News of the Red Deer Region - June 16 to 30, 2007

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NEWS of the Red Deer Region - June 16-30, 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).
June 2007 Part 2

June 30, 2007
Dawe Centre Upgrade Gets School Board Blessing
The Red Deer Public School Division board has approved the city's plan for the $27 million upgrade to the G.H. Dawe Centre. The project includes the city taking ownership of the school gymnasium and adjacent storage space at the G. H. Dawe Community School. In exchange, the city will spend about $4 million to build a smaller gym to better suit the needs of the elementary school and three more classrooms. The old gym will be turned into a community activity centre.
Olds Community Learning Campus Progressing Well
The multi-facility $60 million Olds Community Learning Campus at Olds College is progressing well. The first building to be completed is the eLearning technology centre that is expected to open in November. The skeleton of the fine arts and media centre is in place and should be completed in the fall of 2008. The high school component, replacing the existing Olds Junior Senior High School and the wellness centre, located in the same building, will be finished in the fall of 2009. The facilities are a joint project between Olds College, Chinooks Edge School Division and the town of Olds.
Condos Planned at Caroline Spiritual Retreat
A spiritual retreat 6 km. west of Caroline is planning several single family condominium units on 56 acres of land adjacent to the retreat. Clearwater County has given first reading to zoning the land from agricultural to country residential. An outline plan and public meetings will need to be done prior to second reading. The retreat opened in August 2004 so that visitors could come to a quiet area to reflect on their faith.
Alberta Environment Wants Input on Biofuel Plant
Prior to approval, Alberta Environment is looking for public input on the biofuel plant proposed north of Innisfail. The $400 million facility would include an ethanol plant, biodiesel plant and a canola crushing plant. The public has one month to indicate any environmental concerns. Few are expected as an ethanol refinery has a much lower environmental impact than an oil refinery. Most concerns have to do with increased rail and truck traffic.

June 29, 2007
Oilfield Waste Facility Proposed Near Olds
A Red Deer-based company wants to build a $5 million oilfield waste management facility about 22 km east of Olds. The site is about 150 metres by 150 metres where eight 1,000 cubic metre storage tanks will be located. About 15 to 25 trucks are expected to drop waste at the site daily. Construction should start next year once all approvals are obtained and take two months to complete.
Utility Box Historic Murals, Street Signs Enhance Downtown
The City of Red Deer, Downtown Business Association and the Main Street Program have initiated an enhancement project called 'Scenes on a Box' for the downtown area. Reproduced photographs of Red Deer in the early part of the last century from the city archives will adorn eight utility boxes. Another city centre improvement project is new street signs featuring a curved top bearing the marker 'Historic Downtown'.
Sports Hall of Fame Passes Accreditation Test
The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, located along Highway QE2 on the west side of Red Deer, has achieved the new accreditation developed by the Alberta Museums Association to raise the level of museum standards and the accountability of public funding. The museum runs on a $400,000 annual operating budget, most of which comes from the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation. With over 7,000 artifacts, about 13,000 people visit the museum annually.

June 28, 2007
Lot Draw Attracts Four Times Available Lots
A record-setting 450 people showed up at the Westerner Harvest Centre to bid on 117 city-owned lots (52 in Oriole Park and 65 in Johnstone Crossing) available in north Red Deer yesterday. Only narrow lots sold for under $100,000. Lots will continue to be available from private developers but the next city-owned lots will not be available until next year in the new Timberlands subdivision in east Red Deer.

June 27, 2007
Westerner Days Hopes to Break Attendance Record
Westerner Days at Red Deer's Westerner Park could break the 100,000 mark this year due to increased population and the best entertainment lineup in years. Last year, attendance for the 5-day event was about 86,000. The concert lineup includes 38 Special July 18, Sass Jordan July 19, Tom Cochrane with Red Rider July 20 and the Bellamy Brothers July 21. The event kicks off with the Westerner Parade on Wednesday July 18 and runs until Sunday July 22. It is expected to have an economic impact of over a million dollars.

June 26, 2007
International Airshow Grounded Indefinitely
The Red Deer International Airshow has been postponed for the forseeable future due to insufficient committed volunteers for the huge undertaking and increasing costs. The last show, held August 2 & 3, 2003, attracted 40,000 spectators and featured the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and several other high-ranking aerial performances. Revival of the show would require a central committee of at least 15 dedicated people for 2 years as well as several volunteers and sponsors.
Another City Subdivision Passes First Hurdle
The Red Deer Municipal Planning Commission has approved the Timberlands Town Centre Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan in the northeast part of the city. The new 160-acre city-developed subdivision, located in the southeast quarter section at the intersection of 67 St. and 30 Ave., will include 732 residential units, a large commercial area, a pedestrian-friendly 'main street', school, place of worship, fire hall, parks and trails. The plan, which still requires council approval, is expected to start next year and developed over the next 10 years. Another similar-sized subdivision was recently approved immediately west across 30 Ave.
New 'Long Stay' Hotel Approved
The Red Deer Municipal Planning Commission has approved a 40-suite, 4-storey, $6 million 'long-stay' hotel on the west side of the city close to Highway QE2 and 67 St. The development will include a sports bar and grill and a pizza restaurant. The one bedroom suites will be designed for clients who stay 2 weeks or longer and will contain kitchenettes as well as living rooms with pull-out couches. Construction is expected to begin this summer.

June 25, 2007
Wolf Creek School Division Reviews Challenges
The Wolf Creek School Division which includes schools in Ponoka, Rimbey, Bentley, Lacombe, Blackfalds, Alix, Mirror and Eckville is facing challenges with its capital budget. Declining enrollments in some schools, aging of facilities, shifting demographics and growth areas as well as insufficient provincial funding to modernize older schools has resulted in some changes in priorities. Highest priority is the $14 million modernization of Ponoka Composite High School, approved in 2000, but failing to proceed due to under funding. A joint project with the Catholic school division and Red Deer College is being explored. Other high priority projects include modernization and/or downsizing of schools in Blackfalds, Rimbey, Ponoka and Bentley.

June 21, 2007
Police Dog Memorial Unveiled Near Innisfail
A life-size statue of a German shepherd dog has been unveiled at the RCMP Dog Training facility near Innisfail to commemorate the 32 police dogs across Canada killed in the line of duty since 1965. The public can see police dogs in action at the training centre every Wednesday at 2 pm during the summer. Red Deer County provided a cover over the grandstand this spring. The new $2 million administration building was also dedicated.
Area Structure Plan Biggest Ever
The city of Red Deer and Red Deer County are embarking on a major area structure plan involving 100,000 acres around the city that includes 50,000 acres that the city plans on annexing over the next 10 years. This is the largest such plan ever initiated by either municipality and is one of the largest ever conducted in Canada. The two municipalities are also in the process of adopting an intermunicipal development plan. An open house was held yesterday and another one is planned for July 5 at Red Deer County Centre. This is expected to be followed by a joint council meeting to approve the plan. Meanwhile another study is being conducted to determine fair compensation to the county for future annexations.

June 20, 2007
City Purchases County Land for Future Growth
The city of Red Deer has paid $5.67 million to purchase a quarter section of land in Red Deer County about 1 km north and east of the future intersection of 30 Ave. and 67 St. The land is needed for future residential development and for the alignment of the new Northland Drive and future 20 Ave.
Historic Hotel Sold to Affordable Housing Partners
Two business partners who have been behind several affordable housing projects in Red Deer are buying the downtown historic Buffalo Hotel. The art deco hotel has about 43 rooms and about 35 people typically live there. It's actually three separate buildings, the first built in 1894 with the coming of the railway across from the former train station. Once taken over in August, the current bar will be renovated and turned into a place of worship and keep the housing the way it is.
Red Deer County Studies Transit Service
People who live or work in the Gasoline Alley area and business owners would like to see some kind of transit service to connect the area with the city, either as an extension of the city transit service or a separate service that connects to it, according to those that attended a public meeting on the subject. Red Deer County is undertaking a study to determine if such a service would be feasible, not only for Gasoline Alley but for other areas of the county as well. One corridor that shows possibility would run between Penhold, Springbrook/Airport, Gasoline Alley and Red Deer. Another open house is expected in late summer or early fall before going to county council for consideration.
Sylvan Lake Chooses New RCMP Site
A location north of H.J. Cody High School on the former Canadian Pacific Railway right of way is the preferred of four possible locations for the new $5 million RCMP station in Sylvan Lake. A feasibility study will be conducted over the summer to evaluate the site. The town purchased the 3.2 km rail corridor through town for $525,000 in 2004 primarily for green space and trail.
Biofuels Plant Clears Another Hurdle
Red Deer County council has given third reading of a rezoning bylaw and approved a building permit for the $400 million biofuels plant proposed north of Innisfail. The next step is to get Alberta Environment approval. A new company has been formed to run the complex -- Dominion Energy will be replaced by Alberta Ethanol and Biodiesel GP Ltd. At capacity the plant, the largest of its kind in North America, would consume an estimated 33 million bushels of canola and 40 million bushels of wheat per year. It is estimated to create 90 direct and 200 indirect jobs. It is hoped that construction can start by the end of summer and take 18 months to complete.
Red Deer County Appoints New Manager
Town of Ponoka chief administrative officer Curtis Herzberg will become Red Deer County's new manager on August 20. He was Ponoka's CAO for five years and was previously CAO in Slave Lake. The position became vacant in April when the previous manager, Rob Coon, left for the Municipal District of Rocky View near Calgary.
Red Deer Teen Makes Cut on Canadian Idol
Jaydee Bixby, 16, a Hunting Hills High School student and formerly of Drumheller, has become one of the top 22 finalists on Canadian Idol.

June 19, 2007
Michener Seniors Complex Cleared to Go
Red Deer city council has approved an amendment to the Michener Hill East Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan and a land use bylaw amendment paving the way for the David Thompson Health Region to build a seniors complex on part of the Michener Centre grounds. The health region, in partnership with Extendicare, is planning to build a $55-$60 million seniors development on 14.6 acres. It will include a 220-bed continuous care centre, 60 assisted-living units and 150 independent living apartments and condominiums. Construction is expected to start this summer and be completed in late 2008.
Lacombe County Approves Town Annexation
Lacombe County has given approval to an annexation report that would transfer 600 acres to the town of Lacombe. Most of the land will be for industrial development on the east side of town but 160 acres will go toward residential and commercial development.
Proposed Timber Rock Development Cancelled
A proposed residential development called Timber Rock, 8 km east of Red Deer south of Delburne Road, that would have housed 2,500 people, has been cancelled by the developer. Several reasons were given including major opposition from area land owners and a requirement by the county to hook into a regional water and sewer system that is at least three years away. The developer had planned to use a system of wells for drinking water and an onsite sewage lagoon for treating waste.
City Joins Regional Gasification Study
The city of Red Deer will join several other Central Alberta municipalities including Red Deer County, Lacombe County, Sylvan Lake, Eckville, Bentley, Penhold, Innisfail, Bowden, Delburne and Elnora in the Central Waste Conversion Commission. The commission will investigate the viability of a gasification process that turns solid waste into carbon dioxide and other byproducts in order to keep more garbage out of landfills.

June 18, 2007
More Homes For Sale, Prices Higher
The Red Deer & District Real Estate Board reports that although there are more homes on the market than last month or the year before, the prices of those homes have increased. There were 1,190 new listings from this area in May, including 403 homes in Red Deer. By comparison in April the figure was 1,017 (with 305 in the city) and in May 2006 it was just 881 (with 217 in Red Deer). The average price of a single detached home sold in Red Deer last month was $368,000, up from $365,000 in April and $288,000 in May 2006. In rural areas, the average price was $306,000, up from $264,000 in April and $209,000 in May 2006.
Artwalk Festival Successful in Spite of Rain
Morning downpours and afternoon intermittent showers reduced the normal attendance to the 19th annual Artwalk festival on Saturday at Rotary Park East but vendors were rewarded with respectable sales. 65 artists, potters, jewellery makers and other artisans reported that the 1,000 people who attended (compared to the normal 2,000-2,500 the festival attracts when the weather is good) were enthusiastic about the various art works displayed and were buying as much as browsing. Four local bands entertained throughout the day.

June 16, 2007
City Census Revised to 85,705
It turns out that the city of Red Deer has 59 more people in the annual census than originally thought. As a result of a review, the population recorded in May is 85,705 for a rate increase of 3.3% over the previous year.
Lacombe Project to Create 20 Murals
Twenty historic murals will be created by artist Tim Giles throughout Lacombe hopefully by the end of the summer. Each mural will depict a different scene from Lacombe's history during the 1890-1910 period. Giles painted his first mural for the town in 2004. It is hoped that the murals will beautify the town and help attract more business and tourism.

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