NEWS of the Red Deer Region - March 1-15, 2007

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

Mar. 15, 2007
Arar Tells Audience to Value Freedom
Maher Arar, a Syrian-born Canadian who was erroneously labelled an Islamic extremist and was tortured when expelled to Syria by U.S. officials after receiving mis-information from the RCMP, spoke to an audience of about 500 people at Red Deer College Arts Centre as part of the college's Perspectives: Canada in the World series. He told the audience to not take their civil liberties and freedoms for granted. He mentioned that his reputation and health were tarnished as a result of the incident that he experienced.
Lacombe Agriculture Centre Gets Federal Funds
Distributed among eight projects at the Lacombe Agriculture and Agrifood Canada Research Centre, an investment of $1 million was awarded to the facility for advance research in the grain and beef industries. Some of the projects include improving the malting properties of barley, developing a framework for genetic evaluation and improvement systems for traits in beef cattle, researching the impact of disease on the bee-keeping industry, and assessing the impact of straw harvest for biofuel feedstock.
Lacombe County Injects More Cash Into Memorial Centre
Lacombe County recently approved the injection of another $250,000 into the Memorial Centre currently being reconstructed in the town of Lacombe. This was in addition to the $500,000 already committed. The project increased from $8 million to $10 million and includes a new library, meeting rooms and a central kitchen. Once completed the new centre will be triple the size of the original building.

Mar. 13, 2007
Census 2006 Shows Explosive Growth in Region
Several communities in the Red Deer Region experienced explosive growth since 2001, according to the 2006 census, and exceeded not only the average Canadian increase but also the average Alberta increase, the fastest growing province in the country. Red Deer's population increased 22% in the five years from 67,829 in 2001 to 82,772 in 2006. Blackfalds experienced a 46.7% increase, growing from 3,116 to 4,571. Sylvan Lake grew 36.1% during the same time period from 7,503 to 10,208. Lacombe, Penhold and Rocky Mountain House also outpaced the provincial average increase of 10.6%. Olds outpaced and Innisfail matched the Canadian average increase of 5.6%. The official population of Alberta at the time of the census on May 16, 2006 was 3,290,350, slightly more than 10% of the country.
City Council Sets Guidelines for Neighbour Water Needs
Red Deer council approved yesterday a policy guideline for sharing water and sewer needs for municipalities outside the city. The provincial government is encouraging smaller towns and villages to co-operate in creating regional systems as part of its Water for Life Strategy, and, as a result, the city is increasingly being asked to participate by supplying treatment facilities. Part of the policy requires rural areas to get a letter of support from a nearby town or village in order to avoid involvement in conflicts between communities.

Mar. 10, 2007
Annexation Hearing Date Set for May
The dispute between the city and Red Deer County over the annexation of 1,300 acres of land west of Highway QE2 is coming to a head. The Municipal Government Board has set a hearing date for May 28 so that each side can present its case as can other interested parties. The hearing could last a week and the Board will make a decision some time after that.
Bell Invests $3 Million For Name on Olds Facility
The Olds College eLearning Centre, currently under construction, received an investment of $3.1 million from communications giant Bell Canada, and, as a result, the new facility will be called the Bell eLearning Centre. The technology centre is part of a $59 million Olds Community Learning Campus that will include a high school, health and wellness facility and a fine arts and multimedia centre and will be accessible by local residents, businesses and both high school and college students.
New Wellness Professional Centre Announced
A wellness centre development, touted as unique in Alberta, should start construction this spring at the corner of Taylor Drive and 45 St. The proposed Red Deer Centre for Health will be a $10 million, four-storey, 38,000 sq. ft. building on the former site of C/A Meats that is expected to house a variety of health professionals including medical, dental, optometry, physiotherapy, chiropractic, message therapy and dietetic services. Construction should be completed in summer 2008.

Mar. 9, 2007
City Gets $7.5 Million for Infrastructure
The provincial and federal governments announced yesterday that Red Deer will receive $7.5 million for improvements to a major city intersection and to the river park system that is the pride of its citizens. An infusion of $4 million will go toward reconfiguration of the intersection of 32 St. and Gaetz Ave. where daily traffic counts exceed 25,000 vehicles north-south and 23,000 vehicles east-west. Most of the remainder of the contribution will go toward improvements to the Bower Ponds area and Three Mile Bend in Waskasoo Park.
Red Deer Housing Starts Jump 60% in February
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reports that housing starts in the city last month were up 60% over the same month the previous year, bucking a trend that saw the average in the province drop 18%. Work began on 105 single-detached homes and 71 multifamily units in Red Deer in February. Year to date, 194 single-detached houses started construction, up from 169 in 2006. Multifamily starts were up dramatically for the first two months this year with 193 units starting compared to 27 last year.

Mar. 8, 2007
Benalto Beautification Plan Wins Award
The Canadian Society of Landscaping Architects has awarded Red Deer County for its Benalto Area Redevelopment Plan that includes tree planting and a network of pathways. It was one of six awards out of 80 entries submitted to the national organization. Benalto was identified as having a high growth potential due to its proximity to Sylvan Lake and Red Deer.
Businessman Builds Replica of Lacombe Train Station
Using original Canadian Pacific Railway blueprints as a guide, PJB Design Consultants Peter and Lorraine Bouwsema have created a replica of the old 1911 Lacombe station that was torn down 30 years ago. Built beside the railway tracks to give it authenticity, they will use the building for their architectural business and lease out what they don't use for office space. The building fits in well with Lacombe's historic theme developed over the past several years. A grand opening is expected in July.

Mar. 7, 2007
Temporary Housing Project Awarded
A housing project for Red Deer's working homeless at the Michener Centre property has been conditionally awarded to Heritage Family Services to operate a 40 room facility to provide affordable, temporary housing to free up space at the city's homeless shelters. The project is dependent on getting provincial or other funding. The two-storey building is 46 years old and has communal living and kitchen facilities on each floor with larger kitchen and dining space in the basement.
Traffic Concerns Dominate Discussion About City East Development
Several Red Deer residents living in the area of a proposed new development of three quarter sections of land in the northeast near the corner of 30 Ave. and 67 St. expressed concerns about potential traffic congestion as a result of the development. Many indicated that traffic is already a problem and further development, especially the large commercial component of the plan, would make travelling in the area unbearable. There were also concerns about the impact on wildlife in the area. The proposed plan includes 1,068 single family homes, 1,672 multi-family units and 40 semi-detached units around a town-centre commercial zone. The proposed development is expected to take three to five years to complete with construction starting this year if city council approves the plans. A new road crossing the river linking Highway 11A with 30 Ave. (Northland Drive) is expected to be constructed over the next two to three years. A new major thoroughfare east of the development at 20 Ave. and re-routing of Highway 11 are planned to be constructed in sections over the next several years.
Boost in Funding for College Trades Programs
The provincial government has injected more funding to increase the number of apprentices taking trades training at Red Deer College. A total of 630 student spaces will open up as a result of the funding for training as electricians, heavy equipment technicians, instrument technicians, steamfitter-pipefitters and welders.
January a Record-Setting Month for Airport
Takeoffs and landings set a record in January for that month at the Regional Airport Red Deer with 3,006 movements. This has offset a decline in movements in 2006, although it was still well ahead of the target of 40,000 movements per year. Further development at the airport is being hindered somewhat until renovations and expansion takes place and old infrastructure is replaced.
County Gives Final Approval to Penhold Annexation
Red Deer County has given final approval to a 700-acre annexation agreement with the Town of Penhold. It means the town can expand north by two quarter sections, south by another two quarters and east by half a quarter. The north sections will be used mostly for industrial, the south for residential and the east for recreation including a planned multi-use facility.
Local Oilfield Company Sold to New Venture
Exact Canada Industries, a local oilfield equipment manufacturing and repair business started in 2002 and named one of Alberta's fastest growing companies by Alberta Venture magazine, has been sold to a new local venture called Victory Rig Equipment, co-owned by one of the owners of Exact. The company has two buildings facing Highway QE2 immediately west of Red Deer and employs about 100 people. The new company will shift its focus from re-manufacturing to new products.

Mar. 6, 2007
Development Proposed for 67 St. Vacant Lot
A commercial development including a 7-unit strip mall and a bank has been proposed for a vacant site in Red Deer on 67 St. (Highway 11) that has sat empty for several years. The municipal planning commission conditionally approved the development on Monday.
East Red Deer Apartment Building Approved
A four-storey, 95-suite, $11 million apartment building for the Lonsdale subdivision in east Red Deer has been approved by the city planning commission. The developer, Laebon, plans to keep the building a rental facility rather than turn it into condos and hopes to have construction completed within a year.

Mar. 5, 2007
Construction in Regional Counties Thriving
Counties as well as cities and towns are thriving along the Highway QE2 corridor. Red Deer County approved $108 million in development in 2006, almost double the previous year, including $46 million in residential, $40 million in industrial, $18 million in commercial and $4 million in institutional construction. One of the bigger commercial projects under way is the new $10 million cinema project in Gasoline Alley. Lacombe County is seeing industrial development west of Highway QE2 and Blackfalds and will soon see housing development around Sylvan Lake. Building permits in Mountain View County were up 26% over 2005. Ponoka County will see a major housing development around the Wolf Creek Golf Course. West of the corridor, Clearwater County more than doubled building permits in 2006 over the previous year at $27 million. East of the corridor, Stettler County almost tripled residential construction to $16 million, mostly around Buffalo Lake near Rochon Sands.
City Councillors and Departments Talk With Public
The City of Red Deer opened themselves to the public at Bower Mall Saturday at the annual Let's Talk. Twenty-three city departments had displays and discussed issues with passers-by as did city councillors. Taxes, affordable housing and snow removal dominated issues the public wanted to discuss but most people were reasonably satisfied with council's performance. Three other agencies had displays including Tourism Red Deer, SPCA and Alberta Animal Services.
Kaleidoscope Celebrates Diversity
In celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Central Alberta Diversity Association is hosting a free function at Festival Hall in Red Deer on Sunday, March 18 starting at 11:30 am. The event will feature aboriginal, Polynesian, Phillippine and Latin American dancers, an African choir, a Chinese dragon dance and the Soul Side in Band. Interactivity, discussion, ethnic food and public service videos are also part of the celebration.

Mar. 3, 2007
City Residential Construction Still Going Strong
Residential construction in the city of Red Deer continues its record pace with 230 permits in February valued at $15.6 million, $3.7 million ahead of the same month in 2006. Total permits, including residential, commercial, industrial and institutional for the month were valued at $16.4 million with 244 permits. Industrial construction is down due to lack of zoned land and commercial is down as several projects wind down before new projects begin later in the year.
Three Hills Bible Institute Expands
The new $3.5 million, 25,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose Maxwell Centre will open in about a month at the Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills. The building will house the Student Services Centre, a bookroom and instructional space for the Prairie College of Applied Arts and Technology. It is part one of a three phase project that will include an auditorium and a theatre. A new apartment building will also be built to house married students and families. The school has about 475 students.

Mar. 2, 2007
Blackfalds Adds Housing Subdivision
An area structure plan involving one and a half quarter sections of land in the north part of Blackfalds was recently approved making way for a 450-lot housing subdivision. The land has also been rezoned from agriculture to single family and multi-family residential as well as some commercial. The area closest to the railway line will have a berm and fence to diminish train noise. Once fully developed, the area will likely add about 1,300 people to the town. Site development and construction could start later this year.
Revised Sylvan Lake Plan to be Reviewed
A revised proposed area structure plan for the land recently annexed from Red Deer County north of Highway 11 will go before the public on March 14. Changes to the original plan include relocation of a future school site and reconfiguration of roads. Eventually Alberta Transportation plans to close the intersection of Highway 11 and 50 St., the main north-south corridor in the town, requiring access roads to 50th St. from Highway 20 and 60th St.

Mar. 1, 2007
Mills Pushes for Gasification Plant in Red Deer Area
MP Bob Mills is pushing for an Ottawa-based energy company to build a plasma gasification plant close to Red Deer. Representatives of five local municipalities (City of Red Deer, Red Deer County, Penhold, Innisfail, Blackfalds) recently toured Plasco Energy Group's plant in Ottawa, currently under construction. The process extracts methane from organic household waste and uses it to generate electricity, some of which could be sold to the provincial power grid. The inert material or 'slag' left over can be used in construction materials such as concrete. Red Deer County sees the process as a possible solution to the disposal of household waste. The plant would need 68,000 tonnes of garbage per year to be viable. The county only generates 25,000 tonnes a year so a partnership would be required with other municipalities.
West Park Residents Concerned Over Traffic Options
About 80 residents from the West Park area of Red Deer attended a city planners meeting at Red Deer College yesterday concerning options for traffic solutions near the entrance to the college and in the proposed Riverlands area. The city proposed five options for dealing with traffic congestion on 32 St. near the college, some of which involve moving the sports fields onto college property. A solution requires not only easing congestion but also better access to and from West Park without encouraging short-cutting through the subdivision. On the north side of West Park, options were presented to create smoother access from the downtown to the Cronquist/Riverlands area which will be redeveloped as the civic yards are relocated. Solutions presented involve closing part of 55 St. requiring West Park residents to adjust their route to the downtown.
Upscale Support Housing Planned for Stettler
A three-storey, 105-unit, 100,000 sq. ft, $16 million upscale supportive living complex for seniors and others with special living needs is being planned for Stettler. Renaissance Gardens will contain a number of recreational venues including a games room, fitness area, private dining room, woodworking room, library and 1,300 sq. ft. sun room and be located on Highway 12 next to the Ramada Hotel. The facility is expected to attract people from other areas of Central Alberta. Construction should start this summer and be completed in a year.

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