer College are considering involvement. In the short term, a stand-alone archives building may be constructed to meet the immediate need of a climate-controlled facility. City council will discuss the matter at a later date. Future possibilities include a facility in the old RCMP building, in Riverlands or near the current museum.

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