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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).
May 2007 Part
1
May 15, 2007
Development Expands North of Taylor Plaza
Red Deer municipal planning commission has approved a three-storey
19,440 sq. ft. commercial building north of the Taylor Plaza
located at the corner of 67 St. and Taylor Drive still to be completed.
Meanwhile, another commercial property is being developed nearby that
will include a Bank of Montreal.
Blackfalds Taxes Up Only 1%
Even though property values have increased 30% over the past year,
Blackfalds taxpayers will only see an average 1% increase in property
taxes. An average home assessed at $218,000 will have a tax bill of
about $2,435. The 2007 budget includes two major projects -- a $7
million water reservoir and a $5 million expansion and upgrade of the
sewage lagoon.
Sylvan Lake Taxes Similar to Last Year
The average property tax bill for Sylvan Lake residents will be similar
to last year. With adjustments in property assessments, some will pay a
little less, some a little more. Capital projects this year include some
road and trail upgrades. Money will also be put away for a future new
police station, town offices and water and sewer upgrades.
Ponoka Taxes Up Over 5%
The need for an additional RCMP officer and increased costs have led to
an average 5.5% increase in taxes for Ponoka residents this year. A
necessary rehabilitation of some streets, an addition to the storage
lagoon, upgrades to the AquaPlex and landscaping for the historic dam
project have all contributed to the budget increase. A skateboard park
carried over from last year's budget is also expected to be completed
this year.
May 14, 2007
Schools Market to International Students
Colleges and school divisions in Central Alberta are using a $75,000
government grant to market to international students hoping to attract
them to the region. Olds College, Red Deer College and Canadian
University College in Lacombe want to help local students become part of
the world community. Red Deer Public, Red Deer Catholic, Chinooks Edge
and Golden Hills school divisions are participating in the project to
encourage students in other countries to choose the region for their
high school education. The focus of the marketing campaign will be
toward Europe, Czechoslovakia and Russia.
May 12, 2007
Red Deer County Studies Recreation Needs
A survey has been mailed out to about 4,000 residents of Red Deer County
in order to get a sense of the needs for recreational facilities and
programs. A separate survey has been sent to some stakeholder groups.
Part of the study will determine what the costs are of operating a major
regional facility. Public meetings will be held in Springbrook, Pine
Lake and Markerville. The surveys and public meetings will become part
of a report going to county council in the fall.
May 11, 2007
Shoreline Plan Devised to Protect Buffalo Lake
A shoreline management plan is currently being developed to protect
Buffalo Lake from some of the issues that have arisen in the recreation
and development of other Central Alberta lakes such as Sylvan and Gull
Lakes. The plan is meant to oversee the right-of-way the province
purchased around the lake that is from a few metres to hundreds of
metres wide. Part of the plan will look at improving lakeshore habitats
and identify threatened plants and animals for protection. Encroachment
and recreational activities that damage the shoreline and habitats for
birds and fish are among top concerns. A joint meeting between the five
municipalities and various government agencies involved in the plan is
scheduled for May 25 with a public meeting planned for later in the
year.
May 10, 2007
Golf Course Housing Proposed in Stettler County
A proposal has been submitted to Stettler County for a large scale
residential development overlooking the 18th hole of the Pheasantback
Golf Course. The project includes 68 park-model trailer units, 31
housing lots and a condominium complex.
May 9, 2007
BioRefinery Moves Another Step Forward
Red Deer County has given second reading to rezone land from
agricultural to industrial after a public hearing that attracted over 40
people. Third and final reading is expected in about a month. The
rezoning will pave the way for the development of a $400 million
biorefinery on 421 acres north of Innisfail alongside Highway 2A and the
Canadian Pacific rail line. The proposed facility will include both an
ethanol and biodiesel plant, each able to produce 379 million litres a
year, as well as a canola crushing plant. Livestock feed and carbon
dioxide for oil well stimulation would also be created. Some people at
the hearing requested that an area structure plan be created to
determine future development near the proposed plant.
Red Deer Housing Starts Down Slightly
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has reported that although
single family housing starts were up in April, the total housing starts
in Red Deer were down slightly from March. However, year to date starts
are still up over the same period last year with 377 starts from January
to April compared to 328 in 2006. In April there were 95 single detached
homes started in the city and 22 multi-family units started.
Catholic School Division Develops Wish List
The Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division has developed a wish list
to be sent to the provincial government for school construction over the
next several years. Top priorities are a new $8.3 million K-5 elementary
school in Red Deer's southeast and a new $10.7 million K-9 school in
Innisfail by September 2009. As of September 2006, the division's Red
Deer schools had an enrollment of 4,621 and a regional total of 5,892.
Alix to Mirror Water Line Funded
The provincial government will spend $4 million on a 10 km water line
from Alix to Mirror. This is phase 2 of a project that started with
piping water from the Red Deer River and Stettler water treatment plant
to Alix. The Highway 12/21 Water Commission decided that building the
water line would offer a more secure long term solution to the village's
water needs rather than upgrading the existing water treatment plant.
May 8, 2007
Plan for Michener Hill Gets Preliminary Approval
Red Deer city council has given preliminary approval to the Michener
Hill East Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan on condition that the Gaetz
Lakes Sanctuary continues to be protected. David Thompson Health Region
plans to build a 220-bed continuing care centre, 60 assisted living
units and 150 independent living suites on 15 acres with construction
expected to begin this summer. Another developer plans to build a
further 40 duplex style seniors villas on land to the south of the DTHR
development. The projects are valued in the $55-60 million range.
City Emergency Services Building to Proceed
A combined police station/firehall has been given final approval by Red
Deer city council. The $8.9 million project consists of the expansion
and modernization of an existing firehall in the north part of the city
on 67 St. The new police station will have an emergency operations
centre and have 25 officers. The redevelopment will increase the size of
the current building from 9,000 sq. ft. to 16,000 sq. ft. Meanwhile the
downtown police station will be replaced in 2009.
Major Highway Projects Near Innisfail
Two major highway projects are slated to begin this summer in the
Innisfail area. A $27 million reconstruction of the redesigned Highway
QE2 interchange at Highway 54 will change the current cloverleaf design
to a diamond design. The project also involves widening the medians of
the divided highway and is expected to take two years to complete. The
second project is a $13.5 million widening of a 9.2 km stretch of
Highway 54 west of the town near the Innisfail airport. That project is
expected to be completed by the end of the year. It will eventually form
part of a west bypass road connecting with the south Innisfail
interchange.
Innisfail Budget Increases, Taxes Stable
The 2007 budget for the town of Innisfail has increased 30% from the
previous year set at $20.9 million as compared to $14.8 million.
Construction of a $6 million water reservoir is the biggest reason for
the increase but other projects including street paving, sewer upgrades
and waterline replacement will take place this year. A reduction in the
tax mill rate will result in a relatively small increase in property
taxes.
Lacombe County Tax Increases Vary
Rising assessment in Lacombe County and lower mill rates will result in
variable increases in taxes depending on the degree of property value
increase in the past year. A typical home in Kuusamo Krest on Sylvan
Lake will see an average 4% increase in taxes whereas Burbank homeowners
on average will see a 12.5% increase. Birch Bay could see a slight
decrease. The mill rate was reduced by 12%.
May 7, 2007
County Supports City's Next Annexation
After lifting its opposition to Red Deer's plan to annex 8 quarter
sections (1,300 acres) of land for industrial use west of Highway QE2,
the county has followed up by endorsing the city's desire to annex
another 6,000 acres of land to the east and north of its current
boundary. A strip along the entire east boundary makes up 4,000 acres
and will be developed primarily for residential growth. Another 1,500
acres to the north around Hazlett Lake and north of Highway 11A will be
developed for residential and commercial. The remainder is around
Heritage Ranch and Riverview Park. An annexation in 2004 absorbed over
2,000 acres in the northeast of the city that was expected to meet
residential demand for 15 years but recent growth has resulted in that
area being developed much faster than expected. Public meetings will be
held as early as this summer and a proposal will eventually be sent to
the Municipal Government Board for approval.
Sylvan Lake Luxury Lakefront Properties Fifth Highest in Canada
According to the 2007 Remax Recreational Property Report, Sylvan Lake
lakefront properties are the fifth most valuable in Canada starting at
$1 million for a three-bedroom winterized home. The top four highest
value recreational home areas in the country are in British Columbia at
Invermere, Kelowna, Salt Spring Island and Whistler. Last year, Sylvan
Lake came in sixth in a similar survey.
Real Estate Listings and Prices Still Going Up
The Red Deer & District Real Estate Board has revealed that April saw
more listings than both the previous month and the same month last year.
The average cost of a single family home also rose in comparison. The
price of homes both inside the city and in the area has risen by about
1/3 as compared to a year ago. Single family homes in Red Deer were up
an average $13,000 from March to $365,000. In rural communities the
average price of a home was $264,000. The average price of condominiums
has also risen dramatically from a year ago. The total number of
listings was at 626 compared to 594 in March and 545 in April 2006.
May 5, 2007
Annexation Hearing to Proceed
The Municipal Government Board will proceed with a public hearing
starting on May 28 at the Red Deer provincial building concerning the
city's proposed annexation of 1,300 acres of land west of Highway QE2
and south of Highway 11A even though Red Deer County has withdrawn its
objection to the annexation. There are still some outstanding private
landowners who may oppose the move. Originally booked for seven days,
the process is now expected to take three days or less.
Drumheller Co-operation Sought for Balzac Project
The Municipal District of Rockyview is attempting to get Drumheller on
side for the Balzac mega project that includes a major horse track,
large shopping mall and industrial complex. The town had earlier
indicated that it wasn't interested in processing water from the Red
Deer River for the project through its water treatment plant. Rockyview
is trying to convince Drumheller that the town's maintenance and upgrade
costs would be less resulting in lower water costs.
New Alberta Book Features Regional Attractions
Alberta Motor Association's new book 'Alberta, 100 Journeys' highlights
100 of the unique people, events and landmarks of Alberta including
several in the Red Deer Region, including the Ellis Bird Farm east of
Lacombe and Blackfalds at Prentiss, the Stephannson House at Markerville,
the Alberta Prairie Steam Train Excursions from Stettler to Big Valley,
the Nordegg Heritage Centre/Brazeau Colleries Mines, the Cowboy Trail,
world champion figure skater Kurt Browning and explorer David Thompson.
Prime Sylvan Lakefront Development Site for Sale
Prime lakefront property on Lakeshore Drive in Sylvan Lake approved for
a nine-storey condominium development is currently for sale. The site
was once occupied by the Sylvan Lake Hotel which was demolished in 2002.
If a new owner adopts the existing development agreement for a 94-unit
condominium complex with the town, construction could commence later
this year.
May 4, 2007
Lacombe County Examines Two Industrial Proposals
Rezoning and area structure plans for two new industrial proposals close
to the town of Lacombe passed second reading by Lacombe County council
this week. One proposes to develop 37 lots on 279 acres in Parkview
Industrial Park about 5 km east of Lacombe. The other proposes to
develop 15 lots on 68 acres west of the town next to Highway QE2 and
south of Highway 12. Development agreements need to be completed prior
to the projects going to third reading.
Bower Mall Moves On to Next Redevelopment Phase
The north entrance to Bower Place Shopping Centre has been demolished to
make way for the two-storey Sears Canada department store that is moving
from Parkland Mall to Bower in August 2008. Stores that were in that
area have relocated.
May 3, 2007
Olds College Opens New BioFuel Technology Centre
A program has begun at Olds College to demonstrate the feasibility of
biofuel as an energy source and to conduct research into the whole value
chain spectrum of biofuel production. The Biofuel Technology Centre will
also look at other alternative fuels, determine the impact of biofuels
on agriculture and test biofuels for engine performance. Eventually, the
program plans to develop portable biodiesel plants and produce enough
energy to run the centre.
May 2, 2007
Airport Funding Deferred One Year
The $2.2 million application to the Airport Capital Assistance Program
for new lighting at the Red Deer Regional Airport has been deferred one
year by the federal body. The current lighting for runways, taxiways and
approaches is 35 years old and needs to be replaced. The application also included replacement of
existing signing with fibre-optic ones that can be seen by pilots in
extreme weather conditions. Although the application will likely be
approved next year, the airport authority will continue to pursue the
grant this year. Airport movements in 2006 were 42,952.
Residential Permits Drive Red Deer Construction Activity
City residential construction accounted for 75% of the value of building
permits issued in April, representing 253 permits valued at $13.6
million compared to 179 permits valued at $12.8 million for the same
month in 2006. Nine industrial permits were issued valued at $3 million
and 13 commercial permits at $1.4 million. To date this year, $80
million worth of permits have been issued. The largest permits were
issued to Sanjel Corp., Holiday Inn Express and Seibel Construction.
New Retail Centre Under Construction in Gasoline Alley
Two buildings, one 56,000 sq. ft. and the other 9,000 sq. ft., have
started construction close to the Landmark Cinema complex also under
construction in the Liberty Park area of Gasoline Alley immediately
south of Red Deer. The occupants are expected to be home improvement or
furniture stores. Leons Furniture and Appliances and Sims Furniture and
Mattress Outlet Store already operate in the area. Completion of the new
buildings are expected late this year or early next year.
Rimbey Motorsports Complex Well Underway
Several components of the Rimbery motorsports complex have been
completed with other components proceeding on schedule. The motocross
track opened last year, the dirt oval and mud bog are almost complete
and the quarter-mile drag strip is ready to start construction. A
grandstand and a paved oval are next in line for construction. About 10
events per year attracting 1,000 to 3,000 people are been conducted so
far with more expected as more components are completed.
May 1, 2007
Olds College to Pick Up Dropped Costume Program
A two-year costume cutting and construction program that was dropped by
Red Deer College this year is being picked up by Olds College. The
program existed for 11 years in Red Deer but the final class graduated
this year. Olds College has a Fashion Apparel Technology diploma course.
The new program is expected to start in the fall of 2008.
Catholic School Division to Build Bus Barns
The Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division is building its own bus
facility in the Clearview Industrial Park immediately south of Red Deer.
The division runs about 90 buses in an area that includes Sylvan Lake,
Innisfail, Rocky Mountain House and Red Deer. Currently the division is
leasing a facility in Gasoline Alley. Starting in June, construction
should be complete in 2008.
Alberta Land Use Plan to Get Overhaul
The provincial government is travelling through the province to get
public input on a major land use plan overhaul. The committee is
visiting Red Deer May 30. Regional planning, resource development,
pipeline corridors, preservation of agricultural land, reclamation of
industrial land, water supply and sensitive natural areas are among the
topics being reviewed.
Acura Dealership Approved
A $4 million, 12,000 sq. ft. Acura dealership has been approved by the
Red Deer municipal planning commission for the south end of the city. A
high-end subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, the Acura building will be
located next to the Honda dealership. It is expected to open in late
2007 or early 2008.
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