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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).
October 2007 Part
1
October 16, 2007
Voters Choose Experience Over Change
In the municipal elections yesterday, both Red Deer City and Red Deer
County voters preferred experience over change. Morris Flewwelling was
re-elected as mayor of the city and six of the eight councillors were
re-elected. Only one of the incumbents, Bev Hughes, running for council
didn't make it. City council now consists of incumbents Cindy Jefferies,
Tara Veer, Lynne Mulder, Larry Pimm, Frank Wong, Lorna Watkinson-Zimmer
and newcomers Buck Buchanan and Gail Parks. For the first time, women
now outnumber men on city council. In the county, former reeve Earl
Kinsella was elected as the first mayor and four of the six councillors
were re-elected. Only one of the incumbents, Stan Bell, isn't returning
because, as a result of division boundary changes, he was running
against another incumbent. County council now consists of Jim Wood,
Reimar Poth, Penny Archibald, Jim Lougheed and newcomers David Hoar and
George Gehrke. Voter turnout was lower than normal, the lowest on record
in the city at under 22%. Similar results occurred in Sylvan Lake,
Innisfail, Stettler and Blackfalds.
October 15, 2007
Red Deer College Adds Millions to Local Economy
A study on the impact of Red Deer College shows that the post-secondary
institution adds $309 million to the local economy of Red Deer and
Central Alberta every year, an increase of 20% from 2002. That breaks
down to $30 million spent in the region by students who come from out of
the region; $40 million the college spends in the region; $214 million
the college-educated workforce contributes to the economy; and $25
million from indirect benefits. A total of 19,016 credit and non-credit
students attended the college in 2005-06. Provincial and local
governments contributed $36 million to the college during that time.
October 12, 2007
Growing Support for Proposed New College Entrance
The Red Deer Public School District board has endorsed the proposed
modified entrance to Red Deer College from 32 St. The proposal would see
the current entrance from 32 St. replaced with new accesses at 55 St.
and 57 St. merging with the present main road to the front of the
college within college property. There would then be no impact on the
West Park Middle School and the adjacent sports fields that would have
been impacted with previous proposals. The new proposal would also
improve traffic flow for both the college and residents of West Park.
Destroyed City Park to be Restored
The destruction by a developer of a treed natural area in north Red Deer
that was intended to be a future park will be restored as a unique
community park. The developer had indicated that the destruction was
necessary to fix drainage issues. A draft plan includes significant
planting of indigenous trees and shrubs to be completed in less than a
year.
Airline to Expand Red Deer Passenger Service
Starting next week, the Fort Smith based Northwestern Air Lease is
launching a new passenger service from the Red Deer Regional Airport to
Edmonton and Peace River. Flights will be offered Mondays, Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Fridays. The airline currently offers service from Red
Deer to Fort McMurray on Mondays and Thursdays as well as charter
service. The company is interested in adding additional destinations
including Grande Prairie, Calgary and Kelowna. The airline starting
operating out of the airport last December with service that included
Saskatoon that has since been cancelled.
October 11, 2007
Riverside Condo Proposal Altered
A major eight-storey condominium project proposed for Riverside Meadows
at a former scrap metal yard is being altered to reduce the number of
suites from 450 to 296 in order to provide larger and more high-end
units. Construction on the first of three buildings could start in the
spring or summer. Four to eight commercial businesses are planned
for the first floor. Both underground and surface parking will be
provided. Some rezoning will be needed as well as approval from Alberta
Environment before the project can proceed.
Michener Seniors Complex to Offer Options
The David Thompson Health Region, joined by partners Extendicare and
Medican, will be offering living options and services at the proposed
Michener Hill Village for senior care. The complex will include a
280-bed extended care centre, of which 220 will be continuing care beds
and 60 supportive care beds. These will replace the 218 beds at Valley
Park Manor and Red Deer Nursing Home in 2009. The complex will also
include 148 condos and 40 townhouses. A row of duplexes may also be
built in the future. The concept allows people to age in place, moving
from one form of housing to another.
October 10, 2007
City Loans SPCA $1 Million For New Facility
Red Deer City Council has agreed to loan the SPCA $1 million toward
their new $3.3 million animal adoption centre. The current facility,
last expanded in 1998, shelters about 1,200 animals per year but last
year had to turn away 2,700 animals. It is hoped that the provincial
government will contribute about $1.2 million and the new facility can
start construction in April with completion by the end of 2008.
Alberta Survey Favours Environment Over Economy
A survey conducted by the Alberta government concerning future land use
in the province indicates that about twice as many Albertans favour
protecting the environment over protecting the economy in the context of
whether or not to put limits on growth. The Red Deer region is seeing
the effects of rapid growth -- increased prosperity but also urban
sprawl and loss of agricultural land. The greatest concerns revealed in
the survey were land conservation, preservation of natural ecosystems,
water overuse, air quality, inadequate environmental stewardship and
unchecked industrial growth.
New Oilpatch Services Building Under Construction
Construction has started on the $16 million 47,800 sq. ft. Precision
Drilling facility north of Red Deer on a 30 acre site close to Highway
2A. The structure will include 24,700 sq. ft. of office space and a
nine-bay shop. Currently, Precision has 8,000 sq. ft. of office space in
Red Deer and a two-bay shop.
City Single Family Housing Starts Down, Multi-family Up
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reports that starts in September
on single family homes are down in Red Deer at 56 compared to last year
at 130 but multi-family starts are up significantly at 166 compared to
14 last year. The slowdown in single family starts started in July but
total starts year to date are still higher at 812 than the same period
in 2006 at 784. Multi-family starts stand at 485 this year to date
compared to 269 for the same period last year. Total starts this year
are up 23% over last year.
Red Deer Home Prices Moderate
Strong demand and a low supply of housing units in Red Deer during the
nine months ending in May drove prices up dramatically according to the
Red Deer and District Real Estate Board. Since May however, prices have
moderated with average sale prices going down slightly. The April-June
median price for a single family home in the city was $345,000 but the
July-September median price was $330,000 for a single family home.
Outside the city, the median price was $295,000 in June compared to the
July-September median of $287,000.
October 9, 2007
Innisfail Hosts Fourth Scarecrow Festival
A near-record 118 scarecrow entries adorned Innisfail's main street in
the town's 4th annual Scarecrow Festival. The People's Choice award went
to 'The Mad Butcher' entered by Innisfail Meats showing the three little
pigs and the bad wolf. The Most Likely to Scare a Crow award went to the
black knight entered by Red Willow Welding.
October 6, 2007
Blackfalds Signs Joint Economic Agreement
The town of Blackfalds and Lacombe County have signed a joint economic
agreement that will involve co-ordinating land use planning on 300 acres
west of Highway QE2. Both municipalities will share tax revenue from new
development; the town will extend water and sewer services; new
development will meet town standards; and annexation by the town will
not be pursued except in special circumstances. The county signed a
similar deal with the town of Lacombe.
October 5, 2007
Urban Student Numbers Up, Rural Down
Schools in and close to Red Deer have seen an increase in the number of
students this years while schools further away have seen a decline in
students. The Red Deer Catholic School Division has seen a significant
increase partly due to an increase in the number of communities served.
The Red Deer Public School Division has also seen an increase especially
in kindergarten. Chinook's Edge School Division has seen an overall
decrease in the number of students this year but mostly in the rural
areas -- schools in urban areas close to Red Deer either stayed the same
or increased.
October 4, 2007
Construction Proceeds on Lacombe Horse Race Track
Even though the developer is waiting to receive all regulatory
approvals, licenses and rezoning, construction has started on a major
horse racing facility south of Lacombe close to the interchange between
Highways 2 and 12. Current agricultural zoning allows for the
development of a private training track. The plan, however, is to create
a B-circuit racing facility with a one-mile dirt track, a quarter-mile
straight-away and a seven-eighth mile turf track, all of which would be
suitable for thoroughbred and quarter horses and harness racing. Also
proposed is stabling for 400 horses, an indoor arena that would allow
for year-round training and an enclosed grandstand. If rezoning,
licensing and permits are successfully obtained, the facility could be
open next spring and racing could start in July.
Research and Innovation Opportunities Offered at College
The $50 million manufacturing centre, currently under construction at
Red Deer College, will present opportunities for applied research and
innovation, according to Rick Tofani addressing the Red Deer Chamber of
Commerce. Partnerships are being sought with manufacturers in the
region. The college plans to focus on health sciences, advanced
manufacturing, biorefineries, and the environment and ecology. A number
of projects are already underway.
More Retailers Locating in Gasoline Alley
A 55,000 sq. ft. building currently under construction in Gasoline Alley
south of Red Deer will house several retailers including Ashley
Furniture HomeStore, The Bedroom Shoppe, The Living Room, Lane Home
Furnishings, and Kitchen and Patio. A 9,000 sq. ft. building is also
under construction on the 5 acre site with no confirmed tenants as yet.
Nearby, a sports bar was recently approved and a 2,000-seat theatre
complex is nearing completion.
October 3, 2007
Donalds Donate $3 Million to Red Deer College
The biggest gift in the 43-year history of Red Deer College has been
donated by local entrepreneurs Jack and Joan Donald. In honour of the
contribution, the Donald School of Business will be created. The Donalds
will give $3 million through shares over the next three years toward the
college's major expansion initiative, Your College: Building Communities
Through Learning. The five-year project includes adding building space
for trades, health education and other programs. The Donalds, who
founded the petroleum retailing company Parkland Industries Ltd., are
honorary co-chairs of the $35-million fundraising project for the
$110-million expansion.
Red Deer Vital Signs 2007 Revealed
A look at the state of Red Deer, created on behalf of the Red Deer and
District Community Foundation and called 'Vital Signs 2007', was
revealed Tuesday. Similar reports were issued on behalf of community
foundations in 11 cities across Canada including Sudbury, Ottawa,
Medicine Hat, Kitchener, Toronto, Calgary, Saint John, Victoria,
Vancouver and Montreal. The various reports will be shared to create a
national perspective. The local report will help the foundation decide
where grant money should go. The biggest concerns for Red Deer were
homelessness, cost of living and crime.
Sports Bar Proposed for Gasoline Alley
A 15,000 sq. ft. Schanks Sports Bar and Grill with a 240-seat restaurant
is being proposed next to the Landmark Cinema currently under
construction in Gasoline Alley south of Red Deer. The facility will
include a pay-per-view area, four pool tables, 32 video and arcade games
stations, pro shop, mini-golf course and a racebook room.
Innisfail Annexation Moves Forward
Red Deer County has endorsed Innisfail's application to annex 1,600
acres from the county. The 10 quarter sections are expected to meet the
town's growth needs for 50 years, accommodating more than 10,000
additional homes. Innisfail currently has a population of about 7,700.
October 2, 2007
Proposed East Water Irrigation Project May be Downsized
A proposed $263 million project to pipe water from the Red Deer River to
areas around Hanna, Consort and Oyen is being reviewed in an engineering
study to determine if the irrigation portion of the project can be
downsized in response to public pressure. The current plan would use
76.5 billion litres of water to irrigate farmland, water livestock and
improve recreation and tourism in a drought-stricken area of the east
central Alberta with a declining population. The study should be
completed by the end of the year but there is no estimate on how much
downsizing could be accomplished. Opponents of the project would prefer
that no river water is used for irrigation.
City Building Permits Remain Strong
In spite of a decline in residential building permits in September,
overall Red Deer permits remained relatively strong. The city issued 226
permits valued at $21.2 million, down from 362 permits valued at $24.4
million issued for September 2006. Residential permits were down at
$10.8 million compared to $18.1 million for the same month last year.
The largest residential project was a $1.5 million apartment building on
55 St. Commercial projects were valued at $8.1 million, up from $5.1
million in September 2006. The largest projects were a $4 million Acura
dealership and $3 million for a strip mall on 67 St. that includes a
Bank of Montreal. The year-to-date total of $358.8 million is well ahead
of the $197.5 million of permits for the same period last year and is
already ahead of the total for last year.
Candidates Support Garbage Gasification
All 17 candidates running for Red Deer council support the gasification
of garbage although for some, it's conditional. Red Deer MP Bob Mills
has been promoting the technology for some time and has expressed
frustration at the city dragging its feet on the project. Fifteen
municipalities in Central Alberta have formed a commission and are
supporting the process developed by Plasco and promoted by Mills that
turns garbage into electricity and a byproduct that can be used for
construction materials. If a decision is made soon, the $80 million
plant could be the first commercial plant of its kind in Canada although
a test plant in Ottawa will start producing this fall.
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