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The
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Synopses and Snippets of
Red Deer Regional News
that would be
of interest to residents and visitors, with focus on business, municipal
and community development as well as heritage, culture, attractions,
transportation, recreation and parks, from a variety of resources
including local media, news releases and personal knowledge.
June 6, 2009
Historic RCMP Station Opens in Hobbema
Canada's first RCMP station designed, built and funded by a First
Nations community was opened yesterday in Hobbema. The 13,100 sq. ft.
building represents a modern fulfillment of an historic Treaty 6 promise
to provide policing and protection for the four nations of the Maskwacis
community -- Samson, Ermineskin, Louis Bull and Montana. The new
detachment building will house 55 officers and 6 support staff.
June 5, 2009
Former Downtown Hotel to Get Two More
Storeys
The former Rancher's Valley Inn in downtown Red Deer has recently been
purchased by Potter's Hands in order to provide affordable housing
suites. The new owners plan to add two storeys to the building which
would bring the number of available suites to 70-85 from the current 26.
The $5 million project will take a year and a half to complete and
includes renovating the outside of the former hotel. The former bar and
liquor store have been closed and will become retail space. The
restaurant will remain open. The Valley is the last of four hotels that
once existed downtown originally built to serve customers of the
railroad. Potter's Hands purchased the Buffalo Hotel for the Housing
First project, the Windsor Hotel burned down a number of years ago and
the Arlington Inn was recently demolished by the city.
June 4, 2009
Regional Wastewater Route Determined for
City
Red Deer city council has approved the location of the new south
regional sewer line to go along the right-of-way of the future 20 Avenue
and Northland Drive with construction expected in 2010 and 2011. In the
meantime, some of Innisfail's wastewater will be added to the existing
Waskasoo regional trunk that runs along 30 Avenue with construction of
the line between Innisfail and Penhold to commence this year. The line
will extend to Bowden and Olds in the next few years.
June 3, 2009
Local Chamber Policies Adopted by Alberta
Group
At the annual gathering of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce being held
in Grande Prairie this year, the president of the Red Deer business
group presented two policy resolutions that were both adopted. One urges
the province to consider cyclists, pedestrians and transit when planning
and developing highways in urban areas. The other seeks government
action against country of origin labelling requirements in the United
States as it increases costs without addressing food safety. The Red
Deer Chamber also co-sponsored four other resolutions that originated
with other chambers.
Lakefront Prices Ease in Sylvan Lake But
Still High
A Re/Max report released yesterday indicates that lakefront property
prices in Sylvan Lake have declined but are still the third-highest
among the more than 50 resort areas in the country. Only Vernon and Lake
Windermere, B.C. were higher with lake properties in both communities
valued at $1.2 million. The starting price for a 3-bedroom winterized
home on a standard-sized lot in Sylvan Lake is estimated at $1.125
million, compared to $1.25 million in 2008, $1 million in 2007 and $0.8
million in 2006.
June 2, 2009
City Council Supports Ring Road
Expressway Plan
Red Deer city council has unanimously thrown its support behind a 6-lane
expressway along the east side of the city at 20 Avenue south to
McKenzie Road. It is to be built as part of a ring road in stages over
the next 30 years. Proposed as far back as 1996, the most recent study
suggests that 20 Avenue be built initially as a 2-lane road in 2018 at a
population of 115,000. It would then be upgraded first to a 4-lane road
and then a 6-lane when the population reaches 188,000. In the meantime,
the Northland Drive Highway Connector will be the first phase of the
project set to begin next year and open in 2012. At a projected cost of
$128,000 million, it will include a bridge across the river and link up
with 30 Avenue at 67 Street.
City
Single Family Housing Permits Improve
The number of single family housing
permits in Red Deer during May modestly rose to 32 at a value of $4
million from the 27 issues a year earlier at a value of $2.9 million.
Overall, residential permits were down slightly at a total value of $6.4
million compared to $8.8 million in May 2008. Total permit value in all
categories stood at $10.2 million compared to $11.9 million for the same
month a year earlier. Commercial and industrial permits were down from
last year but public projects were up substantially. The largest permit
was $2.2 million for an addition and renovations to Aspen Heights
School.
June 1, 2009
Work
to Start Soon on Lacombe Athletic Park
Construction should begin in a couple of weeks on the new $3 million
Lacombe Athletic Park that will include a new fieldhouse, artificial
turf and rubberized running track. Once completed, expected this fall,
the facility will be a showcase for field sports, capable of hosting
provincial tournaments regardless of weather. The athletic park will
replace existing sports fields and the used shipping containers that are
currently being used as makeshift locker rooms. It is estimated that
3,600 people in the town are under the age of 20.
May 30, 2009
Plasco Gasification
Plant to Start This Summer
The project manager for the proposed $90 million Plasco waste-to-energy
gasification plant in Red Deer County met with members of the Central
Waste Management Commission yesterday to assure them that the project is
still on schedule to start construction this summer and be completed
late next year. The 200-tonne-a-day plant is to be built next to the
Horn Hill Waste Transfer site east of Penhold and Highway 2. The nine
municipal members of the commission (the city of Red Deer, Red Deer
County, the towns of Innisfail, Sylvan Lake, Penhold, Bowden and
Blackfalds, and the villages of Delburne and Elnora) will provide
garbage to the plant, the first commercial venture of its kind.
New Hotel to be Built at Blackfalds
Construction on a 72-room nationally-branded hotel is expected to get
underway in Blackfalds this August. The estimated $7.5 million facility,
to be built on the east side of Highway 2A, will include a swimming
pool, hot tub and exercise room. The project, set for completion next
year, will likely attract additional businesses in the vicinity such as
a convenience store and restaurant.
May 29, 2009
Major Projects Boost Building Activity in
Innisfail
Two multi-million dollar projects in Innisfail will dramatically
increase the value of building permits in the town. A $9 million new
library and civic centre will move forward as a result of last week's
announcement of a $6 million grant from the Canada-Alberta Building
Canada Fund. In addition, Central Alberta Co-op is proceeding with a
$6.4 million, 32,000 sq. ft. Home and Agro Centre, doubling its
operations of its two existing buildings.
Lacombe Athletic Park Gets County Cash
Lacombe County is providing up to $100,000 in cash and $300,000 in
construction help for the proposed $2.8 million Lacombe Athletic Park
next to Lacombe Composite High School. The new facility would include an
artificial turf sports field for football, soccer, rugby, lacrosse and
track and field. There would also be a fieldhouse with dressing rooms,
observation tower, concession booth and storage space.
May 28, 2009
Proposed Sylvan Lake Marina Expansion
Modified
As part of Sylvan Lake's Waterfront Redevelopment Plan adopted by town
council in 2008, it was suggested that a 200-slip expansion of the
current 180-slip marina be included in the plan. The town is now
conducting a feasibility study for a 140-slip expansion next to the
existing facility. The plan would include a breakwater on the west side
of the proposed marina. A private-public agreement would likely be
required to proceed with the proposal. The marina is owned by Medican, a
company that has built a number of condominium properties in the town
and region.
May 26, 2009
River Watershed
Showing Signs of Stress
The Red Deer River Watershed Alliance presented its State of the
Watershed Report to the public yesterday. The report states that the
river system, including its sub-watersheds, is under stress as a result
of agricultural practices, oil and gas activity, shoreline development
and loss of vegetation and wetland. Of the 15 sub-watersheds, five were
given a poor rating -- the Blindman, Medicine, Buffalo, Kneehill and
Michichi. Lower water quality is attributed to loss of native
vegetation, road development, oil and gas activity and increased surface
water nutrient level contamination from fertilizer, manure and sewage.
Two sub-watersheds, on the extreme east and west end of the system, were
given good grades. The remainder were in the middle, including the
Waskasoo, Raven, James, Little Red Deer, Three Hills and Rosebud. Some
sub-watersheds, including the Waskasoo, are lacking significant data.
Both the city of Red Deer and Red Deer County were commended for their
increasing efforts to protect the watershed but much more needs to be
done. The plan for a regional wastewater system was also lauded. The Red
Deer River watershed forms the largest sub-basin of the South
Saskatchewan River basin and is the only river in southern Alberta that
is still available for new water licenses.
Westerner Days is Good for City Economy
A study, commissioned by the Canadian Association of Fairs and
Exhibitions, concludes that the annual 5-day Westerner Days Fair and
Exposition will have a gross economic impact of more than $7.3 million
this year. The study indicates that about $5 million will be spent by
non-local attendees, including $3 million on attractions and concessions
at the fairgrounds and another $1.5 million off-site. Another finding of
the study was that 43% of the more than 90,000 people who attended last
July came from outside the Red Deer area.
Historic Downtown Arlington Inn
Demolished
After several months of controversy and in spite of a petition to save
it, the 110-year-old Arlington Inn in downtown Red Deer across from the
historical railway station was demolished yesterday. In its heyday, the
hotel was considered the city's finest but has deteriorated in recent
years. The City of Red Deer bought the hotel last fall as part of a
strategy to revitalize the downtown and provide a gateway to the future
development of Riverlands west of the downtown. A number of artifacts
from the hotel were previously removed. Until a developer comes forward
with a satisfactory proposal to build on the very prominent corner site,
the property will be used as a parking lot. The cost of purchase and
demolition is around $1.5 million.
May 25, 2009
Sundre Rallies for Red Deer River
Diversion
Hundreds of people from Sundre and area as well as other parts of the
province marched through the town Sunday afternoon in an effort to bring
attention to the need for a permit to divert the Red Deer River back to
a previous channel before another flood seriously damages the town. Save
Our Sundre (SOS) who organized the rally, is a group that is lobbying
the federal and provincial governments to get the needed permission
before work can be done. Since the flood of 2005 when the river
dramatically changed its course, the river has moved closer to the town
each year raising fears that the next flood will devastate the town.
Entertainment for Westerner Days
Announced
This year's Westerner Days, set for July 15 to 19, promises to be even
more family and environmentally friendly than in previous years. This
year, the theme of the event is 'Celebrate the Kid in You' and the
Harvest Centre will feature Kiddie Land and other family-oriented
activities. Several energy-saving initiatives including wind power will
decrease the environmental impact of the event. Concerts this year will
include performances by The Trews, Gord Bamford and George Canyon, The
Stampeders and Aaron Pritchett. Another feature is the African Acrobats.
The parade will start at 9:30 am July 15. Last year's Westerner Days
attracted over 90,000 people and this year's event is expected to
generate about $5 million to the local economy from visitors to the
city.
May 23, 2009
Four Recipients for Annual Heritage
Awards
The Red Deer Heritage Preservation Committee announced yesterday the
four winners of the 8th annual Heritage Recognition Awards. The David
Thompson Health Region (now part of Alberta Health Services) received
the award for the reconstruction and restoration of the historic
Michener Centre administration building severely damaged in a 2003 fire
and now used as the health region's administrative centre. Sunnybrook
Farm Museum received the award for its many year-round programs,
displays, special events and tours. Harlan Hulleman received the award
for his involvement in many historic projects including the book 'The
Little Village That Grew', a walking tour of North Red Deer, the
restoration of the North Cottage School and the Alberta Central Railway
bridge pier mural along Taylor Drive. The Red Deer Main Street Project
received the award for the restoration and enhancement of several
historic downtown buildings between 2000 and 2007 as well as marketing
and economic development projects.
Downtown Affordable Housing Project Opens
The historic Buffalo Hotel in downtown Red Deer has been converted to an
affordable living option for people who would otherwise be homeless.
Yesterday's official opening was emceed by the city's mayor Morris
Flewwelling who has been a major promoter of ending homelessness. The
former hotel's 40 rooms have been converted to small suites and
residents have access to laundry services, clean showers and full-time
staff. The former tavern has become a place of worship and the cafe
still serves fresh coffee and hot meals. The project resulted from a
joint effort from a variety of groups including the city, Potter's
Hands, Canadian Mental Health Association and Canada Mortgage and
Housing.
May 22, 2009
Several Regional Projects Get
Stimulus Funding
Stimulus funding from the federal and provincial governments were
announced yesterday in Penhold for several projects in Central Alberta
as part of a $300 million program for communities with a population
under 100,000 across the province. Penhold will receive funding for
Phase II of the Multiplex project, Innisfail for a regional library and
the Metis community near Buffalo lake for a museum. Water and wastewater
projects in Eckville, Rimbey, Sundre, Sylvan Lake, Stettler County and
Red Deer County will receive funding. In addition, road projects in
Ponoka, Three Hills and Stettler County will get funding. Specific
amounts were not announced. Aside from the stimulus effect, the funding
is aimed at providing jobs and helping communities catch up with
infrastructure from the high growth experienced in recent years. As a
bonus, current construction and materials costs are down as much as 40%
from a year ago.
City Civic Yard Complex Officially Opens
Red Deer officials and staff celebrated the official opening of the new
massive 70-acre, 9-building civic yards yesterday in the Riverside Heavy
Industrial Park in the north central part of the city. Construction
started in 2007 on the $118 million project and close to 500 employees
from Public Works, Electric Light and Power, Environmental Services,
Transit and part of the Recreation, Parks and Culture departments moved
in this spring. The new site includes many environmentally-friendly
features including harvesting rain water, solar panels, recycled power
poles and lots of green space.
Red Deer College New Enrolments Increase
First-year applications for fall programs at Red Deer College are up
15.6% this year at 4,270 compared to 3,693 enrolments last year. The
changing economy is considered the primary reason for the increase.
Although applications are up for virtually all programs, the most
popular are the university and university transfer programs including
Bachelor of Science Nursing, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education.
The new computer information systems diploma is also quite popular.
Country Drive Expands to Four Tour Dates
The annual Country Drive, started in 2005 as one self-guided weekend
tour of attractions, farms and rural businesses mostly in Red Deer
County, is expanding this year to include more businesses across a wider
area and four seasonal dates. The spring tour is set for May 30 & 31
with 17 sites, the summer tour August 1 & 2 with 22 sites, the fall tour
October 10 & 11 with 11 sites and a Christmas tour December 5 & 6 with 9
sites.
May 21, 2009
Children's Festival Gets Federal Grant
The Central Alberta Children's Festival has received a $22,000 grant
from the federal government through the Building Communities through
Arts and Heritage program. The value of festival costs is about $160,000
and is made possible by donations of volunteer time as well as funding
from local organizations, local businesses and other grants. The 3rd
annual festival this year runs June 5 and 6 near the downtown Recreation
Centre with a wide range of activities for the young and young-at-heart.
Housing Sales Show
Signs of Improvement
Home sales in Central Alberta climbed to their highest level since last
fall in April, with 178 MLS sales in the city and 163 in the surrounding
region. Although lower than the same month in 2008, the over-year
difference has narrowed considerably. Last month's residential sales
increased 17% over March. With seasonally adjusted increases of 16% in
January, 10% in February and 2.5% in March, total gains since December
have been 28%. The number of active listings declined 13% bringing more
stability to supply and demand. The median price of MLS residential
properties sold in the region in April was $263,000, compared to
$260,000 in March and $284,000 in April 2008.
Continental Group Wowed by Westerner
Facility
Red Deer is currently playing host to the North American Farm Show
Council's annual general meeting, with representatives from many of the
association's 25 farm show members. Members were very impressed with
Westerner Park's facilities during their tour yesterday. Westerner Park
has been home to the annual Agri-Trade Farm Equipment Exposition for the
past 25 years. The group's AGM was last held in Red Deer eleven years
ago and they were particularly impressed with how much the facility has
expanded. Founder and manager of Agri-Trade, Pat Kennedy, is
past-president of the council and was instrumental in having the meeting
in Red Deer this year.
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