News of the Red Deer Region - January 16 to 31, 2007

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NEWS of the Red Deer Region - January 16-31, 2007

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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).
January 2007 Part 2

Jan. 31, 2007
City Budget Reduced Slightly With More Cuts Anticipated
Red Deer city council has reduced the municipal tax increase from 13.5% to 12.4% by postponing by a year a contribution to the tax stabilization reserve of $375,000, delaying the hiring of a disaster planning specialist to later in the year and reducing the funding for a planned survey. Five additional fire medics were approved as was an increase for park maintenance.
Sale of 24 City Lots Attracts 200 People
City-owned housing sites in Oriole Park Estates and Johnstone Crossing were snapped up immediately by 200 potential buyers competing in a draw for the 24 lots yesterday. The lots ranged in price from $70,000 to $150,000. Another lot draw will occur in June for 107 city-owned lots in the same areas. Another 150 lots are expected to be ready for sale in the new Timberlands area in the fall. City-owned lots make up about 25% of the total lots available with developers owning the remainder.
Regional Tourism Brochure Released Early
The annual Red Deer and Area Official Visitors Guide has been released a month earlier than usual to help entice visitors to the region. The 77-page booklet is a major marketing tool distributed at the Red Deer visitor information centre on Highway QE2 and other tourist centres throughout Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. The guide is also available online at tourismreddeer.net. Tourism Red Deer is considering applying a 1% tax on hotel rooms in the area to help fund the promotion of regional events and attractions.
Lacombe County Wants Buffalo Lake Plan Clarified
An increased attraction to development around Buffalo Lake has prompted Lacombe County to want to clarify the rules concerning lakefront development. A recent 42-lot development was approved by Stettler County at Rochon Sands on south end of the lake that is partly in a recreation area and partly in an agricultural area. Land in the county on the west side of the lake is not zoned for development but it is expected that there will be pressure to develop it for residential in the future. The public will be invited to look at proposed changes in the summer.
Residential Clusters Being Proposed by Lacombe County
Lacombe County is developing new guidelines for a new 5400-acre development area north of Lacombe at Milton-Morningside. One of the proposals is to create small clusters of residential nodes with open space between them. Lot sizes would be smaller than most rural residential areas but higher densities would preserve agricultural land while at the same time maintaining a rural flavour to new residences. New guidelines for fire fighting will be developed for the area. Public hearings still need to be held before development begins.

Jan. 30, 2007
Central Alberta Construction Up 25%
The city of Red Deer and 17 towns in the surrounding region combined to issue $659 million in building permits in 2006, a 25% increase over the previous year. All time records in total permits were achieved in Red Deer at $283 million, Lacombe at $57 million, Blackfalds at $27 million and Penhold at $5 million. Twelve of the 17 towns were up over the previous year. Sylvan Lake issued $78 million in total permits, Olds $76 million, Rimbey $25 million, Innisfail $20 million, Rocky Mountain House $20 million, Stettler $19 million, Ponoka $17 million, Sundre $9 million and Three Hills $9 million. Several towns achieved records in residential construction and 15 of the 17 towns were up in residential permits over 2005. If county developments. Total permit values would have been even higher if rural municipalities and villlages were included.
Innisfail to Lose Landmark Water Tower
Local residents have been unsuccessful in preserving a 60-year-old 30-metre water tower that has been a local landmark since just after the second world war. The structure hasn't held water in 10 years and is considered a safety hazard. Once the tower is demolished, the site will be used for residences.

Jan. 29, 2007
Olds College Receives Million Dollar Donation
A rancher west of Calgary has donated one million dollars to Olds College, the largest ever donation by an individual. Of that sum, $700,000 will go toward the eLearning Centre, one of five buildings at the new Community Learning Campus, a joint project of Olds College and the Chinooks Edge School Division. The Centre for Horticulture Industry will receive $125,000 towards Phase 3 of the Olds College Botanical Garden, the Landscape Pavilion expansion will receive $100,000 and the remainder will go to bursary and gifting programs.

Jan. 27, 2007
Stettler Town and School Division May Share Office Space
The Clearview School Division and the Town of Stettler have decided in principle to share administrative space in a new $3.5 million building. Both public entities need new office space and a cost saving would likely result from sharing the same facility. The deal is contingent on the provincial government funding a $20 million modernization of William E. Hay Composite High School. The revamp of the school with a student population of 585 would reduce the number of classrooms from 19 to 14 by removing a two-storey wing built in 1969.
German-Canadian Club Plans New Cultural Building
A new $1.5 million 4,500 sq. ft. centre is being planned for an 11-acre site across Highway QE2 and west of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame by the Red Deer German-Canadian Club. The new building will have a distinctive European flavour with a timber roof and include 4 large meeting rooms and a 350-seat hall. There will also be a 4-acre sports field. The club, open to all whether German descent or not, hopes to have the facility ready by fall 2008.

Jan. 26, 2007
National Survey Reveals Red Deer Taxes Relatively Low
Based on property taxes and utilities paid in 2006, Red Deer is the sixth most affordable city in Canada of 24 surveyed. In Alberta, only Medicine Hat was ranked with lower combined municipal and school taxes and utilities. A typical homeowner in Red Deer paid $3,556 for the year. In comparison, Medicine Hat homeowners paid $3,270, Calgary $3,708, Lethbridge $3,855, Edmonton $3,889 and Grande Prairie $4,491. The highest city was Brampton, Ontario at $4,757. In 2005, Red Deer was the second lowest at $3,325.

Jan. 25, 2007
Red Deer Council Tackles 'Most Difficult Budget'
Acting mayor Lynne Mulder is describing the current budget deliberations as the most difficult that Red Deer city council has ever had to deal with. If all $15 million of new funding is approved, raising the overall city budget to about $143 million, the municipal portion of the local tax bill will increase by 13.5%. Next week councillors will weigh whether some requests can be delayed without significantly reducing the services taxpayers expect.
Red Deer Native Suitcase Model in National Game Show
Former Red Deer resident Jennifer Fletcher has been chosen as one of several models for the Canadian version of the hit game show 'Deal or No Deal', hosted by Howie Mandel. The 31-year-old married model is currently represented by Mode Models in Calgary.

Jan. 24, 2007
Red Deer County Approves 2007 Budget
A 13% increase in the operating budget approved by Red Deer County council yesterday will likely be recovered by the huge growth the county has experienced in the past year. Part of the $19.5 million operating budget is almost a doubling of the Community Services budget which includes $283,000 in new grant programs and $90,000 to develop open spaces and new trails. The $22.8 million capital budget includes $8 million in road projects, one of which is $700,000 to improve north access to the Red Deer Regional Airport.
Red Deer Transit Requests New Growth Funding
Another $850,000 is being requested by Red Deer Transit to better serve new growth areas in the expanding city. Ridership increased by 10% last year and has increased 36% over the past 5 years. New areas expected to be served by new routes include Johnstone Park, expanded areas of Kentwood, Lancaster, Inglewood, Vanier Woods and Oriole Park West. The department is also integrating service for special needs passengers.
Clarkson Launches National Citizenship Initiative in Red Deer
Former Governer General Adrianne Clarkson launched the Institute for Canadian Citizenship at Red Deer College yesterday. The grass-roots organization was formed to bring established Canadians and new immigrants together. An enhanced swearing-in ceremony welcomed 88 new Canadians. Clarkson chose Red Deer because the city had made a positive impression on her in the past and Red Deer had an excellent record for a medium-sized city in attracting and keeping immigrants.
County to Elect Mayor Rather Than Appoint Reeve
Red Deer County Council passed two by-laws that will change the way the next municipal election is held. The first is that an elected 'mayor' will replace an appointed 'reeve' as head of council. The second is that there will be six divisions instead of seven, each redistributed to reflect a similar population.
City Downtown Apartment Building Approved
The Red Deer Municipal Planning Commission has approved a four-storey 10-suite condominium apartment-style building with underground parking on the north side of the city's downtown at 48 Ave. and 55 St.

Jan. 23, 2007
Region Created 700 New Manufacturing Jobs in 2006
The economic boom in Central Alberta has created almost 700 new jobs in the city and throughout Red Deer County over the past year according to the annual manufacturers survey released yesterday. The manufacturing payroll has increased 19% over the previous year at $382 million. Over the past five years, the number of manufacturing jobs increased 45% to 9,540 from 6,596 in 2001 and manufacturing sales almost doubled during the same period to $6.2 billion. The region is expected to generate 9,300 new jobs over the next five years in the trades, manufacturing and service industries. The biggest challenge is finding workers to fill those positions.
Central Alberta Model and Actress Now in Playboy
Tricia Helfer, born and raised in Donalda, now a married mother in Los Angeles, is adding another milestone to her career by appearing in and being on the cover of the latest issue of Playboy magazine. She is best known for her continuing role on the TV show 'Battlestar Galactica' as humanoid Cylon Number 6. She also played the role of Farrah Fawcett in the TV movie 'The Unauthorized Story of Charlie's Angels' and in several other movies and television shows. Last year she hosted and produced 'Canada's Top Model' contest. Tricia's career took off in 1992, when, at the age of 18, she won the prestigious Ford Supermodel of the World contest. She was discovered the previous year by Innisfail talent scout Kelly Streit, owner of Mode Models, at a movie theatre in Stettler.
Oil Drilling Has Record Year
The Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors has announced that a record 22,000 wells were drilled in Alberta during 2006. The number of wells expected to be drilled in 2007 is around 19,000, still a significant number. A few years ago, 10,000 was considered a good year.

Jan. 22, 2007
Industrial Park South of City Almost Full
A quarter section of land immediately south of the city of Red Deer that opened less than a year ago is already close to being sold out. The developer of Clearview industrial subdivision is now looking for Red Deer County rezoning to expand into the next quarter east.
Red Deer County Studies Historic Sites
One of several studies planned by Red Deer County is to take inventory of historical sites and structures within the county. An application is to be made to the provincial heritage partnership program for a matching grant of $40,000. The long term goal is to protect historical resources.
Red Deer College Offers Courses in Rocky Mountain House
Trades training, university transfer courses and continuing education courses are now available in Rocky Mountain House. Red Deer College is offering programs at the $21.4 million Confluence Campus that opened in 2005 combining the public and separate high schools. Some courses will be held through video conferences with Red Deer instructors and students.

Jan. 19, 2007
United Way Meets Goal
The United Way 2006 goal of $1.6 million has been reached. This represents a $200,000 increase over the previous year's goal. The organization provides funding for 28 community non-profit agencies to cover basic costs like salaries and utilities. Another 15 agencies receive funding for specific projects. About 300 businesses participate in the fund raising campaign.

Jan. 18, 2007
Red Deer County Studies Recreational Needs
A regional recreational facility is one of the possibilities that Red Deer County is reviewing in a $70,000 recreation, sports and leisure feasibility study to be conducted this year and presented to council in the late fall. A 2005 Community Needs Assessment Study showed that recreational opportunities are falling behind expectations. The new study will take inventory of existing facilities and programs and establish what new facilities are required. Residents also want more open space, trails and cultural opportunities.
Red Deer County Studies Public Transportation
Some form of transit service linking Gasoline Alley and the city transit system is being studied by Red Deer County. Red Deer Transit has also indicated an interest in serving the area on a cost-recovery basis. The county study is also looking at the feasibility of service to rural communities. A report is expected to be ready by the end of the year.
City RCMP Looking for More Officers
The Red Deer RCMP detachment is looking for ten more officers, two more than originally planned due to the rapid growth of the city and the related increase in traffic infractions and gang and drug activities. This was part of the police report to city council Wednesday during budget discussions. The additional officers and more civilian staff would add $846,000 to the police budget. Council will determine the final budget in early February.
City to Receive Additional Provincial Cash
The provincial government has announced that municipalities will get back the equivalent of the educational taxes collected by the province for the next three years. For Red Deer, this represents $9 million each year. The purpose of the "grants" is to fund needed infrastructure as a result of rapid growth.

Jan. 17, 2007
City Assessments See Major Increase
Residents of Red Deer have received their property assessment notices for this year showing an average 38.5% increase in value. Apartment properties rose an average 29%. Commercial and industrial properties increased an average 13%. City council is currently examining the 2007 budget and if all requests are approved, residents with an average assessment increase would see a 13.5% tax increase on the municipal portion (about $150 for the year). The educational portion will not be known until the province sets its budget.

Jan. 16, 2007
City Approves $300 Million Loan
Red Deer Council approved Monday 11 borrowing by-laws totalling $300 million for upcoming major projects, including civic yard relocation, new river bridge and roadway, upgrades to water and waste water treatment plants, expansion of city hall, new downtown police building and upgrades to the G.H. Dawe recreation complex and Golden Circle seniors centre.
Curling Rink Funding Request Deferred
A $1 million request by the Red Deer Curling Club to city council for a new rink and building has been deferred until at least a major assessment of the city's recreation needs has been completed. The study will take about a year to complete and there are many recreation groups looking for funding at a time when rapid growth has created extreme financial pressure. When the proposed new curling rink is built, the old facility may be converted to a hockey arena.
Innisfail Bears Used in 'Borat' Movie
Two bears, along with Innisfail-based animal trainer Ruth LaBarge, were hired in 2004 for the making of the offbeat movie hit 'Borat', filmed in Texas. Yearlings at the time, Charlie and Chester, playing a single bear between them, were the only bears small enough to get into the ice cream truck that was part of the movie assignment. They were also in a pool scene. The bears are currently in Vancouver for the TV series 'Men in Trees'.
Convent to be Replaced by Condos
The Views of St. Joseph, a $16 million 4-storey condominium project on the north escarpment, will start construction in March to replace the St. Joseph's Convent, which is to be demolished today. The single-storey convent was built in 1978 replacing an earlier 3-storey structure built in 1908 that, at its peak, boarded about 100 students. The new condo project is expected to be completed in 2008 and will incorporate a statue of St. Joseph and steeple from the original building.
Downtown Office Tower Approved
The Red Deer municipal planning commission has approved a proposed 12-storey $29 million office building for the corner of 49 Ave. and Ross St., the site of the former CIBC building and Bernstein building. The concrete and steel building will consist of 107,000 sq. ft. plus two levels of underground parking. The ground floor will be used for commercial tenants, possibly including a financial institution. Demolition of the existing buildings will start in April and construction is expected to last 18 months. It will be the tallest building downtown when completed.

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