News of the Red Deer Region - January 17 to 31, 2008

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NEWS of the Red Deer Region - January 17-31, 2008

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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).
January 2008 Part 2

January 30, 2008
New City Municipal Plan Focuses on Density, Transportation, Open Space
Red Deer city council got its first look at the proposed new municipal development plan which puts more emphasis on sustainable development. It anticipates rapid transit routes along key corridors in the future, better integrates pedestrians and bicycles with the transit system, encourages higher housing densities in new neighbourhoods and the downtown, promotes town centre developments at strategic points around the city, encourages an interlocking series of parks connected with trails and recommends greater effort to save wetlands and other natural areas. The town centre concept involves creating high-density residential development around a commercial hub well served by transit and friendly to pedestrians. The plan goes to a public hearing on March 10 in council chambers.
South City Subdivision Passes First Reading
Red Deer city council has given first reading to the Sunnybrook South Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan which could result in construction starting as early as this summer. The area includes lots for 542 residential units and a commercial zone along Delburne Road (19 St.). The core would consist of single family lots with multi-family housing along 40 Ave. A green space is planned in the centre of the subdivision connected by trails to the utility right of way to the north and trails along Piper Creek to the west. A small residential area would be built west of the creek. A public hearing will be held on Feb. 25.
City Purchases Additional Industrial Land
Red Deer will double the existing size of the Queen's Business Park with the purchase of two quarter sections of land immediately west of the two quarter sections the city already owns for $10.5 million. The entire parcel is within the area recently annexed by the city west of Highway QE2 and south of Highway 11A. Previously purchased land is currently being serviced for industrial development with lots expected to be available by September. The newest land will not be developed for 5 to 10 years.
Lacombe Hospital Gets Millions for Dementia Care Unit
The Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre is getting $10 million from the provincial government to renovate its current long term care unit and to build a specially-designed cottage to care for patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The cottage will house 10 to 12 beds and include a large dining room as well as a secure walking path for residents to use.
Sylvan Lake Requests Funding for Park
The provincial government wants to hand over a portion of Sylvan Lake Provincial Park to the town and is willing to provide $800,000 for improvements. However the town estimates that the necessary improvements to Centennial Park will cost $3 million so the town is requesting further funding from the province. The park needs new washrooms, picnic tables and improvements to parking. The town plans to redirect Lakeshore Drive behind Centennial Park, extending the green space to the lakeshore.
Sylvan Lake Manufactured Home Subdivision Progressing
At the town of Sylvan Lake's northeast corner, the 51-lot first phase of Lighthouse Pointe is progressing with the arrival of 25 manufactured homes boasting features like attached garages, front decks, brick accents and parging to give the appearance of concrete basements. Announced in 2004, the original plans called for approximately 350 factory-built homes and a 325-lot cottage/recreational vehicle park, built around 35 acres of man-made lakes. However, that concept may change depending on the market and input from town officials.

January 29, 2008
Half Billion Dollars in 2007 Area Construction
The 17 towns in the Red Deer region (excluding the city) approved $499.8 million worth of building permits in 2007, up 32% from the $379.1 million in work authorized during 2006. Sylvan Lake led the way with a record $125.4 million in total permits of which $92.3 million was for residential, $25.2 million for commercial and $7 million for industrial. The previous record for the rapidly growing town was $86 million in 2005. The town of Olds followed with a record $116.9 million in permits of which $30.5 million was for residential, $33.5 million for commercial and most of the balance for institutional. The Olds Learning Campus expansion at Olds College represented a large part of the permit total. Residential construction in the region accounted for $314.9 million, up 41% from the previous year. Residential permit values more than doubled in Olds and Penhold over 2006 values. In Three Hills, residential permit values were up 92%, in Rocky Mountain House 88%, in Bentley 79%, in Blackfalds 55%, in Sylvan Lake 53%, in Bashaw 32%, in Ponoka 25% and in Innisfail 17%. Smaller increases were recorded in Eckville, Lacombe, Rimbey and Sundre, while Bowden, Stettler and Trochu saw a decline in values. In contrast, Red Deer saw a 5.6% decline in residential construction.
Red Deer Citizens Face 8.66% Tax Hike
The average Red Deer taxpayer will face a 8.66% municipal tax increase in 2008. It was reduced from the expected 9.7% increase as a result of transferring $725,000 from a reserve stabilization fund built up over the past several years from budget surpluses. This year's budget includes the addition of five more fire-medics and eight more RCMP police officers. Road maintenance costs have also escalated dramatically over last year.
Feedback on Canal Concept Mostly Positive
The Red Deer Chamber of Commerce reports that 41 of the 53 people who responded to a four-page newspaper supplement supports the canal concept called the Red Deer Riverwalk. The idea suggests that a series of canals be built when the Riverlands area is redeveloped between the downtown and the river. Some respondents singled out the recreational and commercial benefits of the project while others saw the potential to beautify the city and attract tourism dollars and yet others saw it as a potential anchor for other projects such as a concert hall museum or arts and culture centre. The few who had reservations about the idea were mostly concerned with the potential cost to taxpayers.
Tourism Red Deer Releases 2008 Visitors Guide
The 80-page 2008 version of the full-colour Red Deer Tourism Visitors Guide was released at a press conference at Heritage Ranch yesterday. The publication has a more modern, upscale format. Features this year include the Red Deer Public Market, Agri-Trade and Beyond City Limits. Regular features include various recreational, cultural and historical attractions as well as maps, festivals, shopping, eateries and accommodation.
Nossack Meat Expansion Geared to Export Market
The city's municipal planning commission has approved a 67,000 sq. ft. expansion of Nossack Fine Meats in northwest Red Deer that will enable the company to add the export market to its current domestic market. The project will increase substantially the company's production to expand into the Middle East and Asian markets, primarily with beef products. The family-owned business grew out of a small city deli of 1980's. Construction is expected to be completed in 2009.

January 28, 2008
Garbage Gasification Plan Gains Momentum
A series of open houses in Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Innisfail and other Central Alberta communities explaining the benefits of garbage gasification in general and the Plasco technology specifically, has garnered considerable public support. Plasco wants to build a $90-$100 million plant in Red Deer County to serve several municipalities in the Red Deer region. The project is spearheaded by the 15-community Central Waste Management Commission. The preferred location is near the Horn Hill waste transfer station east of Penhold and Highway QE2 south of Highway 42. The plant would have a capacity of handling 200-400 tonnes of household waste per day and convert it into a gas that that can be used to generate electricity. There would be little to no emissions or noise. It is expected that construction of the plant will start this year and be completed a year later.
Penhold Grade 7 Students to Build Hovercraft
Sky Wings Aviation Academy of Springbrook is providing the blueprints and providing assistance to build a hovercraft for Grade 7 students at Penhold School over the next three years. The company has assisted the Chinooks Edge School Division in aviation-related projects for several years. It was felt that some advanced students needed a more challenging project than building model airplanes.

January 26, 2008
Massive City Civic Yards Relocation On Schedule
The massive $118 million Red Deer civic yards relocation, from west of downtown near the river to a 70-acre site in the Riverside Heavy Industrial Park next to Three Mile Bend park, is on schedule. Nine buildings are under construction including the transit facility and civic garage that covers 207,000 sq. ft. Once the project finishes at the end of this year, a number of city departments will move in including Public Works, Environmental Services, Materials Management, Electric Light and Power, Parks and Ecological Services and Transit. Moving city departments to the new site will free up land for residential and commercial redevelopment in Riverlands, opening up prime riverfront property. The project is the largest municipal construction project in the city's history.
CollegeSide Care Home Expansion Gets Funding
Bethany Care Society has received $3.78 million from the Alberta government to add 36 affordable, supportive units on the east side of CollegeSide on Red Deer College property. Bethany CollegeSide opened in 2004, a partnership between Bethany, Red Deer College and the David Thompson Health Region to provide 24-hour care for 110 seniors. Construction is expected to begin in the spring and take a year to complete. Units will cost about $1,500 per month to pay for rent, three meals a day, housekeeping and some laundry services.
New Sylvan Lake Shopping Centre Stores to Open This Year
Construction is well under way for a shopping centre in the new Ryders Ridge subdivision in southeast Sylvan Lake. A 26,000 sq. ft. Sobeys full-service grocery store is expected to open in September. A 14,000 sq. ft. Shoppers Drug Mart is expected to open in the third quarter of the year. A 4,500 sq. ft. Royal Bank branch should open in the summer. A 13,000 sq. ft. multi-bay building and a few other pad sites are also planned.

January 25, 2008
Innisfail Best Western Hotel Under Construction
A new three-storey $5.8 million Best Western Hotel is currently under construction in Innisfail and is expected to be open in July. The facility will consist of 65 units ranging from family rooms and suites with board rooms to single and double units as well as an indoor pool and breakfast area. A Boston Pizza is slated to be developed nearby.
Farm Near Innisfail Among Finalists for Awards
Edgar Farms, located northwest of Innisfail, has been named a finalist for the Alberta Chamber of Commerce 2008 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction for Innovation in Agriculture. Other Central Alberta finalists include Red Deer-based Community Savings for Marketing, Laebon Homes of Red Deer for Employer of Youth and Samson Oil and Gas of Hobbema for the Eagle Feather Award. Edgar Farms was established as a homestead in 1907 and is now a year-round retailer of home-grown goods including beef, vegetables, pickles, preserves and pies. The Edgar family also is a leader in agri-tourism and agriculture education programs.
Community Savings Distributes Profit-Sharing
Red Deer-based Community Credit Union Ltd., operating as Community Savings, is distributing $14.5 million to its members among 30 outlets in Central and Southern Alberta. Individuals will be paid based on number of shares, interest paid and types of services used. Last year, the company distributed $14.2 million. As the second largest credit union in Alberta, it currently has assets of $2.7 billion.

January 23, 2008
United Way Breaks Record Again
The United Way of Central Alberta have reached the ambitious 2007 goal of $1.78 million, setting a new record, surpassing the previous record of $1.6 million in 2006. It's estimated that 1 in 3 Central Albertans will use the services of organizations supported by the United Way. The money will benefit 36 member agencies including the clothing bank, schizophrenia society and women's shelter. Since 1965, the United Way community campaign has invested $20 million into community agencies.
Wind Farm Company Meets With Landowners
The president and CEO of Greengate Power Corp. met with landowners in the Pine Lake area outlined his company's plans for erecting wind turbines in Central Alberta. The company is in the early stages of nine separate wind projects in Alberta and Ontario, including four in Central Alberta -- near Radar Hill east of Penhold, Halkirk, Chigwell east of Lacombe and Ponoka. It takes three to five years to complete a wind power project with the main consideration, other than wind, being access to the power grid. Each wind turbine generates enough power to supply about 750 homes.
Biodiesel Project Expects Permit Approvals by Spring
Alberta Ethanol and Biodiesel expects provincial approvals to be completed by spring when they can start engineering studies. Red Deer County recently granted an extension for a storm water management and grading plan for its site north of Innisfail at Niobe. The $400 million plant will produce 379 million litres each of ethanol and biodiesel annually and is now expected to be in production by late 2009.

January 22, 2008
Provincial Grant Supplied for Rimbey Drag Strip
The provincial government is giving Rimbey's Central Alberta Raceways $430,000 through its Major Community Facilities Program for its $1 million expansion that includes paving the quarter-mile drag strip this spring. The next stage will be constructing the grandstand and skyboxes. Operating since 2003, the raceway currently attracts more than 15,000 racers and spectators each year. The project is co-ordinated by the Rimbey Kinsmen.
Container Housing Promoted by Stettler Company
World Wide Trade Services of Stettler is importing 8'x20' shipping containers from China adapted for residential and commercial use. The structures are manufactured with large windows, fire-proof walls and hardwood or linoleum floors. They can be fitted with features like vinyl siding and can be custom-built. The containers have interchangeable wall panels that allow them to be connected vertically and horizontally to create a variety of layouts. In addition to affordable housing, they could serve as emergency accommodation and be used in work camps for residences, offices or storage. They can also be used as temporary school rooms.

January 21, 2008
Red Deer River Bank Stabilization Proceeds
A $2.5 million project to stabilize the Red Deer River north bank below the city's Maskepetoon Park by spreading metre-long rocks quarried near Nordegg, is under way and is expected to be completed by spring. The park, closed during construction, is bordered by the Oriole Park residential subdivision, Highway QE2 and the river. Developers of future residential lots atop the escarpment will ultimately pay for the project.

January 19, 2008
Downtown Red Deer Skyline About to Change
Two multi-million dollar office building projects a block apart are proceeding in downtown Red Deer. Two floors will be added to the five-storey Millenium Centre. The $5.5 million project will add 40,000 sq. ft. to the existing 102,650 sq. ft. building and is expected to be completed by fall. A block away, the groundwork continues on the new 12-storey, 112,000 sq. ft. Executive Place at the corner of Ross St. and 49 Ave. That project is expected to be completed by August 2009.

January 18, 2008
Olds Bell E-Learning Centre Ready to Open in April
The $7.3 million Bell E-Learning Centre, the technology jewel at the Community Learning Campus at Olds College, is set to have its grand opening in April and will link people within the region, the province and internationally. It will house a media studies department and state-of-the-art computer labs with Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. Bell Canada put $3.1 million towards the centre in technical and equipment support. Bell has 12 similar centres in Canada, but Olds E-Learning is the only one located at an academic institution and its only rural facility. Meanwhile, a fine arts and multimedia centre is 50% complete and a high school and wellness centre is 20% complete.
Dow Plants Secure Ethane Feedstock from Oilsands
Dow Chemical Canada Inc. has secured ethane and ethylene feedstock for its Prentiss and Joffre petrochemical facilities that should provide supply for 50 years. An agreement has been made with Aux Sable Canada Ltd.'s Heartland Offgas Plant being constructed near Fort Saskatchewan which will process oilsands bitumen. The traditional source of ethane has been natural gas but those supplies are declining. The company has applied to increase its maximum ethylene usage at the Prentiss plant from 740,000 tonnes per year to 902,000 tonnes. Most of the polyethylene produced at the plant remains in North America and is used for a variety of products including toys and food containers.
Province Approves Rocky Mountain House Annexation
The Alberta government has given approval for the town of Rocky Mountain House to annex 130 acres on the east side of Highway 11 just north of ExtraFoods supermarket which is within a new commercial development. The land is owned by a single landowner who intends to develop it as highway commercial.
Wal-Mart Prepares to Open in Olds Shopping Centre
The 116,000 sq. ft. Wal-Mart store is set to open next week in the new Cornerstone Shopping Centre on the west side of Olds. Operating inside will be a McDonalds, a hair salon, a one-hour photo lab and a cellphone dealer. A number of other stores are already operating at the complex including Canadian Tire, Sobeys, Leo's Building Supplies, Lammle's Western Wear and Tack, Warehouse One - the Jean Store, M & M Meat Shops, Stitches and Quiznos Sub. Others set to open in the future include Ramada Inn, Reitmans, Dollarama, Liquor Depot, Money Mart, a Shell service station and a Lube-X service centre.

January 17, 2008
River Glen School Land May be Sold
Chinook's Edge School Division is exploring options for the sale of nine acres of land adjacent to River Glen School in Red Deer. The division wants to sell nine acres for residential use to help fund a new regional high school to replace River Glen but there is opposition due to its proximity to the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary. Parkland School, located nearby, is interested in 3.5 acres for a wheelchair-accessible playground and administrative building.

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