NEWS of the Red Deer Region - January 1-16, 2008

 
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 1

January 16, 2008
City Downtown Explores Winter Festival Idea
The Red Deer Downtown Business Association is exploring the idea of a multi-day winter festival in the future that could include a Santa's house set up in city hall park, a skating rink, vendors selling hot chocolate, and a revival of the Santa Clause parade. In recent years, the downtown has become a cultural as well as business hub with nine art galleries, retail displays of artisans' work, alternative clothing and flower shops and annual cultural festivals. Several large office projects are currently under construction and more are planned in the future. The city is encouraging more residential development in the area and, in the near future, the Riverlands are will be developed west of the existing downtown near the Red Deer River when the civic yards are relocated.
2007 a Record Year in Real Estate Sales
The Red Deer and District Real Estate Board reports that 2007 was a record year in sales beating out the previous year, also a record. The combined value of those sales reached $1.4 billion for the 5,075 MLS listings sold. Of those, 2,242 were in the city valued at a total of almost $700 million. The market was especially hot early in the year with prices climbing rapidly as a result of many people moving to Red Deer and inventory running short. A slowdown later in the year created a more balanced market and provided a welcome relief for those working in the industry. However the median price of a home in the last quarter was up $19,000 over 2006. In December, the median price of a single-family home in Red Deer was $314,900 and in the surrounding area $267,500. For townhouses and condominiums, the median price in the city was $210,000 but in the surrounding area was $220,000. However, there was a wide selection of housing available in various price ranges.
Sylvan Lake Model Railroader Creates Basement Empire
Greg Garson has created a 110 square metre (1,200 sq. ft.) model railroad empire in his basement over the past 17 years that includes about 140 metres (450 ft.) of track. A new railyard holds between 150 and 200 cars of the more than 700 he has accumulated over the years. The layout, a continuing work-in-progress, is set in the late 1950's, although he has more modern equipment that he runs periodically. He also has a brass collection that is mostly for display.

January 15, 2008
Dawe Recreation Improvements Approved
The Red Deer Municipal Planning Commission has approved the recreational improvements to the G.H. Dawe Community Centre valued at $28 million and expand the facility by 33,000 sq. ft. Improvements include a family aquatics area with two waterslides and a spray park to be built onto the existing pool, a new gymnasium, a 50% increase in the public library, sauna, steam room, family change rooms and exercise area. Major exterior renovations are planned for the entire building. Construction is expected to start in April and take two years to complete. Future plans include another ice surface.
New South Red Deer Development Plan Supported
The Red Deer Municipal Planning Commission has approved the draft Sunnybrook South neighbourhood area structure plan north of 19St. (Delburne Road) and west of 40 Ave. in the south part of the city. The 153-acre plan includes 542 homes and 30 acres of commercial development along 19 St. A few concerns were expressed concerning access that may be addressed prior to going to city council.
City Aboriginal Population Increases to 3,600
Statistics Canada reports that the number of native Canadians living in Red Deer has increased from 2,670 in 2001 to 3,600 in 2006, as part of a national trend where there has been a 50% increase in city-living aboriginals over the past 10 years. Overall, the aboriginal share of Canada's population sits at 3.8%.
Increased Construction Costs Cause Additional $25 Million Loan
Red Deer city council has authorized the borrowing of an additional $25 million to cover increased construction costs for capital projects over the next 10 years including the Northland Drive road extension and river bridge, water main project and various sewer projects.

January 12, 2008
Dawe School Modernization to Coincide with Recreation Upgrades
The Red Deer Public School Division is planning a $6.6 million modernization of G.H. Dawe Community School in north Red Deer in conjunction with the city's $27 million revitalization plan for the adjoining Dawe Community Centre which includes improvements to the pool and library. The city will also build a new gymnasium for the school and three classrooms in exchange for taking over the existing gymnasium and classroom space for community use. Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division also operates St. Patrick's Catholic School at the site. The school upgrades are expected to go to tender in May while the recreation upgrades will go to tender in late March.
Rethink Red Deer Creating Public Awareness
The newly-formed citizens group, Rethink Red Deer with about 150 members, wants to build public awareness on transportation alternatives, smart urban planning, strengthening natural assets and citizen involvement. The group has already been involved in providing input into the planning of the Southpointe Common expansion into the Bower natural area, Red Deer College green initiatives and the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce initiatives on regional and alternative transportation. Rethink Red Deer is co-hosting, along with Red Deer College Green Campus and Sustainable Red Deer, a free presentation at the Red Deer Public Library on January 31 by 'The Geography of Hope' author Chris Turner.

January 11, 2008
$50 Million for Regional Cancer Radiation Treatment Facility
The provincial government has committed $50 million to the Central Alberta Cancer Centre in Red Deer for a radiation treatment facility that is expected to open in 2011. Red Deer is one of three Alberta cities to get funding for similar facilities. Currently, all patients in the province must go to Edmonton or Calgary. The Cancer Centre was built in 2005 immediately west of the Red Deer Hospital Centre with a provision to accommodate the treatment facility. In 2005, almost 750 cancer patients in the David Thompson Health Region had to travel to the two major cities for treatment.
New Innisfail Hotel Prepares for Opening
A $4.5 million EconoLodge Inn and Suites in Innisfail is set to open next month. The two-storey hotel contains 46 units, including 9 suites with kitchenettes and fireplaces and two units designed for handicapped use. All rooms will have fridges and microwaves and a dining area will offer free breakfast for guests.

January 10, 2008
9% Rise in City Housing Starts in 2007
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reports that although there was an 11% drop in single family housing starts in Red Deer during 2007, there was a 75% jump in multi-family starts resulting in an overall increase of 9%. There were 974 single detached houses started during the year compared to 1,095 in 2006. However, there were 584 multiple family units started compared to 334 the year before. In December, 46 single family homes were started compared to 110 in December 2006.
Chamber Told Growth to Moderate in 2008
Red Deer Regional Economic Development (RDRED) in its annual Report to Stakeholders told the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon yesterday that the spectacular 7% growth in 2007 will moderate somewhat in 2008 to somewhere well above 3%. The report indicated that limiting factors like the availability of land and labour make the recent growth rate unsustainable. It was also indicated that the number of building permits in 2007 in the city and the county actually went down but the value of permits was up substantially due to a several multi-million dollar projects including the city's civic yard relocation and expansion of Red Deer College. It was also reported that the workforce is effectively fully employed and the labour needs will increase by about 1.3% per year for the next several years. RDRED is an economic partnership involving the city of Red Deer, Red Deer County, Red Deer Chamber of Commerce and Red Deer College.
Precision Well Servicing Complex Progressing Well
The new $16 million Precision Well Servicing complex under construction north of the city is well under way. The company is erecting a 24,700 sq. ft. office building and a 23,800 sq. ft. nine-bay shop on its 30 acre site west of Highway 2A and north of Ipsco.
Annual Bird Count Sees More Species
The local annual bird count, sponsored by the Red Deer River Naturalists and the Kerry Wood Nature Centre and part of a continent-wide effort, revealed lower numbers of birds but a greater variety in species. Conducted December 16 by 71 volunteer counters from Ponoka to Olds and Rocky Mountain House to Stettler, 57 species were spotted compared to 47 last year. The number of birds dropped from 9,969 last year to 8,749 due to significantly fewer Bohemian waxwings and common redpolls.

January 9, 2008
80% of Region's Tourists Come From Within Province
Tourism Red Deer reports that the number of visits to the tourist centre on Highway QE2 was over 68,700 in 2007. Of the total, about 80% came from other parts of Alberta, mostly from Calgary and Edmonton. About 4% came from other parts of Canada, 8% from the United States and the balance from other parts of the world. Over 250,000 people visited the Tourism Red Deer website. Regional attractions and regional events tend to bring the majority of visitors to the city.
Multiple Family Housing Expected to be Focus of Coming Year
The Central Alberta branch of the Canadian Home Builders Association expects that the residential construction industry will focus on multiple family housing in the region after several years of spectacular single family housing growth. In 2007, single family construction in Red Deer declined slightly, most of the decline being in the last few months of the year, while multi-family construction increased significantly. The demand for housing in the city and the region remains strong.
New City Police Station Ready to Proceed
Design for the $29 million new Red Deer RCMP police station is almost complete and tenders for construction are expected to go out shortly. Actual construction should start this summer with completion in 2010. The new facility will be built on 45 St. west of Gaetz Ave. near the No. 1 downtown fire hall. Final proposals will go to city council in late March or early April.

January 5, 2008
Aerial Boat Survey Results Released for Three Lakes
In early September of last year, an aerial survey was conducted to see how many boats were using Sylvan Lake, Pine Lake and Gull Lake. The 960-acre Pine Lake showed the highest density of boats with 67 boats or 6.4 acres per boat. Sylvan Lake, at 10,500 acres, had 129 boats or 76.7 acres per boat. Gull Lake, at 19,900 acres, had 94 boats or 190 acres per boat. General safety standards suggest at least 10 acres per boat. The survey was launched because of increasing interest in developing subdivisions and marinas on the lakes, particularly Sylvan Lake. A proposed concept development plan is under review for Pine Lake by Red Deer County. Another count is planned for July 2008.

January 4, 2008
Red Deer County Begins New Waste Transfer Site
Construction is under way on a $1.6 million waste transfer site to replace an outdated collection point near the Lousana landfill in Red Deer County. The new landscaped and enclosed Gaetz Creek Waste Transfer Station is being built 5 km west of Lousana north of Highway 42 and about 35 km east of the $5 million Horn Hill waste transfer site completed in 2006. Another facility is being planned on the east side of the county to replace the existing Kevisville site. Much of the garbage from all three stations will be hauled to a $100 million gasification plant expected to go into operation in 2009. In the meantime, the garbage is hauled to Rocky Mountain House or Wetaskiwin.

January 3, 2008
City Major Projects Lead Record Building Year
Building permits in the city of Red Deer for 2007 crushed the previous record year of 2006 with $421 million value compared to $282 million the previous year. A number of major multi-million dollar projects included the city's new civic yards ($70 million), Red Deer College expansion ($38 million), Beca International Ltd.'s 12-storey office building downtown ($27 million), Laebon Development Ltd.'s condominium project at the former St. Joseph's Convent site ($16.5 million), Lancaster Developments' apartment condominium block on 22nd St. ($16.5 million), and Masterpiece Inc.'s seniors complex on Inglewood Dr. ($15.5 million). Industrial permits jumped to $104 million from $36 million in 2006. Public projects jumped from $5 million to $70 million. Residential construction declined slightly at $190 million compared to $201 million in 2006. However multi-family construction accounted for $42 million compared to $18 million the previous year.
Stettler Water Treatment Plant to be Upgraded
A $22 million modernization and doubling of Stettler's water treatment plant is expected to start this year. New regional water lines being built this year by the Highway 12-21 Water Services Commission and the Shirley McClellan Water Commission will need the additional capacity to serve several communities in the Stettler area including Mirror, Bashaw, Coronation, Castor, Halkirk and Ferintosh. The upgrades are expected to be complete by mid-2009. Water is drawn from the Red Deer River.
Province Pumps $500,000 into Three Biofuel Projects
Three businesses in Central Alberta have received grant money from the provincial government for biofuel projects, totalling almost $508,000. Kingdom Farms, a major hog producer near Bentley, received $300,000 for a study to determine the feasibility of building a biogas plant on the farm using methane gas to produce electricity. The Permolex ethanol plant in Red Deer received almost $158,000 for a feasibility study to triple the annual output. Highmark Renewables Research of Ponoka received $50,000 to look into using dairy manure for biogas.

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