NEWS of the Red Deer Region - October 1-15, 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 1

Oct. 14, 2006
Sod Turns for Start of Major College Expansion
Start of construction of the expansion to the welder/steamfitter and pipefitter wing on the south side and automotive technician wing on the east side was marked by a sod turning ceremony on Friday. Each expansion will double the number of students in the respective programs and are expected to be finished by next spring. The two projects are part of Component One of a multi-million expansion that will include a new 18,000 sq. metre facility that will house a Centre for Trades and Technology, a Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing, a Centre for Business Enterprise and a Centre for Visual Art. Component One is expected to be completed in 2008. Component Two will include a Centre for Regional Sport and Wellness and a Centre for Health Education, expected to be open in 2010.
Sod Turns for North City Health Centre
A sod turning ceremony was held Friday for the two-storey, 30,000 sq. ft. Johnstone Crossing Community Health Centre. The centre has been designed to resemble an old railway station to suit the neighbourhood's railway theme.
Lacombe County to Present Growth Options
Three options on a 25-year municipal development plan are being presented to county ratepayers toward the end of the month. Each of the options present different patterns of land use with various opportunities for subdivision and development. Three open houses will be presented between Oct. 25 and 30 in Tees, Lacombe and Bentley.

Oct. 12, 2006
AUMA Passes Two of Three Resolutions re Urban Growth
The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association recently passed two resolutions in an attempt to get the provincial government to give priority to rapid growth conflicts between municipalities that border one another. One asks the province to put existing annexation applications on the fast track and another asks that boundaries be immediately expanded for municipalities that can not currently accommodate rapid growth. A third resolution that did not pass suggested that rural municipalities put a freeze on development within eight km of a city or town.
City's Future Directions Concept Gets Positive Response
About 700 responses have already been received concerning a concept plan for what the city would look like at a population of 300,000 which could occur in 45 to 75 years. Most of these responses, received as a result of sending out surveys to city and council residents, have been positive. The city initiated consultation with the public at the first of two open houses on Wednesday. Further consultation will take place with Red Deer County, surrounding municipalities, the provincial government and school boards prior to city council deciding whether or not to adopt the concept. If adopted, the concept will be the foundation for more detailed studies including a revised Municipal Development Plan (MDP), Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) and a strategy for the phasing of annexation.
City Council Approves Cultural and Heritage Initiatives
Red Deer City Council is applying to the federal government for an arts grant under the 2009 Cultural Capitals of Canada program. If approved, the grant would help fund 27 strategies to increase literary and arts programs in the city. Council also approved the Heritage Management Plan, a guideline for the preservation of various types of historical resources including heritage buildings.

Oct. 11, 2006
Gasoline Alley Plans Frustrate City Officials
A plan by Red Deer County to create an urban style development in Gasoline Alley West called Liberty Crossing is frustrating city officials who want some say into what happens on the city boundaries. The County wants to separate the western portion of Gasoline Alley from the South Hills Area Structure Plan to put it more in line with the borders of the Intermunicipal Development Plan and attempt to reduce the number of disputes with the City. Proposed County zoning amendments would put the entire Gasoline Alley West under Direct Control which means only Council can determine how the area is developed. However the County move could initiate another City dispute. Already under dispute are the county's Municipal Development Plan, Springbrook Gasoline Alley Area Structure Plan, Land Use Bylaw and development proposals south of the city.
Red Deer Council Delays Golf Course Proposal
A proposal to develop a nine-hole golf course on both sides of the Red Deer River northwest of the existing River Bend Golf Course has some Red Deer councillors concerned about the loss of future trail potential. Part of the proposed project by Norman Chiles is within city limits and part is in the county in an area that could one day be part of the city. Prior to building the course, the area would first be mined for gravel. The area under consideration is on 87 acres of land and would include a pedestrian bridge across the river.
Lacombe Blacksmith Museum Will Include Park
The Lacombe and District Historical Society is celebrating the Calkins family gift of paying off the mortgage for the Blacksmith Shop Museum. As a result, a park is being erected in front of the museum and will include benches, tables and natural grasses and shrubs. The society also operates the Michener House Museum and Lacombe Interpretive Centre and helps to preserve historic buildings and artifacts.
City Breaks One Month Housing Start Record
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is saying that housing starts in Red Deer during September has broken a one month record for the city. Single detached home starts stood at 130 breaking the old record set in June 2002 of 126. Last year, 84 starts in the same category were recorded for the same month. The nine month total is 21% ahead of the same period last year. However, no apartment units have started construction this year.

Oct. 10, 2006
Innisfail's 3rd Annual Scarecrow Festival Another Success
Ninety-eight handcrafted straw figures were lined up along the service road next to Highway 54 for Innisfail's third annual Scarecrow Festival over the weekend. They were dressed in everything from ballerina outfits to pop cans. Some entries used multiple scarecrows to create scenes. Prizes were awarded to the best in several categories.
August Hail Storm Repairs Taking Time
Repairs to damaged roofs, siding and windows during the August 10 hail and wind storm that hit Springbrook, Markerville and Spruce View is taking a lot more time than many residents expected. The delay is a result of the high demand for labour generally and the large number of homes damaged. Contractors, tradespeople, renovators and even insurance adjusters have been kept extremely busy since the storm that produced in excess of 100 km/hr winds and large hail stones. Many homes have had work done and many more are expected to start rehabilitation by month end.
Red Deer Public Market Has Best Year Ever
An unusually warm summer has resulted in the 36th season of the Public Market being the best attended on record. The market ran every Saturday morning over a five month period from late spring to early fall. During most weekends, attendance averaged 12,000 people and drew 160 to 206 vendor booths.
Average City Home Prices Increase
The Red Deer and District Real Estate Board has reported that, during September, the average price of a single family home in Red Deer sold for $329,484 and outside the city for $241,312. This compares to $223,176 one year ago in the city representing a 48% increase and $172,477 outside the city. Townhouses in the city averaged $186,321 this September and apartment condos $189,121. Rural acreages with a home averaged $379,073.

Oct. 7, 2006
Work Starts on Red Deer North East Development
A new subdivision northwest of the Michener Centre near the corner of 67 St. and 30 Ave. in north east Red Deer is beginning to show signs of impending development. The 140-acre parcel, being developed by Melcor, will include 32 acres of commercial similar to Southpointe Common and 100 acres of residential that could be developed over the next two to four years. The first two phases are expected to be completed next year. The subdivision plan will go to a public hearing before final approval.
Next Phase of Pine Lake Resort Gets County Approval
Phase 4 of a 7 phase resort condominium development on the west side of Pine Lake has been given Red Deer County approval for the addition of 93 lots. A subdivision plan and zoning changes were required for the Whispering Pines and Country Club Resort project to proceed. However further approvals are required from Alberta Environment before construction actually starts. An earlier study suggested that water and sewer improvements would be required for Phases 4 to 7.
New Acreages Proposed East of Red Deer
Red Deer County has given first reading to a bylaw that would allow 12 new rural acreages to be developed about 1.5 km east of the city and south of Highway 11. A public hearing will be held prior to approval. Neighbours have expressed concerns over water and traffic.
Major Commercial Development Gets Started in Olds
Ground work has begun on 30 acres of land on the west side of Olds that could develop into a major commercial power centre. Tenants will range from small retailers to big box stores. The area structure plan includes plans for residential and light industrial in the future.

Oct. 6, 2006
Red Deer Vital Signs Project Under Way
The city of Red Deer is embarking on a project to create an overview of what the city has to offer and where it needs to improve. Existing data including 10 areas including safety, health, education, transportation, housing, employment and income will be collected and interpreted to give it meaning. The project, called Vital Signs and expected to take a year to complete, will help local leaders and agencies identify both weaknesses and needs.

Oct. 5, 2006
Twinned Highway 11 Opens
Constructed over two years, the $16 million twinning of Highway 11 between Red Deer and Sylvan Lake is now open to traffic. The four lane divided thoroughfare between Highways QE2 and 20 has been eagerly awaited for several years to improve safety and accommodate the steadily increasing traffic.

Oct. 4, 2006
Red Deer County Approves Rezoning North of City
Land use and zoning bylaws were amended yesterday by Red Deer County to allow for the expansion and move of Precision Drilling's Red Deer operations to north of the Ipsco plant. The oil and gas exploration company wants to develop 88 acres that were zoned agricultural for a 23,000 sq. ft. office and 17,000 sq. ft. shop that together would employ 45 people initially and expand to 60. A large part of the parcel would be used for landscaping and visual and  sound barriers. Residents of nearby Central Park rural subdivision expressed concerns about increased traffic and noise. Some councillors expressed concerns about approving land use changes piecemeal.
Lacombe Office Under Construction Resembles Train Station
A commercial building being built in Lacombe is a replica of the original CPR station for the town. The builder, PJB Design Consultants, have named the project Siding 12 Train Station and will occupy part of it.
Safeway Major Renovation Under Way in Red Deer
The Port O'Call Safeway located in the south downtown Red Deer area is currently undergoing a $3.5 million renovation that will include a Starbucks Coffee outlet. The store expects to hire 30 additional staff once the renovations are complete around the end of October.

Oct. 3, 2006
Red Deer Bower Mall Gets Relaxation on Parking Stalls
As the Bower Place Shopping Centre expands, so does the requirement for more parking stalls. At a prescribed ratio of 4.4 stalls per 93 square metres, the mall would have needed close to 3000 stalls. After arguing that that number of stalls was excessive except near Christmas, the city decided to relax the bylaw by 224 stalls provided the mall could find another location to store snow and provide offsite employee parking.
Residential Construction in Red Deer Continues to Drive Record Building Permits
Building permits in the city of Red Deer are on track to exceed last year's record values with a significant increase in September over the same month last year. Residential permits for the month rose from 204 in 2005 to 331 this year at a value of $18.5 million. For the year to date, around 500 more residential permits were issued this year over the same period last year. Although overall permits are up, commercial and industrial permits are down slightly.

Oct. 2, 2006
Award Winning Artist and Former Ballerina to be Featured Speaker at College
Veronica Tennant, former prima ballerina with the National Ballet of Canada for 25 years and recognized filmmaker and writer, will be the feature speaker at the Red Deer College Art Centre on October 17 at 7:30 pm. Her presentation called 'Selling Ourselves Short: Canadian Artists on the Global Stage' is the feature of the college's next 'Perspectives: Canada in the World' series. Veronica's list of awards include the Order of Canada, Governor General Lifetime Achievement Award in Performing Arts, Canada Council Award for Excellence. She is Canada's national ambassador for UNICEF, has written two children's books and has directed arts performances for television.

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