NEWS of the Red Deer Region - April 16-30, 2007

 
News of the Red Deer Region
snippets and summaries of news reports from local media (primarily Red Deer Advocate and Red Deer Express).
April 2007 Part 2

Apr. 30, 2007
Report Questions Coalbed Methane Extraction
The Pembina Institute has released a report that questions the impact on groundwater of the increasing development of coalbed methane extraction. The report states that Alberta needs greater protection of deep groundwater against possible contamination from gas drilling in the face of climate change, growing population and galloping industrialization. Coalbed methane taps tiny deposits of natural gas trapped in coal seams. There were 4,000 such wells in 2005 and growing.

Apr. 28, 2007
Lacombe Property Taxes Up 2.4%-4.6%
Although average property values in the town of Lacombe have risen 25% over the past year and operating costs have dramatically increased, Lacombe residents will only see an increase in taxes of about 2.4 to 4.6 per cent. This will result in an average $50-$100 increase. The town's operating budget for 2007 is about $15 million and the capital budget is $6 million.
City Examines Water Conservation Strategy
A reduction of 20% in water usage by city residents over the next 5 years is the target of a new committee formed by city administration. The average consumption is currently 460 litres per person, about double the average in Europe. City water usage is about 61% residential with the balance from industrial, commercial and institutional. The committee consists of representatives of several groups including Red Deer River Naturalists, Red Deer River Watershed Alliance, Red Deer Chamber of Commerce and Alberta Environment. After some consultation with residents, the committee will present its strategy to city council.
Biorefinery Open Houses Mostly Positive
About 750 people attended three open houses over the past week concerning the proposed biofuel industrial project north of Innisfail. Most people who attended, especially those in the agriculture industry, were positive about the complex but there were some that were concerned about potential traffic, noise, pollution, view obstruction, use of river water and reduction of agricultural land.

Apr. 26, 2007
Pines School Switching to Christian School
The Red Deer Public School Division trustees have decided to close the Pines School in north Red Deer. Parents tried for several months to develop a plan to keep the school open as a public technology and science school. The trustees decided to switch the facility to a Kindergarten to Grade 2 Gateway Christian school starting in September. Plans are for a new school in southeast Red Deer followed by another school in the northeast.
Olds Seniors Lodge to be Replaced
The Alberta government has announced that it will fund $6.5 million of a $13 million senior citizens lodge in Olds to replace a 49-unit existing lodge built in 1960. The new facility will be larger with 66 beds, more spacious rooms and wheelchair accessible. Construction could start later this year.
Funding Promotes Inter-Municipal Co-operation
The provincial government is doling out lots of money in its newly-announced Municipal Sustainability Initiative. The city of Red Deer gets $8.5 million, Red Deer County $2.1 million, Lacombe County $1.8 million, town of Lacombe $800,000, Sylvan Lake $800,000, Rocky Mountain House $560,000, Olds $480,000, Innisfail $400,000 and several other regional towns with lesser amounts based on a variety of criteria including growth rates. The funding is in 3 parts -- infrastructure (some requiring co-ordination with other municipalities), affordable housing and inter-municipal operations and planning. The funding program is expected to last for at least 5 years. The city of Red Deer has expressed some concerns about the various strings that are attached to the funding.

Apr. 25, 2007
Province Provides Millions for Affordable Housing
The Alberta government plans to provide $5.2 million per year for the next three years to the city of Red Deer for affordable housing. Lacombe will get $442,00 per year, Sylvan Lake $346,000, Rocky Mountain House $284,000. Other communities can apply for specific projects. The funding is aimed at easing pressure in high-growth municipalities. Transitional housing, rent supplementation and other programs are included in the funding.
Proposed Biofuel Refinery Plans to Recycle Water
Developers of a proposed $400 million ethanol and biodiesel refinery north of Innisfail in Red Deer County plan to recycle most of the water it takes from the Red Deer River. Up to 6,000 cubic metres of water per day will be taken from the river through the Anthony Henday water treatment plant. A $3 million reverse osmosis system at the plant will remove impurities from wastewater produced by the operation. Described as North America's largest biofuel operation, the plant will produce three products - biodiesel from canola, ethanol from wheat and canola oil as a byproduct of the biodiesel production. If all approvals are obtained, construction could start this year.
Assessments Up, Mill Rate Down in Red Deer County
The assessed properties in Red Deer County have risen an average 33% over the past year. To diminish the tax hikes such an increase would normally cause, the County has reduced the mill rate. The result will be that those properties that have had values increase less than 20% will see no or little increase in taxes. Assessment increases between 20-30% will result in up to a 5% increase in taxes. Assessments between 30-40% will result in tax increases of between 6-14%. Lakefront properties saw the largest increase in assessment.
County Approves Bowden Annexation
Red Deer County has agreed to a memorandum of understanding for Bowden's bid to annex 320 acres of land east of Highway QE2 for future commercial and industrial development. The county has had some concerns about extending services from the west side of the highway to the east side. The town has agreed to service the annexed area prior to development taking place.

Apr. 24, 2007
More Red Deer River Water Heading to Balzac Project
In spite of the town of Drumheller's refusal to expand their water treatment plant to provide additional water for the Balzac mega-project, the MD of Rocky View has found a way to extract more Red Deer River water to accommodate the development that includes a race track, casino, mall and several other components. A deal with the Kneehill water commission to purchase unused allocation of existing water licences creates a win-win situation for both parties. The water commission has been looking for more customers to reduce costs to its existing customers. Balzac is in the Bow River sub-basin and close to Calgary but the province froze new water licences from that river last year.
Municipalities Explore Turning Garbage to Gas
The city of Red Deer, the town of Sylvan Lake, Red Deer County and several other Central Alberta municipalities are in the process of setting up a regional waste management services commission to explore alternatives to garbage landfills, including gasification that turns solid waste into carbon dioxide. The first such plant in Canada will soon be operational in Ottawa and municipalities are waiting to see how it operates. If the commission is satisfied, it will seek available provincial and federal grants to build a similar plant in this region. Although such a plant would release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, it would eliminate the harmful methane gas that currently is released from landfills.

Apr. 23, 2007
High Speed Rail Just a Matter of Time
A high speed train between Calgary and Edmonton with a stop in Red Deer is just a matter of time, according to Alberta Infrastructure Minister Luke Ouellette. The provincial government recently purchased nine acres of land in downtown Calgary for the future site of a passenger terminal for the rapid rail line. A site in Edmonton has already been purchased. The next stage would be to secure a site in Red Deer and the rail right-of-way. The government is currently conducting a ridership study to determine if the line would be feasible 5, 20 or 50 years in the future.
City Records Multi-Million Dollar Surplus
Red Deer finished 2006 with a $6.5 million surplus that will be deposited into the tax stabilization reserve. Last year's surplus was $5.7 million. The additional revenue was due to several factors including a 5% increase in the number of taxpayers and a good bond market. Income from recreation fees, utilities, building permits and transit was higher than the previous year.
Civic Yards Relocation Approved, Costs Rise
The relocation of the city civic yards from downtown to Three Mile Bend will cost about $3.4 million more than anticipated but final approval to proceed with the project was given by city council today. Preliminary work for the now $118 million project in the Riverside Heavy Industrial Park is underway and several city departments are expected to be at the new location over the next 24 to 30 months. Funding for the project comes from a $38 million provincial infrastructure grant, city reserve funds, utility reserves and a loan.
Sylvan Marina Proposal Generates Concerns
A proposal to build a 352-slip marina as part of a recreation, housing and wellness facility on the northeast shore of Sylvan Lake is generating some concerns. The biggest concern is the attraction of too many boats on the lake. The developers are hoping the first phase of the project will be ready by the summer of 2008. Lacombe County municipal planning commission has been requesting comments from area residents and communities before making a decision on the proposal. Several provincial and federal authorities also have to approve the project before it can proceed.

Apr. 21, 2007
Rocky and Clearview County Update Growth Plan
The town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearview County have formed an agreement on an update to their intermunicipal development plan that outlines growth around the town for the next 50 to 70 years. The area outlined in the plan hasn't changed much but areas slated for future urban and non-urban has been updated paving the way for future annexation by the town.

Apr. 20, 2007
Affordable Housing Apartment Building Sold
Residents of Monarch Place, an affordable and handicap-accessible 65-unit apartment building in north Red Deer, has been sold by Innovative Housing of Edmonton. The non-profit developer had received funding from various levels of government and other non-profit organizations. Many residents, as well as civic and social authorities, feel betrayed by the sale. The buyer will need to return some grant funding if the building is used for purposes other than originally intended.
Olds Chosen for Sustainability Funding
The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association has chosen Olds as one of five provincial communities in an initiative to determine what makes communities sustainable. A plan will be developed that will look at infrastructure, environment and social structures, as well as other factors. Various age groups will be consulted to determine what's important for a community to function.
New Sylvan Lake Subdivision Being Prepared
The proposed new Beacon Hill subdivision in south Sylvan Lake is progressing to the point that construction could start soon on a development that would have 990 residences of which 430 would be multi-family. Once development plans and rezoning have been approved, construction on single-family and duplex units could start later this year and be available by the summer of 2008. Two condominium buildings could also start construction in the fall. The subdivision includes a school site, storm retention ponds and green space.
Sylvan Lake Marina Improved
Several improvements have been made to the Sylvan Lake marina that include dredging the dock area, reconstruction of the docks, an expanded convenience store and the addition of a clothing outlet. The improvements have resulted in an increase in slip rental prices. Sylvan Lake is one of Alberta's most popular boating destinations.

Apr. 19, 2007
Westerner Administration Building Approved
The Red Deer Municipal Planning Commission has approved the construction of a two-storey 10,800 sq. ft. administration building at Westerner Park to replace two double-wide trailers that have housed staff since 1981. Construction is expected to start this summer and take eight months. Jack and Joan Donald, founders of Parkland Industries and active for many years with the Westerner, donated $1.5 million toward the building last December. A land use master plan is currently being developed for the Westerner by the same consultants that created the Gasoline Alley West urban design plan.

Apr. 18, 2007
Buffalo Lake Attracting Development
Hundreds of homes could be built around Buffalo Lake northwest of Stettler and 45 km. east of Lacombe over the next several years. About 200 lots are already under development in Stettler County and applications have been submitted to the county for another 200 lots. A 130-lot subdivision is being proposed next to the Ol McDonalds campground. An area structure plan envisions a golf course and cabins nearby. There is also some development proposed in the summer village of Rochon Sands. An update of an intermunicipal plan by Stettler and Lacombe counties for future development around the lake is also being proposed.
Caroline Considers Hamlet Status
Residents of the village of Caroline are considering the idea of dropping their village status and becoming a hamlet that would put them under the jurisdiction of Clearwater County. The advantages and disadvantages were discussed at a public meeting recently. Residents have until April 27 to submit comments on the proposal to Alberta Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Apr. 17, 2007
Several Towns Developing Skateboard Parks
Over the next few years, a number of towns in the region are developing skateboard parks -- Olds, Ponoka, Lacombe and Stettler. The two projects that are expected to be built within the next year are a 14,000 sq. ft. skate and BMX park in Olds Centennial Park estimated to cost $400,000 and a 5,000 sq. ft. concrete plaza-style park in Ponoka for about $160,000. Lacombe and Stettler are planning on parks within the next few years.

Apr. 16, 2007
Red Deer Church Featured on Canada Postage Stamp
The uniquely-designed St. Marys Catholic Church in Red Deer and its architect Douglas Cardinal are being featured on a Canada Post stamp to be issued May 9. People from all over the world visit the church, built in 1968, annually. Mr. Cardinal, a Metis, was raised in Red Deer and the church brought him international recognition. He went on to design several landmark buildings including the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.

Top of page
 

Directories:
- Business
- Community

Home                 The Central Alberta Region | Communities of the Region | Accommodation
Attractions | Recreation | Community Life | Business & Economy | Shopping | Dining | History
Convention & Hospitality | Campgrounds | Transportation | Climate | Geology | Regional Map
Recent & Archived News | Coming Events | Population Statistics         Contact Us | Site Map

Published by AbundanceNet
Springbrook, Alberta, Canada
© Copyright 2007 AbundanceNet
All Rights Reserved.