News of the Red Deer Region - December 16 to 31, 2006

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

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

Dec. 30, 2006
Housing Development Proposed for Bowden
An Olds developer has purchased land on the south side of Bowden near the golf course for a new residential subdivision that could eventually have 350 homes. Town council has approved the first phase consisting of 22 lots. The town, with a current population of about 1,200, is attempting to annex more land from Red Deer County, primarily for commercial and industrial use.

Dec. 28, 2006
Celebration of Citizenship Planned
The Institute of Canadian Citizenship is planning and enhanced citizenship ceremony for January 23 at the Red Deer College Arts Centre. Artistic performances, a round-table discussion about being Canadian and citizenship ceremony will be part of the celebration.

Dec. 27, 2006
Businessman Sees Annexation of Gasoline Alley as Tax Grab
Long-time Red Deer County businessman, Glenn Simon, sees the city's plan to annex Gasoline Alley as little more than a tax grab. Already plunging $300 million into debt for capital projects, the city's cost of upgrading Gasoline Alley to urban standard would increase that debt even more, claims Mr. Simon. He also prefers working with the County because they tend to understand highway business better and are more prepared to consult with the property owners on what they want the future to look like.
Olds Residents Can Expect a 4% Tax Hike
Olds town council has passed its 2007 budget which includes a 4.12% tax increase for both residents and businesses as well as higher user fees. The overall budget will be $13.5 million which includes an estimated $2.5 million for school costs and $5.8 million for capital upgrades and maintenance. Ambulance costs have gone up considerably with the town's contribution to a new ambulance and staff for Mountain View County. User fees have gone up for ice rentals, cemetery plots, swimming lessons, water, garbage and sewer.
Rocky Mountain House Budget Up 1.9%
Rocky Mountain House town council has passed its 2007 budget of $16.55 million including $6.05 million for capital projects and $10.5 million for operating expenses. Property owners will see very little impact on their taxes. Major projects include the design for the water treatment plant upgrade, adding two RCMP constables, walking trail improvements and rodeo grounds bleachers.
Lacombe County Sets 2007 Budget
Lacombe County council has passed its 2007 budget of $36.1 million including $3.7 million for capital projects and $32.4 million for operating expenses. Although the tax rate hasn't been set yet, property values in the Sylvan Lake area have increased by as much as 30% in the past year which will likely result in significant tax increases in that area. Major projects include the purchase of four new fire vehicles and paving of several roads.

Dec. 26, 2006
Olds May Get Second Radio Station
The owners of an existing independent country radio station in Olds have applied for a licence to operate a second station that will focus on family rock. Brian and Melanie Hepp hope the CRTC will approve the station by the fall of 2007.

Dec. 22, 2006
Historic Looking Downtown Building Approved for Lacombe
A $3 million residential and commercial building has been approved by Lacombe Council for construction downtown. Town Centre Plaza will be a 3-storey development consisting of commercial on the main floor and residential for upper two floors with a historic exterior look to be located in the heart of downtown on the former Weidner Motors site. Construction is expected to begin in the spring and be completed by the end of 2007.
Another Bank to Build Branch in Red Deer
Bank of Montreal has announced that it will be constructing a new branch on the north side of Red Deer on 67 St. near the Canada Post Service Centre. Existing branches are expected to remain in other parts of the city. Several other financial institutions have recently built or are constructing new branches in the city, include Community Savings about a block from the Bank of Montreal site.

Dec. 21, 2006
New Infrastructure Minister Outlines Regional Priorities
Luke Ouellette, MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake and the new Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, has been given two priorities by the new Premier Ed Stelmach that will likely have a positive impact on the region. He is to develop an aviation strategy to ensure the viability of small airports and expand the capacity of Alberta's highway system to address growth and improve safety. Mr. Ouellette's regional priorities include upgrading the Red Deer Regional Airport, reconstructing Highway 2A between Penhold and Innisfail and completing the realignment of Highway 54 to the west side of Innisfail. He also has to deal with building new schools and health facilities to accommodate growth.
Rochon Sands Wants to Annex Residences
The Summer Village of Rochon Sands is preparing an application to the Municipal Government Board to annex 42 residences across the road from the municipality. The residential area is part of Stettler County but enjoy the same services as taxpayers in the summer village.

Dec. 20, 2006
Hearing Set for Gasoline Alley Dispute
The Municipal Government Board has set hearing dates for a dispute between the City and the County over Gasoline Alley plans. The County wants to remove part of Gasoline Alley from the South Hills Area Structure Plan and rezone much of the area to Direct Control. The City sees it as a move to get around the dispute resolution process. Since the South Hills ASP is within the Intermunicipal Development Plan, the City would have a say in how it is developed. The City is concerned about a planned residential area that the County has named Liberty Crossing. The hearing is set for March 19-21. The dispute over the City's plan to annex land west of Highway QE2 will go to a separate hearing with the Board at a later date.
County Approves Penhold Annexation Proposal
Red Deer County and the Town of Penhold have negotiated an annexation plan that would add about five quarter sections, about 600 acres, to the town's northern, southern and eastern border, more than doubling the town's current jurisdiction. The new lands will provide residential, industrial and park area to support a town of 5,000 to 6,000 people. It represents the fifth annexation agreement over the past several months. Plans have already been approved by the County for Sylvan Lake, Innisfail, Delburne and Elnora. Outstanding annexation agreements have yet to be negotiated with Red Deer and Bowden. The Penhold plan will go to a public meeting January 11. Final approvals and official annexation are expected to be completed within the next year.
Retiring City Manager Lauded for His Service
Red Deer City Council gave the retiring city manager, Norbert Van Wyk, a standing ovation at Monday's meeting. It was Mr. Van Wyk's final meeting with council after serving the city since 1997. He considers his greatest accomplishments to have been the Collicutt Centre, the Greater Downtown Action Plan, the designation of the city as the Cultural Capital of Canada in 2003, and most recently, the Future Directions Growth Strategy. The new city manager will be announced early in January and the greatest challenge is expected to be the strained relationship between the city and the county.
County Embarks on Costly Projects
Red Deer County is dealing with two major costly projects that will assure future development. Council approved the construction of another reservoir in the Gasoline Alley area, costing $4 million, to be built to assure water supply for industrial developments that are planned or occurring east of Highway QE2 and south of the city. The cost will be recovered through off-site levies as the lands are developed. About 400 acres are planned for industrial development and the reservoir will service up to 1,000 acres. Administration is also preparing a 10-year $40 million plan to repair and maintain the County's 600 km of paved, oiled and chip-sealed roads, a significant increase over the current $500,000 to $700,000 budgeted for paved road maintenance.
Economic Group Leads Alberta City Job Fair in Toronto
Red Deer Regional Economic Development is organizing a job fair in Toronto next fall for Alberta's largest cities to attract tradespeople and semi-skilled workers from the east to Alberta. The cities participating in the event include Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and, of course, Red Deer. City representatives and companies from each city will attend the fair.

Dec. 19, 2006
City Council Agrees to Target Gasoline Alley
Considering it as good planning, Red Deer City Council decided to proceed with absorbing Gasoline Alley on the south fringe into the city within the next ten years. Council voted unanimously to adopt the revised 'Future Directions: Red Deer at 300,000' strategic growth plan Monday that sets the stage for what the city will look like in 45 to 75 years. It also sets the stage for a battle with Red Deer County. The city's plan will ultimately absorb 80-90% of the county's commercial and industrial tax base of which 30% is in Gasoline Alley. The County has already focused its own growth strategy on the development of Gasoline Alley and the area around it. The city is concerned about urban-style growth on the fringe and sees the only solution being to control it. The long term strategy also sees more residential growth to the north, west and east of the current boundaries and industrial to the south and west. It also preserves a considerable amount of green space. An implementation plan is expected to go to Council in three months.
Historic Building Rehabilitation Gets Final Approval
The Red Deer Municipal Planning Commission has given final approval for the rehabilitation of the old Michener Centre administration building built in 1912 and severely damaged by fire three and a half years ago. The approval sets the stage for the extensive exterior work to maintain its historic value. The $11.3 million renovation project will transform the 25,600 sq. ft. four-storey building into the administrative offices for 170 staff of the David Thompson Health Region. The two-storey annex building has been removed and will be replaced with a four-storey 14,000 sq. ft. addition that more closely matches the original building. The project should be completed by late 2008.
Red Deer Oil Company Builds Billion Dollar Project
Red Deer-based Peace River Oil has begun work on a $1.4 billion oilsands upgrader and refinery in northern Alberta near McLennan. The upgrader, the first in the Peace River Arch, will convert bitumen into synthetic crude and the refinery, the first in North America in 23 years, will process it into high quality diesel, light naptha and other products. The first phase is expected to be complete in 2011 and the entire project done in 20 years.
City Helps Fund Hockey Championship
The Telus Cup, the national midget AAA hockey championship, to be held in Red Deer this year in April, has been given $15,000 by the city. They had requested $25,000 but the parks department had recommended only half that amount. 500 athletes along with their coaches are expected to visit the city for the seven day event.
Foundation Awards Community Grants
The Red Deer and District Community Foundation has handed out its last set of grants for the year to 19 organizations in Central Alberta totalling over $76,000. Some of the recipients include the Schizophrenia Society, Penhold Splash Park, Ellis Bird Farm, Culture Link and Central Alberta AIDS Network. Total grants for the year amounted to $250,000 representing the interest the Foundation earned.

Dec. 16, 2006
One Regional MLA in New Smaller Stelmach Cabinet
Luke Ouellette, MLA (Member Legislative Assembly) for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, has been appointed as Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation to the new 18-member cabinet of the new provincial premier Ed Stelmach. Mr. Ouellette had been Minister of Restructuring in the old Klein cabinet. Neither of the two Red Deer MLAs were appointed directly to cabinet but Mary Ann Jablonski (Red Deer North) was appointed chair of the community services cabinet support committee and Victor Doerksen (Red Deer South) with Ty Lund (Rocky Mountain House) are on the treasury board. Ray Prins (Lacombe-Ponoka) will sit on the agenda and priorities committee.
Architect Chosen for City Hall Expansion
Group 2 Architecture Engineering of Red Deer has been chosen from a field of four to develop a concept design for the expansion of city hall. Once the concept design is accepted by city council, it will then go to detailed design. Council has already approved $31 million in the 2007 capital budget for the project. If the final design is approved, construction could begin as early as 2008.
$1.5 Million Donated to Westerner
Jack and Joan Donald of Red Deer, founders of Parkland Industries, have donated $1.5 million to go towards building an administration building for Westerner Park to replace "temporary" trailers placed in 1981. The Donalds have been involved with the Westerner since 1968. All buildings constructed to date have been revenue generating.
Blackfalds Approves $20 Million Budget
A capital budget of $12.6 million and an operating budget of $7.2 million will likely translate into an average 2.7% increase in taxes for the town of 4,800 in 2007. The operating budget includes provisions for the annexation of nine quarter sections of land in the new year. The town expects to grow 10% per year for the next three years. Capital expenses include a new water reservoir and upgrades to the sewage lagoon.
Lacombe County Tax Rate May Not Increase
In spite of increased operating and maintenance costs, Lacombe County should be able to hold the line on tax rates in 2007. Some home owners in prime locations like Sylvan Lake and Gull Lake will probably see taxes increase due to significantly increased assessments, most taxpayers in the county won't notice a change. This is partly due to increased industrial assessments at the petrochemical plants at Joffre and Prentiss. The budget for 2007 is around $32 million, much of it going to upgrading roads.
New Subdivision Expected in Sylvan Lake
A new subdivision is currently being planned by Western Crown Developments and Melcor Developments in an area recently annexed by the town of Sylvan Lake. The project, located in the southeast of the town along Highway 20, is expected to include 700 homes in a variety of styles from apartments to single family as well as a commercial strip mall. It is one of three quarter sections owned by the companies out of the seven quarter sections annexed.

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