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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).
July 2007 Part 2
July 31, 2007
Timberlands Plan Given Final Approval by City
The neighbourhood area structure plan for the 160-acre Timberlands
subdivision in north-east Red Deer has been given final approval by city
council. Representatives of the 50-year-old, 21-acreage country
residential College Park subdivision, immediately to the south of
Timberlands, expressed concern over the transition between the two
subdivisions that have very different characteristics. The new
subdivision will have at least 732 housing units, a school, a large open
space and a large commercial area that includes a mixed town centre with
a prairie town theme. It is expected to be serviced next year and
developed over three years.
Red Deer River As Recreational Asset Needs Planning
City officials agree with river naturalists that the Red Deer River is a
public facility that needs planning, management and maintenance. There
is a growing demand to use the river for recreation but a lack of
parking areas and launch points have resulted in people parking in areas
that are unsafe. Solutions will require co-operation between the city,
the county, Alberta Transportation and various recreational and
environmental stakeholders.
July 30, 2007
Hot Weather Helps Attract Crowds to CentreFest
The fifth annual CentreFest, featuring several international and local
street performers, attracted large crowds Saturday and Sunday to
downtown Red Deer partly as a result of the excellent weather, at times
sizzling. About 80 vendors were happy with the turnout. The festival
included a children's area and food concessions. Performers came from as
far away as Australia and New Zealand.
Caroline Maintains Village Status
Ray Danyluk, provincial minister of municipal affairs, has announced
that the village of Caroline will maintain its status after a vote of
residents in June that favoured that outcome. There was a move to change
its status to a hamlet that would put the community under the
jurisdiction of Clearwater County. That would have reduced taxes but
would also have reduced services. With a population of 550, 120 voted to
remain a village and 31 voted against it.
July 28, 2007
Brick Confirms Move to South Red Deer
The Brick has confirmed its intention to move from its current location
at Gaetz Ave. and 67 St. to a new commercial centre to be constructed
next to Sobey's at 22 St. and Taylor Drive in south Red Deer. It will
occupy a 38,000 sq. ft. building, one of five to be constructed at the
site. The move is expected to be completed by summer 2008. The store's
existing building is for sale. Meanwhile, Urban Barn, speculated to set
up a store at the site, has indicated there are no plans to expand to
Red Deer at the present time. No other tenants have been confirmed for
the centre.
July 27, 2007
Garbage Gasification Commission Officially Approved
The provincial government has officially approved the formation of the
Central Waste Management Commission which was formed to develop a plant
to turn garbage into gas and energy. The commission, chaired by Red Deer
County reeve Earl Kinsella, is made up of 15 Central Alberta
municipalities including the city of Red Deer, Red Deer County,
Innisfail, Sylvan Lake, Bowden, the town of Lacombe, Lacombe County,
Blackfalds, Penhold, Eckville, Alix, Delburne, Bentley, Clive and
Elnora. Although the commission can investigate various waste management
technologies, it will be focusing on Plasco Energy's gasification
technology that breaks down organic materials into gases that can be
used as fuel in internal combustion or turbine engines. Gasification
also extracts methane from organic waste and turns it into electricity.
The byproduct of inorganic garbage is a glass-like non-leachable sludge
that can be used for aggregate in construction materials. The result is
virtually no gas emissions into the atmosphere. A test plant in Ottawa
will be operational in August and monitored by the commission.
Next Stage of College Expansion Ready to Proceed
The foundation for the next phase of the $110 million Red Deer College
Building Communities Through Learning project is completed and is ready
for the steel framing. The new 172,000 sq. ft. building will house
centres for trades and technology, innovation and manufacturing,
business enterprise and visual art. Part of the building is expected to
be ready by September of 2008 with the remainder complete by January
2009. A new welding area and a new automotive service technician shop
were completed this spring and added 26,000 sq. ft. of space.
Penhold Rezones Land for Industrial Use
Originally expected to take two months to make a decision, Penhold town
council has rezoned 114 acres on the west side of town to industrial.
Residents in the area have some concerns about what will happen close to
their homes and to the wetland nearby. Prior to development, an area
structure plan will need to be submitted by the developer and approved
by council. Development is expected to begin in February and will
include widening of Secondary Highway 592. Council has maintained that
industrial development is essential for the sustainability of the town.
Medicine River Wildlife Centre Purchases Adjacent Land
A quarter section of land adjacent to the Medicine River Wildlife Centre
west of Dickson has been purchased for $290,000. This gives the centre a
total of 298 acres. The new land will be left in its natural state and
is home to moose, deer and other wildlife. It will also allow the centre
to expand its educational component. The animal rehabilitation centre
has helped more than 300 animals so far this year and the number is
expected to hit about 1,000 by the end of the year.
Great Chief Golf Course Relatively Unknown
A 10-hole par 3 golf course that is tucked away in Red Deer's Great
Chief Park (part of Waskasoo Park near Bower Ponds) behind ball diamond
1 is not well known but is one of the city's best bargain facilities.
Adults pay $1 and children 50 cents but there is no clubhouse, staff or
pro shop. The course, good for training, fun and exercise, is open
during daylight hours during the summer.
Two Regional Corn Maze Operations Now Open
The 15-acre Lacombe Corn Maze, in its eighth year, features the image of
country singer Paul Brandt this year. Mr. Brandt will be shooting his
new video 'Come On and Get Some' at the maze next week. Farther south,
the Bowden Sun Maze, located seven km. west of Bowden, consists of eight
acres of corn and three acres of sunflowers.
July 25, 2007
More Rental Units for Blackfalds to Open Soon
The first 10 of 60 rental townhouse units under construction in
Blackfalds are expected to be ready for tenants in September. Ten more
units per month are expected to be completed until the $9 million
project is complete. There has been a shortage of rental units in the
growing town as well as Red Deer with several rental buildings being
converted to condominiums. One, two and three bedroom units will be
available, each with five appliances. The developer plans to construct
an additional 38 units in the spring of next year.
Innisfail Water Skier Wins PanAm Gold
Jaret Llewellyn of Innisfail captured Gold in both the men's jump and
trick water skiing events at the PanAm Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tuesday. It brings to eight the number of career medals won at the PanAm
Games. Ryan Dodd of Olds picked up a silver and a bronze in the same
events.
July 24, 2007
Red Deer Tops List of Most Average Canadian City
Toronto-based Environics Analytics has named Red Deer as the most
average Canadian city for factors such as age, occupation, education and
ethnicity. The conclusions are based on federal census data. Generally,
products are tested in communities that best reflect the demographics of
the country's population. Second on the list was Waterloo, Ont. followed
by Guelph, Ont., Kingston, Ont., Kelowna, BC, Maple Ridge BC, Grande
Prairie, Alta., London, Ont., Calgary, Alta., and Langley, BC. The
previous most average city was Peterborough, Ont.
Upscale Art Gallery Planned for City Neighbourhood
An upscale art gallery is planned for the revitalized Riverside Meadows
area just north of the Red Deer River close to the city's downtown. The
Bilton Centre for Contemporary Art will accept fine quality, high level
art contributions from leading Canadian and world artists for display
and sale. The 1,100 sq. ft. gallery could be open by September and
already has eight to twelve months of shows booked. The concept was
developed by Robert Bilton, owner of Innisfail-based Bilton Welding and
Manufacturing Ltd.
July 23, 2007
Westerner Days Breaks Attendance Records
The five-day Westerner Days that ended on Sunday set a new attendance
record with 89,265 visitors, 78 more than the previous record set in
2005. Two single day records were also broken -- 13,530 on Sunday
compared to 13,475 set in 2003 and 22,234 on Friday compared to 21,978
set in 2004. Warm weather and great entertainment are believed to be the
reasons for the new records. Attractions included nightly feature
concerts, a variety of entertainment and acts on the grounds, the
midway, the food, creative arts and trade show exhibits, livestock
competitions and pony chuckwagon races.
Lacombe Research Centre Marks 100 Years
Public tours and the burying of a time capsule marked the 100th
anniversary of the Lacombe Research Centre on Saturday. The centre was
set up as an experimental farm in 1907 and has grown to become a
world-class facility researching food safety, red meat quality, carcass
grading, cereal breeding and forage/beef working closely with producers,
companies, universities and Alberta Agriculture and Food scientists.
Part of Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, the centre has links in
Beaverlodge and Fort Vermilion making it the most northerly agriculture
research centre in the country. In March it was announced that the
federal government would invest $1 million in eight projects at the
centre. Public tours included the arboretum, crop research buildings,
abattoir, weed garden and crop and forage plots.
City Businessman Honoured for Influence
Alberta Venture magazine has honoured Herman Bruin, president of Bruin's
Plumbing and Heating Ltd., as one of the 50 most influential people in
Alberta. The publication cites his involvement in the Workers
Compensation Board, provincial apprenticeship committee and the Alberta
and Red Deer construction associations as well as his role in rewriting
provincial safety codes. He also contributed $250,000 to Red Deer
College for the new Building Communities Through Learning program. In
previous years, the honour has gone to Red Deer College Ron Woodward,
former Community Savings president Herb Der, former Red Deer Chamber of
Commerce executive director Jan Fisher, former Olds College president
Rob Turner, NWP group of companies president Debi DeBelser,
environmental activist Don Bester and Ponoka doctor Brendan Bunting.
July 21, 2007
Small Communities Attracting Interest
The small town atmosphere, lower real estate prices, larger lots and the
easy commute to larger centres are attracting more people to the smaller
communities of the region. In Lacombe County, the quiet villages of Alix
(pop. 850) and Clive (pop. 560) and the hamlet of Mirror (pop. 480) are
experiencing a new vitality. Only a few years ago, houses were difficult
to sell but are now selling for triple the price of five years ago and
are still a bargain compared to the larger urban areas like Lacombe and
Red Deer. Developers plan to have over 200 lots available in Alix next
year.
July 20, 2007
Buildings Demolished for Downtown Office Tower
The 47-year-old former CIBC building at the corner of Ross St. and 49
Ave. in downtown Red Deer and the 53-year-old adjacent Bernstein
Building were demolished yesterday to make way for a 12-storey office
tower developed by Beca International. Once the foundations are removed,
excavation and shoring work will begin. Construction is expected to be
well underway this year and the 100,000 sq. ft. $30 million Executive
Place should be ready for tenant improvements by the summer of 2009.
Features include underground parking for 100 vehicles, a two-storey
vaulted lobby, a pair of rooftop decks and a covered balcony near the
top.
Industrial Park Near Blackfalds Ready to Proceed
The 127-acre Aspelund Industrial Park immediately west of Highway 2 and
the town of Blackfalds in Lacombe County is ready to proceed to the
construction phase now that most of the groundwork is completed. Half of
the 26 lots ranging from 2 to 10 acres have been spoken for.
Sylvan Lake Jazz Festival to Feature Notable Musicians
The three-day Sylvan Lake Jazz at the Lake Festival will feature several
world-class musicians as well as local artists, a free rhythm clinic
session, swing dance lessons, a jazz pub crawl and a wind-up jam
session. Notable musicians include guitarist Amos Garrett, the Dan
Brubeck Quartet, the Johnny Summers Little Big Band and saxophonist Eric
Allison. The festival will take place at various locations at Sylvan
Lake from Aug. 16-19. Most shows will seat 200 to 250 people.
July 19, 2007
Lacombe Joint Development Agreement Approved
The town of Lacombe and Lacombe County have agreed on a joint
development plan for 1,800 acres on the west side of Highway 2. The town
will not pursue annexation of the area but will provide water and sewer
services and share in tax revenue resulting from future development. The
land could be home to future highway commercial development such as gas
stations, hotels, restaurants or campgrounds. It could also be suited to
light industrial, retail outlets, vehicle and equipment sales or
government buildings. Developers will be responsible for up-front
infrastructure costs.
Lacombe Race Track Facility Proceeds
Work is proceeding on a new B-circuit race track south of Lacombe east
of Highway 2. The facility will have an enclosed grandstand, stabling
for 400 horses and an indoor arena. If all governments permits are
obtained, the facility could open for training early next year with
racing in the spring. Current plans include a one-mile dirt track,
quarter mile straight-away, and a seven-eighth mile turf track, the
first in Western Canada. Harness, thoroughbred and quarter horse racing
are all proposed with year-round training of race horses. A development
permit is still required from Lacombe County but preliminary work can be
started as a private track. With the Calgary A-circuit track closed and
construction of the replacement Balzac track delayed, an upgraded
licence may be pursued.
Abbreviated Parade Launches Westerner Days
An early morning storm threatened to cancel the annual Westerner Days
parade. But the parade went on even though several entries including all
but one marching band bowed out. The storm passed by and the parade
proceeded a little behind schedule attracting a large crowd. First day
at the Westerner Park fairgrounds also attracted a large crowd in spite
of the 29C heat and humid conditions.
July 18, 2007
Red Deer County Endorses Three New Trails
Three recreational trails received preliminary approval by Red Deer
County council Tuesday. A 3.6 km trail between Springbrook and Penhold,
a 6.8 km trail between Spruce View and Dickson and a 1 km trail with
access to the Red Deer River at the west end of Glennifer Lake were
given approval. Negotiation with affected landowners and interested
stakeholders will occur during August and September. Project plans were
developed by the Urban Lab division of the University of Calgary. If
rights-of-way can be purchased, construction could begin next year. The
Springbrook-Penhold trail would be the first segment of the TransCanada
Trail under county jurisdiction and would eventually be extended north
to connect with Red Deer and Lacombe County and south to Innisfail.
New Theatre Expected to Open in October
The new $10 million 10-screen 2,000-seat theatre complex, currently
under construction in Gasoline Alley south of Red Deer, is expected to
open in late October. Landmark Cinemas received Red Deer County council
approval to modify its original exterior design due to rising
construction costs. The complex will feature curved screens, stadium
seating with high-backed chairs, digital sound, an arcade area, hot food
counters, party rooms and self-serve ticket dispensers. Theatres will
range between 100 and 200 seats.
Miniature Markerville Displayed at Historic Creamery
A miniature version of Markerville as it looked in 1907 will be on
display at the historic Markerville Creamery until August 10. Replicas
of 25 buildings complete with outhouses, bridges, people and animals
include the Hola School, Stephansson House, the creamery and the
library, all of which are still standing today. The display was created
by Leslie Johnston, a cattle farmer whose family has lived in the area
for generations, in 2005 to commemorate Alberta's centennial.
Future City Traffic Congestion Tests Values
What appears to be the most cost-effective solution to future traffic
congestion is testing the values of Red Deer residents. The proposed
connection between Molly Banister Drive and east 22nd St. requires the
crossing of Piper Creek, a natural area that is used as both a
recreational trail area and wildlife corridor, potentially putting
naturalists and area residents in conflict with the increasing numbers
of east Red Deer residents. Studies suggest that in 10 to 15 years, when
the population reaches 188,000, the existing east-west traffic corridors
will not be able to handle the traffic even with proposed improvements.
The widening of 32 St. is not practical and the widening of 19 St. is
very costly, making the Molly Banister Drive extension, abandoned as an
option by previous councils, the logical choice. Consultants are
suggesting that if a creek crossover is high enough, there will be
little affect on the trails and wildlife, but those opposed to it are
not satisfied and will continue to fight it. City engineers are hoping
that a proposed expressway on the east side of the city and a new river
bridge will alleviate the traffic pressure to some degree but
consultants don't believe that it will eliminate the need for a new
corridor.
Proposed Sylvan Lake Mini Golf Facility Not Supported
The Sylvan Lake municipal planning commission has rejected a proposal
for a pair of 18-hole miniature golf courses near the waterfront. It was
decided that the $2 million project did not conform to the town's
municipal development plan and waterfront area redevelopment plan that
encourages intensive land use and a Cape Cod motif. The plan also had
insufficient parking. The facility was to be developed around a pirate
theme and include two waterfalls.
July 17, 2007
Bower Natural Area Could Be Compromised
Red Deer city council heard on Monday night that all but 9.5 acres of
the 21-acre Bower Natural Area behind Red Deer College could be
eliminated as part of the 90-acre Southpointe Junction
commercial-residential development proposed by Qualico Developments. The
development along Taylor Drive west of Southpointe Common would include
a major retail area and over 600 townhouse and condominium residences.
The natural area had originally been planned to be part of the Waskasoo
Park system in the 1980's but the city didn't have the money to purchase
it. Purchasing the full 21 acres of forest would now cost $3.3 million.
Qualico has offered to sell 9.5 acres for $1.3 million. There is also an
option to purchase 15 acres for $2.3 million. The public is encouraged
to provide input prior to the city council meeting of August 13.
Councillor Suggests That Airport Snubbed
Red Deer councillor Larry Pimm reported to city council that the Red
Deer Regional Airport is the only airport in Alberta that hasn't
received funding from the federal and provincial governments in spite of
the proven need and efforts taken to upgrade the airport. Airports that
have received funds ranging from $755,000 to $14 million include
Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Fort McMurray, Grande
Prairie, Lloydminster, High Level, Peace River, Rainbow Lake and Fort
Chipewyan. Pimm also suggested that current funding formulas need to be
more flexible.
Region Younger Than Average While Aging
The communities closest to Red Deer are younger than both the national
and provincial average while the proportion of seniors has increased,
according to the most recent Statistics Canada demographic information
from the 2006 Census. The median age in Red Deer is 33.4 while the
provincial median age is 36 and the national is 39.5. Sylvan Lake and
Blackfalds are even younger at 31.2 and 29.3 respectively. In fact,
almost 27% of the population of Blackfalds is under 15 compared to the
national average of almost 18% and provincial average of 19%. Sylvan
Lake, Lacombe, Penhold and Rocky Mountain House all have over 20% of
their populations under 15. Blackfalds and Sylvan Lake also have the
least proportion of seniors. Only 3% of Blackfalds is over 65, 7% of
Sylvan Lake and 5% of Penhold. In Red Deer, 9.8% are seniors, up
slightly from the previous census, but lower than the provincial average
of 10.7% and the national average of 13.7. Rimbey has the highest
proportion of seniors at 25.3%. Ponoka, Stettler and Olds each have
around 19% seniors.
More demographic
statistics are located on the Population page.
Sylvan Lake Proposes Waterfront Facelift
Improvements to Sylvan Lake's downtown waterfront area, including
changes to Lakeshore Drive making it more pedestrian-friendly and new
architectural guidelines, are being proposed by the town. Other
improvements include a lakeside promenade, a Cape Cod style
architecture, an urban code to ensure development standards, the banning
of heavy truck traffic, the removal of lakeside parking and the
rerouting of Lakeshore Drive. Public input helped determine the new
suggested guidelines.
Rocky Mountain House Proposes Annexation
The town of Rocky Mountain House is proposing to annex a parcel of land
from Clearwater County on the east side of Highway 11, primarily for
commercial development that could include hotels and big box stores.
Only one landowner is involved in the parcel.
July 16, 2007
Sylvan Lake Northwest Shore Developments Moving Forward
One of five developers planning subdivisions on the shores of Sylvan
Lake expects to have roads and utility systems installed in about two
months. The 22 lots in the 30-acre Eagles Quay subdivision are among 238
planned for the northwest side of Sylvan Lake. The project has received
approval from Alberta Environment for stormwater systems and factors
related to construction near the lake.
Area Couple Launch Home Patio Variety Show
Deborah and Richard Popovich, well-known entertainers who regularly
perform on the Stettler Prairie Steam Train, have launched the 60-seat
Patio Theatre in their own yard close to the scenic Red Deer River 12 km
west of Red Deer on the C & E Trail. The one-hour show is followed by
coffee, dessert and a tour of the gardens. They have performed humorous
musical variety shows for over 20 years at conventions and many other
functions. Types of shows include Variety, Roaring 20s, Hillbilly,
Western and Gospel.
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