NEWS of the Red Deer Region - February 16-29, 2008

 
News of the Red Deer Region
snippets and summaries of news reports from local media (primarily Red Deer Advocate and Red Deer Express).
February 2008 Part 2

February 29, 2008
Economic Survey Indicates 33% Increase in Local Exports
Half of the respondents to a manufacturing survey conducting by Red Deer Regional Economic Development (RDRED) said they exported products in 2007. A similar survey in 2006 indicated only 18% had out-of-country sales. The value of the 2007 exports was $1.27 billion, one-third more than the $950 million exported in 2006, although the value of manufactured products sold was up only slightly. The survey was distributed to 218 companies with a 62% response rate.

February 28, 2008
Travelling National Health Survey Stops in Red Deer
Westerner Park was the eighth stop for Canada's most extensive health survey ever. The 350 people selected to be part of the survey, ages 6-69, undergo 15 direct tests measuring height, blood pressure, lung capacity, oral health and other tests. Blood and urine samples are taken to examine 150 factors such as cholesterol, infectious diseases and contaminates. Two teams of staff see an average of 19 people per 15 hour day over a 6-week period.
Credit Union Board Recommends Merger to Become Canada's 3rd Largest
The Board of Directors of the 30-branch Red Deer-based Community Savings is recommending to its members to approve a merger of three Alberta credit unions to become the 3rd largest in Canada. Community would amalgamate with Commonwealth Credit Union and Servus Credit Union to form a company with 92 branches from Fort McMurray to Lethbridge. Two-thirds of the members of each institution must approve the move. Community currently has 110,000 members with an asset base of $2.7 billion.

February 27, 2008
Red Deer Home Sells For $1.5 Million
The highest price ever paid for a house sale through MLS (Multiple Listing Service) was completed recently for $1.5 million reports the Red Deer and District Real Estate Board. The 4-bedroom residence in Anders on the Lake built in 2004 includes a backyard pond with a cascading waterfall, a theatre room, a walk-out basement and 2 gas fireplaces. There are currently a half dozen houses listed in the city for $1 million or more.
Olds Eyed for Large Residential Development
A Calgary developer is working on an area structure plan in Olds covering 103 acres for a 667-unit mix of single-family and multi-family residential subdivision and 5-acre commercial site. A series of open spaces would be linked by a trail system. Two town by-laws would need to be amended to allow for some features of the proposal.

February 26, 2008
City Council Approves South Sunnybrook Plan
The South Sunnybrook Area Structure Plan was amended and adopted by Red Deer city council yesterday that included a portion on the east side of the Bower subdivision along a natural area. The plan includes 500 residential units, commercial development, environmental and municipal reserve among other uses. Building permits could be issued by late August.
East City Neighbourhood Plan Passes First Hurdle
The Red Deer municipal planning commission has approved the 119-acre Timberstone Park neighbourhood area structure plan east of 30 Ave. and north of Highway 11. Sharing the quarter section is the College Park subdivision, Balmoral Bible Chapel and 2 private acreages. Once developed, the area will have around 700 residential units including 262 multi-family units, 236 detached homes, 116 narrow lot houses and 82 condominium units. A 7-acre stand of trees and a 10-metre wide strip of trees along the east side of College Park will be preserved. The plan now has to go to city council for final approval. Construction could begin by the end of the year.

February 22, 2008
Cineplex Takes Over Landmark Theatre Project
The multi-screen theatre complex that has been under construction by Landmark Cinemas in Gasoline Alley south of Red Deer has been taken over by Cineplex Entertainment. They will operate the 10-screen entertainment facility under the Galaxy Cinema brand and expect to open in March. Curved screens, stadium seating for 2,000, an interactive games area and automated ticket machines are features that will be maintained. Cineplex also owns the Park Plaza Theatre in Red Deer.
Community Culture Vision Being Developed
An update to the 2001 Red Deer Community Culture Master Plan is underway, now called the Community Culture Vision. Public workshops are expected to generate ideas for the revision. The steering committee hopes to have a plan ready to present to city council in June.
Red Deer College Offers Improved Truck Training Program
The first of its kind in Canada, Red Deer College has received provincial government approval to add Class 1 driver training, shorten the practicum and improve access to student financing to its eight-week Professional Driver Certificate program which works in conjunction with private truck driver schools in Red Deer, Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge. The new program will allow an additional 25 hours of training behind the wheel and raises the standard of training.

February 21, 2008
Blackfalds Taxes Up 2.5%
The town of Blackfalds has passed its 2008 operating and capital budgets that will result in a 2.5% increase in taxes for the town's residents. The capital budget includes completion of the $7.6 million water reservoir and completion of the $5.1 million upgrade to the sanitary sewer system.
Red Deer County Firefighters Win Contest
The firefighters of Red Deer County sold the most 'The Fire Within' calendars raising $12,600 toward the $420,000 raised throughout the province that goes toward training and equipment. The county and runner-up Rocky Mountain House were awarded the prize of sending two firefighters to the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana from April 7 to 12. The county fire department was also one of four awarded thermal imaging cameras to help find victims trapped in fires.

February 20, 2008
Proposed Biofuels Plant Could Benefit Livestock Producers
The proposed $400 million biofuels plant north of Innisfail could not only benefit grain farmers in the area, but also livestock producers, claimed a director of Alberta Ethanol and Biodiesel Group at an open house in Innisfail. The plant process creates two byproducts -- distillers grain and canola meal -- that are cheaper substitutes for cattle corn. Additional land was recently purchased to build a road that would alleviate traffic congestion on Highway 2A. Permits from Alberta Environment and the Energy Resources Conservation Board are expected in the spring and construction could start this summer.

February 19, 2008
City Intersection Improvements to Cost $10 Million
The intersection of Gaetz Ave. and 32 St. is one of the busiest in Red Deer and is about to undergo $10 million in improvements that will include closing of some service roads, new access to some businesses, additional lanes on both streets, sidewalks and double left-turn lanes at the intersection itself. If approved by city council in March, construction should start in June and be mostly completed by fall.
Blackfalds-Lacombe 2A Corridor Plan to be Reviewed
A controversial plan for the future development of the Highway 2A corridor between Blackfalds and Lacombe is being reviewed after an open house revealed several concerns with the plan. The steering committee, including consultants and representatives from the towns of Lacombe and Blackfalds and Lacombe County, is expected to meet to address concerns. A revamped plan is expected to go to a formal public hearing and adopted by spring. Meanwhile, a fringe development plan east of the corridor has been adopted by Lacombe County.

February 16, 2008
Lacombe County Moves on Horse Race Track
Alberta Downs Horse Racing and Entertainment Centre is one step closer to reality with the passing by Lacombe County of first reading of two rezoning bylaws. The $10-$12 million project on a 142-acre site near Highway 12 and alongside Highway 2 west of Lacombe, will include sand and gravel tracks with a grandstand entertainment centre featuring up to 150 slot machines. Ten barns for up to 400 horses, paddocks, jockey area, offices and an RV area for horse owners are also proposed. A full racing season would feature about 50 races, mostly on weekends, on the B class track. The developers hope to have sufficient construction completed by July to hold a few races this year.
Author to Speak at College in March
Author and journalist Peter C. Newman will be giving a lecture at Red Deer College entitled "Making Facts Dance: the New Journalism and How it Will Change Our Lives" on March 12. It is the 12th lecture of the 'Perspectives: Canada in the World' series presented by the Humanities and Social Sciences department of the college, launched in 2002, that features internationally recognized speakers talking about issues that are important to Red Deer and beyond.

Top of page
 

Directories:
- Business
- Community

Home                 The Central Alberta Region | Communities of the Region | Accommodation
Attractions | Recreation | Community Life | Business & Economy | Shopping | Dining | History
Convention & Hospitality | Campgrounds | Transportation | Climate | Geology | Regional Map
Recent & Archived News | Coming Events | Population Statistics         Contact Us | Site Map

Published by AbundanceNet
Springbrook, Alberta, Canada
© Copyright 2008 AbundanceNet
All Rights Reserved.