NEWS of the Red Deer Region - February 1-14, 2007

 
News of the Red Deer Region
snippets and summaries of news reports from local media (primarily Red Deer Advocate and Red Deer Express).
February 2007 Part 1

Feb. 12, 2007
Rocky Historic Site Renovation Under Way
Construction has begun on a $1.4 million total renovation of the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site visitor centre that will include new exhibits, upgraded theatre and expanded gift shop. Interpretive programs and special events will occur at the centre once completed in 2008. A temporary visitor and interpretive centre will be open this summer. The project is part of an overall $2.9 million upgrade of the site. The site was recognized as having historical significance in 1926 and became a fully operating national site in 1979. Ten plains bison were moved to the site in November from Elk Island National Park. The site began as a major trading post in 1799 and David Thompson used the fort as a base for his exploration and mapping of the Rocky Mountains. This year marks the 120th anniversary of Thompson's journey through the Howse Pass.

Feb. 10, 2007
Red Deer MLAs Alarmed at River Water Transfer to Balzac
Red Deer South MLA Victor Doerksen and Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski have expressed their concerns to their provincial colleagues about the impending water transfer from the Red Deer River to the massive $1 billion commercial complex and horse racing track under construction at Balzac, just north of Calgary. The city of Calgary has denied use of city water even though a water line is less than half a kilometer from the development and the city has excessive water capacity. Alberta Agriculture has already approved $8 million toward the $50 million line from Drumheller to the project. The primary objection is that it sets a precedent transferring water from the Red Deer River sub-basin to the Bow River sub-basin where there is currently a freeze on new water licenses.
North-east City Developments Will Add 2780 Residential Lots
Three quarter sections of land near the intersection of 67 St. and 30 Ave. in Red Deer north-east are set for development over the next few years. A major commercial power centre is planned close to the intersection which will be re-aligned over the next several months. Neighbourhood structure plans for the three subdivisions of Timberstone Park, Timberlands and Clearview North will be on display at a public meeting on March 6. Proposed housing will include 1,068 single family homes, 1,672 multi-family units and 40 semi-detached units. The proposed plan includes two schools and a recreation complex.
Lacombe County Intends to Protect Public Land
A plan to protect municipal and environmental reserves around lakes, rivers and other reserve lands is being prepared by Lacombe County. Bylaws and policies will be developed to address residents' requests for occupation licenses and relaxations on public land. An inventory of trails will also be conducted to identify which trails will be upgraded or maintained.
Lacombe Annexation Plan Moves to Next Stage
Lacombe County has approved changes to the Intermunicipal Development Plan preparing the way for the town of Lacombe to annex 600 acres of county land, of which 160 acres is slated for residential and commercial development and most of the remainder will be developed for industrial use. The town is expected to ratify the amendment soon and apply for the annexation.

Feb. 9, 2007
Rocky to Upgrade Water Treatment Plant
Town council of Rocky Mountain House has approved a $7 million upgrade to its water treatment plant to meet new provincial standards, even though the current plant has a capacity for a town of 15,000. Construction will start next year with completion in 2009. Part of the cost will be covered by provincial grants.
Lacombe County Land Use Changes Allow Higher Density
A major overhaul of its land use bylaw has resulted in Lacombe County increasing housing densities. Under the changes, providing that communal water and sewer systems are available, lots as small as three-quarters of an acre would be allowed. Maximum lot size in other country residential areas has been reduced from six to four acres in an attempt to preserve agricultural land. The new provisions only apply to new development. All existing homes are grandfathered.
Apartment Building Leads Housing Starts in January
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reports that housing starts in Red Deer during January were significantly up over the same month last year as a result of 122 multifamily housing starts compared to one a year earlier. Single family homes were up slightly from 84 to 89. Only 334 multifamily starts were recorded for all of 2006 but that should be much higher this year with several projects already approved. Total starts numbered 211 compared to 85 a year earlier.

Feb. 8, 2007
City to Move Quickly on Major Projects
Several multi-year, multi-million dollar Red Deer civic projects are set to get started this year as part of the $400 million capital budget passed by city council in December. One of the largest projects, the $115 million relocation of the civic yards from Cronquist/Riverlands downtown to Three Mile Bend, is set to go to tender shortly and, if approved, construction could start this summer. Construction could start this fall on the $17 million renovation of G.H. Dawe Centre and two new police stations are set to start this year. Expansion and upgrades to the water and waste water plants are continuing. Planning and design work is expected to commence soon on the new $50 million Northland Drive project that includes a new bridge over the Red Deer River, expected to be completed by 2010. The intersection at 67 St. and 30 Ave. will be realigned next year. Conceptual and detailed design for the $31 million city hall expansion should be done this year with construction to start in 2008. Improvements on east-west traffic congestion on the south side of the city will be studied this year, which could recommend upgrades to 32 St. and 19 St. (Delburne Rd.) or the construction of a new route between the two arterial roadways. Improvements will be made next year on 32 St. near the college entrance and improvements of the 32 St./Gaetz Ave. intersection are being planned.
Province Announces Major Water Line to Towns East of Stettler
The provincial government has promised to fund 90% of phase 1 of $45 million 100-km water pipeline from the Red Deer River to communities east of Stettler including Halkirk, Coronation, Castor, Veteran and Consort. Phase 2 would extend the line to the Saskatchewan border at Compeer. Future lines could be built to serve Buffalo Lake, Ferintosh and other communities of the region. The entire project could take ten years. This project is not directly linked to the proposed Special Areas project that would pump water from the river to irrigate farmland, water livestock and create wetlands in east Central Alberta.
Real Estate January Sales Set New Record
The Red Deer and District Real Estate Board Co-op has reported a 42% jump in real estate sales last month over the previous January's record-setting month. Last month's sales included 411 residential properties with 208 in Red Deer and 203 in outlying communities. A year earlier, the corresponding numbers were 125 and 159. The average price of a sale in January was $335,700 in the city and $255,600 in the outlying areas.

Feb. 7, 2007
Red Deer Museum Rebrands with New Name and Logo
The museum in Red Deer has rebranded itself with a new name and a new logo. The former Red Deer and District Museum is now called the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery. The museum has housed galleries for some time where both local and touring art exhibits are displayed.

Feb. 6, 2007
Community Savings Caught in the Crossfire
Red Deer based Community Savings, described as the fifth largest financial institution in Alberta, has found itself in the middle of the dispute between the city and the county. Due to expansion into southern Alberta over the past several years, the institution needs to build a large office complex but can't find a site large enough within the city boundary. Land was purchased in Red Deer County last year at the north end of Gasoline Alley just off Highway QE2. The parcel is 11.3 acres in size and the business needs at least 10 acres to build a 120,000 sq. ft. building. The Red Deer planning commission is opposed to major office development on the edge of the city. County officials were surprised it even went to the commission as planners of both municipalities are seeking a solution so that the institution can stay in the region. Regardless of the result, Community Savings plans to continue its presence in the downtown and is preparing for renovations at the central branch.
City and College Release Study on Attracting Immigrants
Red Deer College and the city of Red Deer have released the results of a study done by college students looking at ways to make the city more welcoming and inclusive to immigrants. A strategic plan will be developed this spring to encourage the diversity of various cultures and attract workers from different countries to the city. A public open house will be held on Feb. 21.

Feb. 5, 2007
Future of Agriculture in BioFuels Says Provincial Minister
Newly appointed Minister of Agriculture George Groeneveld told 350 people gathered in Red Deer at the annual convention of the Feeders Association of Alberta that the demand for grain for the emerging biofuel industry will open up new markets for barley and canola farmers and increase the price of feed grains for beef producers. He suggested that all partners work together to create a win-win situation.
Edgar Sports Fields May be Replaced by Industry
The city's lack of industrial land for sale may result in the moving of sports fields in the Edgar Industrial Park to another location. This has put upgrade plans by the Red Deer Minor Baseball Association on hold until a decision is made on where and when the relocation will occur. The 50 acres used by various sports groups, including soccer, may be needed for industrial use as annexation of additional industrial land could take a year or longer to complete.
Olds Studies Options for Routing Highway 27
Alberta Transportation's decision to not upgrade Highway 27 through Olds has given the town of Olds the option of looking at alternative routes for the highway to bypass the busy central roadway. The town can now plan for future growth without being tied to the existing route.
Two Condo Projects Planned for Sundre
A 24-unit, five-storey condominium/commercial complex has been approved by Sundre's municipal planning commission. The ground floor will be for commercial use and the upper floors for residential. Last month a 29-unit condo project was approved. Both projects should start in the spring relieving some of the pressure for housing in the growing community of 2,500 residents.

Feb. 3, 2007
Major Road Changes Proposed for West Red Deer
The city of Red Deer is hosting two open houses to get public input on a number of options proposed for major road changes close to West Park. One set of changes are near Red Deer College at the corner of 32 St. and College Boulevard to modify three closely spaced intersections. Some options require moving West Park school sports fields onto the college property. The other area of change is near the new Riverlands area (Cronquist business park) that could result in the closure of a portion of 45 St. The first open house will be at the college on Feb. 28 from 5 to 9 pm.
Bowden Residents Will Face Tax Increase
Bowden town council has passed its 2007 operating and capital budget that will result in an average 6.2% increase in property taxes. The operating budget has increased from $1.5 million in 2006 to $2.17 million this year. The largest capital expense is a $1.1 million water and sewer rehabilitation project.

Feb. 2, 2007
City Councillor Named to Housing Task Force
Red Deer councillor Tara Veer has been named to the provincial task force on the housing crisis resulting from Alberta's over-heated economy. She is one of 16 members of the committee that is expected to deliver a report in 45 days. The task force will look at homelessness, affordable housing, rent subsidies and solutions used by other jurisdictions and provide policy suggestions to the government.
City Building Permits Set January Record
The city of Red Deer issued $24.4 million in building permits in January, setting a first month record easily passing last January's total of $19.2 million. The number of permits also beat last year's record with 240 compared to 199. The largest permit was for a community health centre in north Red Deer valued at $5.8 million. Another large permit was for a $1.5 million four-storey 63-unit apartment building in the east part of the city. Industrial permits were valued at #2 million and residential permits at $15.6 million.
Local Oilfield Company Expanding Overseas
High Arctic Energy, an oilfield drilling and production business based in Red Deer, is expanding its business operations overseas. New projects have been announced in Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Thailand. The company also has operations in Armenia, Ukraine, Yemen, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Tanzania and Congo as well as western and northern Canada.

Feb. 1, 2007
City Tax Hike Reduced to Under 10%
Red Deer city council was able to reduce the operating budget by more than a million dollars yesterday by deferring a contribution to the downtown development fund by $500,000, withdrawing another $500,000 from the tax stabilization fund and deferring some hiring of personnel to later in the year. This reduced the budget to $142 million and in turn reduced the average tax increase this year to 9.76%. The average home owner whose property has been assessed at $233,000 with an average 38% increase in assessment over last year will pay $1,221 for this year.
Design Work Started on Regional Sewer Line
Preliminary design work has started for an Olds to Red Deer sewer line that could become part of a $395 million regional wastewater plan that is being paid 90% by the province and 10% by the communities along the route. A study will be undertaken soon to determine if the project makes economic and planning sense. It will then be determined if the Red Deer plant should be upgraded to handle a regional system or whether a new plant would be built. The project could eventually include all the communities from Crossfield in the south to Ponoka in the north.

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