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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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