NEWS of the Red Deer Region - October 16-31, 2006

 
News of the Red Deer Region
snippets and summaries of news reports from local media (primarily Red Deer Advocate and Red Deer Express).
October 2006 Part 2

Oct. 28, 2006
Over 600 Exhibitors at This Year's Agri-Trade
The biggest ever Agri-Trade will be held Nov. 8-11 at the Red Deer Westerner exhibition grounds with over 600 exhibitors showcasing their products and services. Running at the same time will be AgVantage 2006 forum and a regional conference of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors at the Capri Centre on Nov. 10.
Affordable Housing Project Ready to Open
A 95-suite affordable housing project in Red Deer's Riverside Meadows is now open and about 120 tenants are expected to be moving in over the next few days. The building is already completely booked with 450 applications received. The suites are divided equally between low-income families, seniors, single working people and people with mental illness.

Oct. 27, 2006
Lacombe County Developing Future Vision
Three growth options have been presented to residents of Lacombe County in order for administration to get feedback on which direction to proceed in developing a long-term growth strategy. Each option has different implications for locating commercial and industrial development, types and density of housing, lakeshore and hamlet development and types of uses on agricultural land. The county will consult with neighbouring municipalities to get their views before a new plan is put in place, likely by next June.
Sylvan Lake Recognizes Local Businesses
The Sylvan Lake & District Chamber of Commerce recognized several local businesses for their achievements. Natural Solutions was awarded Overall Business of the Year and Hospitality Business of the Year. Other winners included Sylvan Steam and Spa, Wee Sign, Regency Flooring and Silver Lake Cinema.

Oct. 26, 2006
Lacombe Building Permits Explode Previous Record
Building permits in Lacombe this year at $50 million are already double the previous record set in 2003. The population is also booming, currently estimated at around 11,500, half of whom moved there in the last ten years. Once regarded as a retirement community, Lacombe's average age is now 35.9. Many recent nominees for Business of the Year were relatively new ventures, including Reel to Reel (the winner), Sunny 94 FM and Idea Market.

Oct. 25, 2006
Michener Annex Demolished as Part of Historic Restoration
One addition is being replaced by another as part of the $11.3 million restoration project to turn the fire-ravaged former Michener Centre administration building into the headquarters for the David Thompson Health Region and a replica of the original Alberta Women's College. The annex has been demolished to make way for a 14,000 sq. ft. addition to the back of the building. When completed in the fall of 2008, the total facility will have offices for 150-170 health region staff in almost 40,000 sq. ft. of space.
County Questions City's Plan for Major Commercial Complex
A shopping centre complex, that could become three times the size of Southpointe Common, being planned for the city's east side has been questioned by Red Deer County. According to the County, the plan contravenes the city's own municipal development plan as well as the Intermunicipal Development Plan. Clarification is being requested by the County before the City proceeds with approval of the 30-acre commercial component of the 140-acre McFarland subdivision east of Michener Centre at the corner of 67 St. and 30 Ave. planned for development next year.
Portion of Gasoline Alley Removed from Area Structure Plan
Red Deer County has proceeded to remove the westernmost portion of the South Hills Area Structure Plan that is not included in the Intermunicipal Development Plan from the ASP. The area removed is west of Scott Drive in West Gasoline Alley that is proposed as a residential area called Liberty Crossing. The move eliminates the city's ability to dispute the development under the IDP. Council also rezoned the area to a Direct Control District. A number of plans developed by the County have been stalled due to the city initiating disputes under the IDP.
Residential Subdivision Proposed for Alix
A 225-lot residential subdivision, including some lakefront properties, is being proposed for northwest Alix. The 25 lakefront properties are expected to be built first. Once built out, the subdivision would add 500 residents to the village of 900. Alix is located between Lacombe and Stettler near the Joffre petrochemical complex.

Oct. 24, 2006
270 More Residential Lots Approved in Red Deer
The Red Deer Municipal Planning Commission has approved several more residences in two parts of the city. 156 lots in the final phase of the Lonsdale subdivision in the southeast and 114 lots in the final phase of the Kingsgate subdivision in the north were approved.
Proposed Regional TransCanada Trail Segments Now Registered
Several segments making up 70.6 km of the proposed TransCanada Trail between Penhold and Ponoka, are now officially registered with the national non-profit organization enabling local organizers to apply for funding for the building of the recreational trails. Some trails have already been established in Lacombe and Ponoka. The next segment planned for construction is between Penhold and Springbrook. Red Deer's TransCanada Trail system was previously registered.

Oct. 23, 2006
Greenspace Displays Environmental Initiatives
An open house event on the weekend in downtown Red Deer brought together various environmental groups, companies and individuals who provided displays and demonstrations of how environmental initiatives are being adopted by many Central Albertans as well as those that may be adopted in the future. Funding for Greenspace 2006 was provided by the City of Red Deer, the Community Foundation of Canada and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation.
Blindman River a Bonanza for Fossil Hunters
As many as 45 to 50 ancient species of mammal fossils have been found by professional and amateur paleontologists along the Blindman River north of Red Deer in recent years. The Red Deer area was an inland sea about 100 million years ago. When the water retreated about 60 million years ago, the area became a subtropical swamp where early mammals thrived. Geological factors combined to preserve many of the species as fossils. The Red Deer River valley is well known for many dinosaur fossil discoveries.
Industrial Park Being Developed West of Blackfalds
Several companies are already committed to locate in the new Aspelund Industrial Park being developed in a quarter section just west of Highway QE2 and the town of Blackfalds. Ground work will soon be completed and construction may start before the end of the year. The 127-acre site will have 26 lots ranging in size between 2 and 10 acres.
Lacombe Chamber Rewards Local Businesses
Reel to Reel Cinema was awarded Business of the Year by the Lacombe Chamber of Commerce on Friday. Several other awards were presented including those to Gill Construction, Neighbourhood Place, Marjorie Marshall the Bennett Family.

Oct. 21, 2006
Sylvan Lake and Blackfalds on Track for Record Building Permits
Last year, building permits in the town of Sylvan Lake represented one third of those issued in the 17 towns in Central Alberta. This year, the town is on track to break last year's record, $11 million ahead of last year to date at $66.9 million. Next year could even be better with the recent annexation of seven quarter sections of land and developers eager to get moving. In the meantime, Blackfalds has already broken last year's record with $23.6 million this year to date. The majority of permits for both towns is in residential. In Stettler, although total permits are down from last year, residential permits are on track to match or beat last year's record pace.
Innisfail to Have Historic Plane Mounted for Display
The Innisfail Legion (Branch 104) will soon have a CF-104 fighter jet displayed upright at an angle of 80 degrees on a high mount in front of their building. The project has been a long-standing dream in recognition of the plane having the same number as the branch. The Canadian-built jet was retired by the Canadian Armed Forces in 1987. The particular jet obtained by the Legion was built in 1960 and retired in 1971. It was shipped from Germany to Maine and then to Innisfail.

Oct. 19, 2006
Lacombe Industrial Lots a Bargain
Industrial lots in Lacombe are being sold by the town on a cost recovery basis at less than half the market price in the immediate vicinity of Red Deer in a move to stimulate additional growth. Since Lacombe tends to attract different types of industry than Red Deer, it has not had a major impact on the demand closer to the city. Meanwhile, both Lacombe County and Blackfalds are benefitting from the economic boom and the inability for the city and Red Deer County to sort out their development issues.

Oct. 18, 2006
Residents Want More Detail in City Growth Concept Plan
The second of two open houses and public presentations on a concept plan that gives a very general idea of what Red Deer would look like at a population of 300,000 was held Tuesday. Most of the comments expressed at the meeting asked for more details about where commercial areas and transportation corridors would be located to accommodate that growth. The concept plan will likely go to City Council later in the year, and, if accepted, would form the base for more detailed planning, co-ordination with the County and phasing of annexation.
Construction to Start Soon on New Rimbey Hospital
After several years of planning and waiting for funding from the provincial government, construction is to start soon on the replacement of the 57-year-old Rimbey hospital. The current facility has 20 beds and occupies 20,500 sq. ft. The new modern $18.9 million hospital will be slightly larger and have two more beds.

Oct. 17, 2006
Red Deer Postal Plant Plans Expansion
A multi-million dollar, 11,000 sq. ft. expansion to Canada Post's Red Deer regional distribution plant is being planned for the near future. The project will include upgrading the 25-year-old, 25,000 sq. ft. facility and adding more landscaping.

Oct. 16, 2006
Trans Canada Trail in Central Alberta Closer to Reality
After more than five years in planning, 80 km of proposed rural trails between Penhold and Wetaskiwin are soon to be registered as part of the Trans Canada Trail. Urban trails in Penhold, Blackfalds, Lacombe, Ponoka, Wetaskiwin and Red Deer will be linked as part of a trail spine expected to be completed by 2010. In Red Deer, 29 km of trails have already been registered. Trans Canada Trails and Alberta TrailNet have already committed funding for the trails including design costs for river bridges. The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association recently passed a resolution that the province provide more funding for developing and maintaining trails.
New Springbrook Fire Hall Will Improve Response Time
The new modern $1.02 million, 6,000 sq. ft. Springbrook fire station, officially opened on Saturday, is expected to reduce response time and assist in recruiting volunteer firefighters. The new location is closer to the airport and the main road into Springbrook. The facility includes five truck bays, an RCMP interview room, a training/meeting room and an undeveloped second floor. It replaces the old fire hall built by the military which was about half the size of the new hall and located farther from the airport. The old hall also had problems with heating and mould.
Modernized Sundre School Completed
The River Valley School in Sundre has completed a $9.9 million upgrade which adds 4,500 sq. metres of classroom space. It also includes renovations to another 2,300 sq. metres. A few of the features of the modernization include the gymnasium, library, acoustically designed music area and a weather station. Upgrades to the mechanical, electical and ventilation systems and improved accessibility and parking were also part of the project. More than 730 students attend the kindergarten to Grade 8 school.

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