NEWS of the Red Deer Region - March 16-31, 2008

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

March 31, 2008
Regional Water Plant Requests New Intake Location
Operators of the Anthony Henday water treatment plant, located near Innisfail on the Red Deer River, is requesting that the provincial government approve the relocation of the intake to Glennifer Lake, a large reservoir behind the Dickson Dam upstream from the current location. The Mountain View Regional Water Services Commission is made up of six towns between Innisfail and Crossfield. Problems occur in the spring with particles running into the Red Deer River from the Little Red Deer and Medicine Rivers clogging the intake. The move would require 15 km of pipeline. Overall capacity of the system needs to be expanded as a result of a significant increase in population along the corridor as well as other municipalities wanting to tie into the system.
Major City Recreation Facility Closes for Renovations
The G.H. Dawe Community Centre in north Red Deer is closing for up to two years for a $28 million renovation. Upgrades will include two waterslides, a new gymnasium and improved hot tubs, fitness and common areas, library, office space and swimming pool. Total space will be boosted by 33,000 sq. ft. and the exterior appearance will be enhanced. The two schools attached to the centre will continue as usual but will also undergo some renovations. Displaced swimmers will be able to use pools at the downtown Recreation Centre, the Collicutt Centre and the Michener Centre.

March 29, 2008
Solar Home Includes Power Back to Grid
Red Deer MP Bob Mills, an advocate for the environment since the 1960's, has expanded and remodelled his farm house with two power meters -- one for power bought from the grid and one for power sold into the grid. The southwest roof on the addition is angled at 51 degrees, roughly matching the property's latitude, to give the maximum possible exposure to the sun for the 28 solar panels, each capable of generating 208 watts of electricity. It will be the first home in Alberta to have gone through an exhausting regulatory process in order to sell into the grid, just to prove it can be done, says Mills. Mills also claims that if 10% of homes made their own electricity, it would supply the increased power needs of the province well into the future.
Mills Recalls Career Highlights So Far
At a Red Deer Chamber of Commerce luncheon, retiring MP Bob Mills reminisced about his career as a teacher, travel consultant and politician to a group of about 100 business people. In February, the 66-year-old parliamentarian announced he would not seek re-election in the next federal election. During his 15 years in office, Mills represented Red Deer under the banner of the Reform Party, the Canadian Alliance and the Conservatives. His political duties took him to China, Brazil, Russia, Afghanistan, India, Bosnia and other countries. His legacy includes the longest speech ever made by a Commonwealth parliamentarian concerning the Kyoto Accord, the passing of "Lisa's Law" concerning children visiting a pedophile parent and the promotion of plasma gasification of garbage.

March 28, 2008
Airport Gets $2.1 Million for Runway Lights Upgrade
A $2.1 million federal grant from the Airports Capital Assistance Program has been provided to upgrade runway lighting at the Red Deer Regional Airport. The funding will be used to replace the edge lighting along taxiways and aprons as well as the runways. It will also be used to improve signage for pilots and to obtain a new slope indicator system for incoming planes. Work is expected to be completed by fall. Federal and provincial funding has also been received by Red Deer County to upgrade the water and sewer lines at the airport and the rest of Springbrook. Also on the wish list is an extension of the main runway from 1,685 metres (5,528 ft.) to 2,133 metres (7,000 ft.) to allow larger aircraft to use the airport.
College Develops Biodiesel Processing Unit
Red Deer College has developed a biodiesel processing unit that changes waste canola oil into biodiesel. The units can produce as much as 300 litres of fuel a week. Biodiesel has 68% less greenhouse gas emissions than regular diesel. Units will cost an estimated $10,000 once the final design is put into production in Central Alberta, possibly within six months. The fuel can be used in any diesel engine, except for vehicles built before 1980.
Sylvan Lake High-End Condos Progressing Well
A 4-storey, 38-suite condominium project currently under construction a few blocks off Sylvan Lake's waterfront is expected to be completed by this fall. The five different layouts in the Watermark complex will have about 1,200 sq. ft. and have two bedrooms. Twenty-four units of the upscale project have already been sold.

March 27, 2008
Civic Yard Relocation Opens Window of Opportunity
The relocation of Red Deer's civic yards from the downtown riverfront will open up 24 acres of land for redevelopment over the next few years. This creates a window of opportunity for the city to create a world-class tourist destination, according to the chairman of the tourism sub-committee of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce. The committee has been working on the possibility of building a canal system and event venue modelled after a similar project in San Antonio, Texas. With the civic yard relocation to start later this year or early next, there is an urgency to make important decisions on the future of the vacated lands. Water for the canals would be pumped up and returned to the Red Deer River. It would act as a year round activity centre with boats in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Studies will be needed to determine costs, engineering, economic impact, architectural design, landscaping and environmental impact.

March 26, 2008
City Moves Toward More Pedestrian Friendly City
Red Deer city council has amended a bylaw requiring new commercial and multi-family residential developments to build ramps and obstruction-free sidewalks including through parking lots. Existing commercial and multi-family development must abide by the same requirements if major expansion or renovations are done. There will also be improved linkages to transit stops. Civic buildings undergoing renovations will also be bound by the bylaw.
Report Recommends Sylvan Lake Economic Strategy
Sylvan Lake town council has received a report recommending an economic strategy to guide future industrial, business and tourist development. The report has a wealth of information that, once analyzed, will assist in the town developing policies that will determine what kind of development the town wants to attract.

March 24, 2008
Agricultural Economics Conference to be Held in Red Deer
Visions 2008, the Alberta Agricultural Economics Association's 25th annual conference, planned for Red Deer May 1 and 2, will feature speakers from Canada, the United States and Europe with presentations focusing on biotechnology, production risk and sustainability. Discussion will include the risks and opportunities of biofuels for Canadian producers and opportunities related to wind energy. The sustainability theme will focus on land and water, including issues facing irrigation.

March 22, 2008
Airport Plan Includes Service Expansion and Lot Development
The Red Deer Regional Airport Authority has responded to concerns of the newly-resurrected Red Deer Regional Airport Business Association by restating its strategy for success. The long-term plan includes expanding passenger service, updating the infrastructure and developing new lots on airport land. One of the necessary requirements of expansion is additional road access on the airport's north side. Another is federal grants for runway lighting, runway expansion and terminal expansion, all of which are expected in the future. A 2007 survey of 1,000 area residents indicated that 91% would consider using the airport if destinations interested them and 70% would be willing to pay a premium to fly from Red Deer rather than driving to Calgary or Edmonton to catch a flight. The airport's key stakeholders (City of Red Deer, Red Deer County and Red Deer Chamber of Commerce) are funding a case study to determine the future direction of the facility. Scheduled air service is currently being provided by Northwestern Air to destinations north of Red Deer. The authority is looking for additional service east and west of the city.
New Galaxy Theatre Opens in Gasoline Alley
A new 10-screen Galaxy movie theatre complex opened Friday in Gasoline Alley south of Red Deer with rave reviews of the modern facility. The theatre offers pizza, chicken tenders and frozen yogurt in addition to the usual theatre treats. It has 2,000 stadium seats, wall-to-wall curved screens, digital surround sound, an interactive games area, party room and automated ticket kiosks. The theatre is located close to Costco, Staples, Ashley Furniture and several other retail businesses.

March 21, 2008
Naturalists Give Tentative Support for Riverwalk Canal Project
The Red Deer River Naturalists have given tentative support for the Riverwalk proposal to build canals as part of the Riverlands redevelopment but they are not in favour of linking the canals to Waskasoo Creek. They also want assurance that the beauty of the river valley is not ruined by the project, that the escarpment is not damaged, that natural vegetation is not removed or the riverside cycling trail disrupted. The Riverwalk project, proposed by the tourism committee of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, would create a major tourist attraction and act as a catalyst for a unique form of commercial, residential and cultural development. There is no intention to harm the environment or local waterways and if done properly, could benefit the creek by providing a steady flow of water. Several studies will be completed, funding lined up and city support achieved before the project will proceed.
Golden Circle Addition and Upgrades to Start Soon
The staff at the Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre is preparing to move to the Red Deer Curling Club facility in order for the construction of a 1,600 ft. addition to the city-owned 30-year-old building and upgrading the remainder of the facility. The $2.5 million project is expected to be completed by the end of September and will include an extended and upgraded kitchen, a wheelchair lift between the basement and first floor, upgrades of the mechanical and electrical systems, a new entrance and additional handicapped parking stalls.
New Regional Marketing Plan Introduced
The Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP), an organization representing 42 member municipalities, has introduced its new regional brand "Central Alberta -- the Natural Choice". The chosen concept is based on the idea that collectively, the municipalities of the region offer everything large cities offer while the rural character offers a safe and healthy environment with much natural beauty. Two member municipalities have also released their new slogans. The town of Bowden's new slogan is "Access Bowden" partly due to its proximity to the Highway 2 corridor. The new slogan for the village of Alix is "Where Less is More" playing on the idea that a small community avoids the disadvantages of a large city.

March 19, 2008
Merger Will Create Canada's 3rd Largest Credit Union
Members of Community Savings overwhelmingly voted in favour of merging with Servus Credit Union and Common Wealth Credit Union to create the largest credit union in Alberta and the 3rd largest in Canada. Community was the final institution to approve the merger that will come into effect on November 1. The new unnamed credit union will have 92 branches in 63 communities, 1,925 employees, 400,000 members and assets valued at $9 billion. The new 12-member board of directors will select a president and CEO by May, build a strategic plan, determine a name and decide on the location of its head office.
Sunnybrook Farm Museum to Acquire Historic School
The Red Deer municipal planning commission has approved site preparation for the move of the historic Calder school to the Sunnybrook Farm Museum. The 76-year-old one-room building, currently located 20 km. east of Innisfail, will be moved to the city museum within two years. The school was used as a community hall after it closed in 1956 but has been vacant for several years. Once on site, the building and area around it will undergo some improvements.

March 18, 2008
City May Moderate Stand on Office Development
Except for small real estate and medical businesses, office buildings in Red Deer have only been allowed to be built in the downtown in order to maintain the city centre's viability and integrity, claim planners. However, consideration is being given to allowing office buildings in new "town centres" such as the one to be built around the intersection of 30 Ave. and 67 St. that would have a strong commercial and residential component. Mixed office-commercial-residential buildings will also be encouraged in the soon-to-be-redeveloped Riverlands area west of the downtown near the river. Some developers want to see the regulations relaxed further to allow office buildings in any commercially-zoned area in the city.
East City Apartment Building Approved
A 4-storey, 141-unit apartment building has been approved by the Red Deer municipal planning commission for the Vanier Woods subdivision in the southeast side of the city. The building will consist of 29 one-bedroom units and 112 two-bedroom units with a large green space north of the site.

March 17, 2008
Massive Joint Planning Initiative Begins Public Process
More than 500 people jammed into a meeting room on Saturday to see what the City of Red Deer and Red Deer County hope to accomplish with their Joint Planning Initiative. Surrounding the city's west, north and east sides, the initiative sets out to develop a Major Area Structure Plan coving about 140,000 acres of land, the largest such plan in Alberta's history. The plan reaches far beyond the Intermunicipal Development Plan struck last year between the two municipalities, but excludes Gasoline Alley, Springbrook and the Red Deer Regional Airport which are included in another major area structure plan. The initiative sets out growth areas for both municipalities and and defines land use principles that enable them to co-ordinate growth and development up to a city population of 300,000. The next step is bringing stakeholders and the general public into a visioning workshop on April 19, followed by design charettes in May.
Guest Regional Planner and Author Suggests New Thinking for Growth
The guest speaker at the City/County Joint Planning Initiative on Saturday was well-known author and conservation regional planner, Randall Arendt, who suggested that a major change of thinking is required for sustainable regional planning and growth. In his address on the greening of rural development, he said the idea of '80 houses on a quarter section of land means that each property has 2 acres' is inefficient, ugly, environmentally unsound and ultimately, unsustainable. A typical 5-acre rural residential property is too big to mow, too small to farm and discourages a sense of community. New rural subdivisions need to have houses closer together on smaller lots on a portion of available land with the remainder of the quarter section left as an open space for recreation, agriculture or wildlife but never allowed for further housing or commercial use. The concept encourages more open space, saves money on infrastructure and maintains the value of the overall land parcel for the developer as people are willing to pay a premium for property close to green amenities.

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