NEWS of the Red Deer Region - December 16-31, 2005

 
News of the Red Deer Region
snippets and summaries of news reports from local media (primarily Red Deer Advocate and Red Deer Express)
December 2005 Part 2

Dec. 31, 2005
Study Suggests a Howse Pass Highway Would Have Economic Benefits
A new study, funded by Clearwater County, Lacombe County, the town of Rocky Mountain House and Alberta Economic Development, suggests that a new highway built through the Rockies would pump more than $210 million into the region's economy over 20 years. The 66 km. Howse Pass Route would join the David Thompson Highway (Highway 11) with Highway 1 near Golden, BC, going through Banff National Park for 34 km. It would reduce the distance from Central Alberta to Vancouver by almost 100 km. and would relieve some of the congestion on the other major routes, Highway 1 and Highway 16. Currently, Parks Canada has a moratorium on any new highways through the National Parks.

Dec. 30, 2005
Sylvan Lake Hotel Construction to Resume
Work on a proposed nine storey hotel could resume next year in Sylvan Lake with occupancy by summer 2007. The project is located at the site of the former Sylvan Lake Hotel at the prime corner of Lakeshore Drive and 50th Street. A restaurant, lounge, private dining area, exercise facilities, business centre, entertainment area and meeting rooms are all contemplated. A former proposed project was halted in 2003 due to some legal problems. The new investors will begin construction as soon as half the units are sold.

Dec. 29, 2005
Mayor Says Managing Growth Biggest Challenge in 2006
Red Deer Mayor Morris Flewwelling predicts that the local economy will grow as much next year as this past year. That's great news for local businesses but the roaring growth presents challenges to the City. Rising building costs, a shortage of skilled labour and finding and servicing industrial land are a few of the issues facing administration and business. The focus will remain to be wise use of taxpayer dollars and maintaining a safe, clean, environmentally responsible community. One of the biggest projects going to Council in June 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. Annexation of County land for industrial expansion, a $90 million project to move several city departments and yards to a new site freeing up prime downtown riverside land and a new police station are just of few of the many projects to be addressed in the new year.
Developer Proposes New City Golf Course and River Bridge
A new 9-hole golf course spanning both sides of the river and a bridge to connect the two parts is being proposed by a Red Deer developer. Norm Chiles hopes all approvals will be completed in 2006 so construction of the bridge can be started in 2007 and the course in operation by 2010. It would be located near River Bend Golf Course and Recreation Area on private land.

Dec. 28, 2005
Prime Commercial Development Gathering Tenants
Taylor Centre, under development at the prime northwest corner of Taylor Drive and 67 St. (Hwy. 11) in Red Deer, is attracting several key tenants. Community Savings is the latest to join A & W Restaurant, Subway, OPA! Souvlaki, Red Deer Co-op and a national coffee chain that have committed to the project. Red Deer Co-op is planning a liquor store, convenience store, gas bar and car wash. There will also likely be a restaurant, pharmacy and medical related businesses. As well as being on a major thoroughfare, it is close to Edgar Industrial Park and established, as well as new, residential areas.
Carbon Dioxide Capture Plants Nearing Completion
Glencoe Resources is developing carbon dioxide capture facilities at the Prentiss and Joffre petrochemical complexes, with the first nearly operational. Both should be operational by the end of January. It has been estimated that the two plants together will prevent the release of about 240,000 tonnes of CO2 per year - equivalent to that produced by about 52,000 passenger cars. The gas will be liquified and piped to mature oil wells in Lacombe and Ponoka Counties and injected underground to stimulate production.

Dec. 27, 2005
Lacombe Memorial Centre Expansion Costly
Plans to triple the size of Lacombe's Memorial Centre, add more services and modern amenities will be re-examined by Town Council in January as a result of skyrocketing costs, now estimated at over $6 million. The upgrade to the 53 year old building and expansion is to include a new public library, several meeting rooms, fireside lounge, commercial kitchen, handicapped accessible washrooms and modern mechanical systems. The project, if approved, could get underway in late February and be finished by mid to late November.

Dec. 24, 2005
Developer Says No Shortage of Industrial Land
A shortage of serviced industrial land in Red Deer is prompting the City to fast-track annexation of County land west of Highway QE2. But land developer Fred Lebedoff says the city is over-reacting to the shortage. He estimates there is at least 3,500 acres of land suitable for industrial development available within 16 km of the City. Much of it has access to services and already zoned industrial or will be soon. 400 acres is available immediately south of the City in addition to land available at Gasoline Alley, Red Deer Regional Airport, Burnt Lake Industrial Park west of the City, Sylvan Lake and Lacombe County. However, the City insists that there is a demand for serviced land at urban standards for water, sewage, roads, lighting, emergency services and other infrastructure.

Dec. 23, 2005
Sylvan Lake Shoreline Developers Appealing Restrictions
Two developers who received approval from Lacombe County Nov. 1 to proceed with developing residential subdivisions along the shoreline of Sylvan Lake now plan to appeal the restrictions placed on that development. The conditions included preservation of a 30 metre municipal reserve along the shore and the development of communal water and sewer systems. Opponents of the development were concerned about the effects on the quality of the lake and public access.

Dec. 22, 2005
City Shocked by County Land Sale Stall
Red Deer city officials are still stunned by the County's decision to delay the sale of land for industrial land the City is eyeing for annexation. The City had an option to purchase 320 acres of the 1,300 acres it planned to annex to get a head start on servicing desperately needed industrial land, located west of Highway 2 and south of Highway 11A. It was hoped that the City and the County could agree to proceed with an uncontested annexation bid early next year. The County wants further discussions with the City before taking a stand on the proposal.
City Council Approves East Hill Area Structure Plan
Careful planning should result in balanced growth between residential, commercial and natural areas outlined in the Area Structure Plan for the east side of Red Deer approved by City Council. 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 last year.

Dec. 21, 2005
Historic Michener Landmark to be Restored by Health Region
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 and 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. The project includes 13.2 acres of land with several aging buildings.
Movie Theatre Complex Planned for Gasoline Alley
A $7.5 million 12-screen movie theatre complex and two restaurants have been proposed for Gasoline Alley Business Park south of Red Deer. Landmark Theatres have received approval from Red Deer County for the 2,283-seat cinema development located close to Highway 2 near Staples and Costco.
County Refuses to Allow Land Purchase by City
In a surprise move, Red Deer County has prevented the purchase of land the City had an option to buy in an area that the City is planning to annex west of Highway 2 and south of Highway 11A. The County maintains the purchase and annexation are not included in the joint Intermunicipal Development Plan developed by the two administrations several years ago. An update of that plan is scheduled for early next year and the County feels an agreement is necessary before the sale can proceed.
Red Deer County Plans Major Capital Projects for 2006
County Council passed first reading of a by-law that would pave the way for $27.8 million in capital projects for the coming year. It includes $9.1 million for upgrading and building roads, close to $1 million for the Springbrook fire hall, several million for upgrading the water and sewer infrastructure in Springbrook and setting up recycle depots in Benalto and Springbrook. A new road is to be built linking Gasoline Alley with Highway 2A. Due to the booming economy and government grants, the projects shouldn't increase the taxes of ratepayers.
Oilfield Service Companies Purchase Former Canada Packers Property
Sanjel Corporation and Leader Energy Services Ltd. have recently purchased the property that was the former Canada Packers plant closed in 1991 located in Riverside Heavy Industrial Park in north Red Deer. Sanjel purchased 17 acres and the 39,000 square foot plant and Leader purchased the other 11 acres. The former plant will be demolished and a new building constructed in the spring for the coil tubing and nitrogen services division.

Dec. 17, 2005
Better Labeling of Anhydrous Ammonia Urged for Rail Cars
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada uses two Red Deer area train derailments as examples of the need to label anhydrous ammonia as a toxic substance on rail cars. On Feb. 2, 2001, a ruptured derailed tank car leaked 71 tonnes of anhydrous ammonia near the Canadian Pacific railyard in Red Deer. About 1,300 residents were evacuated for 37 hours. A man who was in the vicinity of the derailment died as a result of the exposure. On March 4, 2004, an empty derailed tank car leaked a small amount of residue near Springbrook. Anhydrous ammonia is a popular fertilizer that is injected into the soil and is used in industrial production. It's an extemely toxic vapour that irritates the eyes and skin. Government regulations will likely be amended to reclassify it as toxic by next fall. Currently, it is only labelled as a compressed gas.
43 Derailments in Central Alberta in 10 Years
Since January 1996, there were 43 train derailments on Canadian Pacific and Canadian National rail lines within a 40 km radius of Red Deer, 19 involving dangerous goods -- 7 in 2000, 3 in both 2001 and 1999, and 1 in 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1998, 1997. Only the one on Feb. 2, 2001 caused injury or death. CPR runs between 12 and 15 trains per day between Calgary and Edmonton through Red Deer, Innisfail, Olds, Lacombe, Ponoka, Penhold, Bowden, Blackfalds and Springbrook. There are also some local runs from Red Deer to Innisfail, Lacombe, Prentiss and Stettler. CN runs one train in each direction per day between Calgary and Edmonton through Alix, Mirror, Delburne and Trochu. CN also runs a train three times per week between Alix and Rocky Mountain House through Sylvan Lake and near Red Deer as well as local trains to Red Deer and Joffre. The vast majority of shipments occur without incident.
Highway Improvements Coming to Innisfail Area
Better access and driver safety are behind several highway improvements to Highways 2A and 54 in or near Innisfail. Improved left turning lanes will be constructed at the intersection of the two provincial highways. Highway 2A will be extended further south to connect with the new South Innisfail interchange with Highway QE2. Highway 54 will be improved through town and will eventually be rerouted south and west of town from the new overpass. Highway 2A from Innisfail to Penhold is also expected to be upgraded in the near future.

Dec. 16, 2005
Proposed Police College Being Pursued by Six Communities in Region
Of 33 communities across Alberta expressing interest in the provincial proposal to develop a police and peace officer college, six are in the Red Deer region. The contract is expected to be awarded in April with construction to start next fall. Red Deer College is prepared to work with any of the area bidders. Those submitting bids in Central Alberta include Red Deer County at Springbrook, Lacombe with Lacombe County, Penhold, Olds with Mountain View County and Olds College, Stettler with Stettler County, and Rocky Mountain House with Clearwater County.
Blackfalds Attracting Oil Patch Companies
Two buildings are already under construction and another expected to start soon just west of Blackfalds close to Highway QE2. Trailblazer Drilling, Nugget Oilfield Hauling and Andy's Oilfield Hauling are all preparing to move into that area.

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