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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).
April 2008 Part 2
April 30, 2008
Hot Tub Dealer to Move into Brick Building
Beachcomber Hot Tubs and Patio is relocating to the building currently
occupied by the Brick on Gaetz Ave. near 67 St. The Brick is preparing
to move to their new location at 22 St. and Taylor Drive before the end
of summer. The space for Beachcomber will dramatically increase from
5,600 sq. ft. to 30,000 sq. ft. The move will also result in a name
change to Harbour Spas Home and Leisure to reflect the growing range of
products that include patio furniture, gazebos, saunas, barbecues and
fire pits.
Farm Credit Moving to Larger Premises
The financial services firm Farm Credit Canada is moving from its
current location on Gaetz Ave. to a commercial building under
construction north of Taylor Plaza that will double its size. The new
premises will have an eye-catching layout, with 22 foot ceilings and
agricultural murals. It will occupy 4 of the 10 bays contained in the
new building. Another bay will contain a pizzeria.
April 29, 2008
Average Red Deer Tax Increase Settles at 7%
Red Deer City Council has approved an average property tax hike of 7%,
considered by councillors to be fair considering inflation and growth
pressures. Last year's increase was 6.2%. The city will be hiring five
more fire-medics and eight more RCMP officers this year. The biggest
department budget is Recreation, Parks and Culture. Construction
projects include a new parkade, renovations to the Dawe Centre and
expansion of the north side fire/police station. The education tax rate
increase is 5.2%; the municipal tax increase is about 8.7% resulting in
the blended rate of 7%.
April 28, 2008
Central Alberta Colleges to Recruit More Students
Two Central Alberta colleges are expanding their marketing efforts both
geographically and media-wise to attract more students to their growing
campuses. Red Deer College hopes to attract between 350 and 700 new
students with their campaign in Edmonton and Calgary as well as
regionally with promotions in movie theatres, buses, radio, newspapers
and even bathrooms. Olds College is running a more targeted campaign in
Calgary to promote its land and water resources and land administration
programs.
April 26, 2008
College Expansions Will Generate Millions to Regional
Economy
Major expansions at Red Deer College and Olds College are expected to
attract large numbers of new residents and pump millions of dollars into
the Red Deer Region's economy according to educational leaders speaking
at the Community Leader's Networking Breakfast yesterday in Lacombe. The
event was sponsored by the Central Alberta Economic Partnership
consisting of 39 communities working together to promote regional
development. Red Deer College is undergoing a $110 million expansion
that will include a 150,000 sq. ft. Centre for Trades and Technology,
expected to be completed by early 2009, and an even larger health and
wellness centre, expected to start construction by the end of the year.
Once the project is completed, the college will have doubled in size.
Meanwhile, Olds College is well into a $60 million Community Learning
Campus expansion including the recent opening of the Bell eLearning
Centre, a future arts centre and the current construction of a joint-use
high school. Olds College also has a satellite campus in Calgary.
April 25, 2008
Airport Authority Seeks
Jazz Flights to Vancouver
At
its Annual General Meeting last night, the Red Deer Regional Airport
Authority announced that it was making a presentation to Air Canada Jazz
to encourage them to offer three flights per day from Red Deer to
Vancouver, using 37-seat or 50-seat Dash 8 aircraft. They are also
promoting the idea of Jazz flights to Saskatoon to connect with other
Canadian destinations. A 2007 study showed Central Albertans bought
232,000 airline tickets but only 1,000 flew out of Red Deer, mostly due
to the lack of consistent convenient passenger service. The remainder flew out of Calgary
or Edmonton with the most common destination being
Vancouver. A major study being funded by Red Deer County, City of Red Deer and Red Deer Chamber of
Commerce will outline the
options available for all aspects of the airport including passenger
service, land development, leasing and employment opportunities. An area
structure plan will be required in order to proceed with further
development of the 700 acres of airport lands.
Another Sylvan Lake Summer Village Seeks Annexation
The Summer Village of Birchcliff on the east side of Sylvan Lake has
initiated informal annexation options with Lacombe County. The 125
permanent resident community, that more than doubles in the summer, is
seeking clarification from the county on land use plans around the lake
and county expectations if the summer village wants to control its
growth. The demand for housing around the lake has been very strong for
the past few years and is not expected to diminish. Another summer
village (Norglenwold) on the south side of the lake is seeking a
significant amount of land from Red Deer County.
Parkland Buys Noco Fuel Supply and Marketing in Ontario
Red Deer-based Parkland Income Fund, operators of FasGas and RaceTrack
fuel stations and Short Stop convenience stores at 530 locations in
Western Canada as well as Wiebe Transport and the Bowden refinery, has
struck a $8.5 million deal to buy 56 independently-owned fuel stations
in Ontario operated by Noco Energy Canada and 69 wholesale accounts.
Shoppers Drug Mart Anchors Rocky Commercial Development
A new commercial development
on the former site of Will Sinclair High School in Rocky Mountain House
has started preliminary work for a Shoppers Drug Mart and several other
smaller stores and businesses. The Shoppers Drug Mart will be located in
a 17,000 sq. ft. building and the other stores will occupy a 13,000 sq.
ft. building that will include a fast-food restaurant, a fashion-related
store, a medical office and other businesses. Most of the businesses are
expected to be open by the end of the year.
April 24, 2008
Drilling Forecast Rises Due to Increased Natural Gas Prices
The Petroleum Services Association of Canada has revised its drilling
forecast in October upward from 14,500 wells to 16,500 wells, about 70%
of which will be in Alberta. The remainder will be in British Columbia,
Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The drilling forecast is still down from the
18,557 wells in 2007 and well below the record drilling of 24,800 wells
in 2005. The association is projecting a natural gas price of $8.50 per
thousand cubic feet, $2 higher than the figure used in October. It also
revised its West Texas Intermediate oil price projection from US$78 a
barrel to US$95.
Proposed West Country Scenic Trail Seeks Provincial Support
Clearwater County is seeking provincial support in sorting access issues
related to a proposed 120-km scenic and historic trail between Rocky
Mountain House and Nordegg that would be built on the former Canadian
Northern Western Railway (later Canadian National) railbed abandoned in
1955 when the price and demand for coal dropped. Support for the trail
is growing and the county has already committed $250,000 toward the
$1-$2 million expected to be required to complete the trail. Deck
planking on three trestles and overhauling sections where railway ties
are still in place are some of the more costly aspects in making the
trail a safe reality for hikers and mountain bikers. The tourism
potential is projected to be significant, once built over the next
several years.
April 23, 2008
City to Extend Northland Drive Over Three Years
A city plan to extend Northland Drive from the Highway 11A/2A
intersection east across the Red Deer River to connect with the 30
Ave./67 St. (Highway 11) intersection will take the next 3 years and
cost around $100 million. The project represents the first phase of an
ambitious 30-year plan to build a ring road expressway around the east
side of the city linking Highways 11A, 11, 2A in the north to Delburne
Road (19 St./Hwy. 595) and Highway QE2 in the south. About 80 people
watched a presentation at an open house yesterday to check out
functional design, staging and objectives of the overall plan. It is
anticipated that the city's population will have hit 188,000 by the time
the project is complete. The 2-lane river bridge is expected to start
construction later this year, completed in 2011 and grow to 4 lanes by
2017. Sections of 20 Ave. will be built between 2011 and 2017 as 2 lanes
and expanded to 6 lanes over the following 25 years. Efforts will be
made to protect wildlife corridors during and after construction.
Red Deer River Watershed to be Examined
The Red Deer River Watershed Alliance is seeking public input as the
next stage in determining the river's health and function. Water
quality, quantity, land use and biodiversity are being examined to
establish a baseline for future reference by identifying indicators, 22
of which have been identified so far. The watershed covers 49,000 sq. km
and includes 19 municipal districts and counties, and 50 cities, towns,
villages and summer villages. It stretches through Central Alberta from
the Rockies to the Saskatchewan border near Oyen, south to Brooks, and
north to Bashaw. Its diversity includes boreal forest, mountain head
waters, short grass prairie and everything in between. It also includes
much of the southern half of the Edmonton-Calgary corridor where a large
amount of the province's growth is occurring. The State of the Watershed
report will be completed by June 2009.
Livestock Emergency Response Unit Wins Award
The first of its kind in Alberta, a livestock emergency response
trailer, developed by Red Deer County and designed to rescue large
animals that have been involved in collisions or rollovers, has won the
Alberta Farm Animal Care's 2008 Innovation Award. The unit contains the
equipment needed to restrain and contain livestock at the scene of a
crash and includes an 8,000 watt generator, light stands, portable
corrals, ropes, halters, buckets, water, disposable coveralls and
various other materials. Potentially, over six million livestock move
through the county every year.
Hotel, Apartments Included in Rimbey Development
Plans for a 30-acre subdivision south of the Rimbey Hospital and Care
Centre include a 60-unit Best Western hotel with a waterslide and
swimming pool and two three- or four-storey apartment buildings.
Additional multi-family housing is also proposed plus 40 single-family
lots and 8 acres of retail and commercial development. The hotel is
expected to open in the fall of 2009. The entire Rimstone Ridge
development should unfold over the next five to ten years.
All Lots Purchased in City Housing Lot Draw
About 120 prospective owners and contractors bid on 47 lots located in
Oriole Park Estates and Johnstone Crossing in north Red Deer yesterday.
All but one were single family lots including some that were returned
from a previous lot draw. One lot was won by Habitat for Humanity.
April 22, 2008
City Endorses Regional Wastewater System Plan
The city of Red Deer has endorsed the concept plan for a $300 million
regional wastewater system plan that includes either a new wastewater
treatment plant or expansion of the existing Red Deer plant and 3
transmission lines. The province is expected to give approval and cover
90% of the cost as it fits with the province's Water for Life
conservation strategy. Other municipalities interested in the system
include Innisfail, Penhold, Sylvan Lake, Blackfalds, Lacombe, Bowden,
Olds, the summer villages around Sylvan Lake, Red Deer County, Mountain
View County and Lacombe County. Participating municipalities would share
the remaining 10% of the cost with construction of the first leg from
Innisfail to Springbrook starting as early as this year and the entire
project completed by 2014. The new south line would connect with the
existing Waskasoo line between Penhold and Red Deer in the north and be
extended to Olds to the south.
Value of Farm Land Increases Over 10% in 6 Months
Farm Credit Canada reports that during the last half of 2007, the value
of Alberta farm land increased an average 10.3%. Urban growth and
increased interest in industrial development are considered the main
reasons for the increase. Nationally, the increase in value was 7.7%.
During the first six months of 2007, the value increased 6.4% and in the
previous six months, the value increased by 4.8%. Currently, the average
price per acre of farm land in Alberta is $3,000.
City Offers Rebates for Water-Efficient Toilets
Red Deer city council has approved a rebate program that would give out
$50 to citizens towards the purchase of low-flow six-litre toilets and
$100 towards new dual flush toilets. Only those who replace existing
toilets will qualify. A budget of $40,000 was established which will
accommodate only the first 500 to 800 who apply. High-flow toilets will
be accepted at the city landfill at no charge.
April 21, 2008
Policing Options Discussed by Blackfalds
Since the town of Blackfalds has reached a population of over 5,000, the
town is discussing options for municipal policing that includes creating
its own police force or contracting with the RCMP. In addition, the town
is working to attract the relocation of the Red Deer Rural RCMP
detachment. The RCMP has had an interest in the relocation to the town
due to its proximity to good highways that could reduce response time
considerably. An assessment on the feasibility and cost of such a move
is currently under way.
April 19, 2008
Major Annexation Pursued by Summer Village of Norglenwold
The summer village of Norglenwold, which currently occupies just under
140 acres of land in a strip along the southwestern shore of Sylvan Lake
immediately adjacent to the town, is seeking the annexation of an
additional 428 acres from Red Deer County in order to maintain low
density development. There are current pressures to develop high density
housing in the vicinity of the summer village. Discussions with the town
of Sylvan Lake and Red Deer County will occur prior to the proposal
going any further. There is little precedent for a such a large
annexation by a summer village.
April 17, 2008
Lacombe Museum Gets More Funding From Town
The Lacombe Interpretive Centre, located in the historic downtown Flat
Iron Building, has received an additional $31,000 on top of $28,000
approved in the municipal budget from town council in order to keep the
facility open. The Lacombe Historical Society has suffered from
increased rental and staff expenses and had to close the facility for
the month of April. The funding will also be used to help run the
Michener House Museum and Blacksmith Shop. The town will be reviewing
its long term policy for tourism services and promotion before the end
of the year.
April 16, 2008
Sunnybrook Farm Museum to Start Improvements Soon
More than $300,000 worth of renovations and expansions are planned for
the Sunnybrook Farm Museum in Red Deer over the next two to three years.
Construction will begin soon on a 3-car garage with heated flooring to
protect a 1911 McLaughlin and a Super Six Hudson truck from around the
same era. During the summer a large barn will be renovated to display
antique equipment used in grain elevators. In June, the former Calder
School is scheduled to be moved on site from 20 km east of Innisfail.
The main entrance will be moved from 30 St. to Bremner Ave.
Sylvan Lake Plans to Revitalize Beachfront
Sylvan Lake town council has approved the draft design concept for
ambitious plans to revitalize and improve the beachfront for residents
and the 900,000 tourists that visit annually. The final design is
expected in September after input is received from town residents.
Current plans involve improving Centennial Park and extending it over
the existing Lakeshore Drive, upgrading the stormwater system near the
beach, relocating parking and Lakeshore Drive and creating a wide
promenade to improve access to the lake.
Red Deer County Expenses Rise 14%
Average
residential assessments are up 38%, non-residential up 29% and farm
assessments stayed the same in 2007 compared to the year before,
according to a report presented to Red Deer County council yesterday.
Operating expenses for the county are up 14% ($3.9 million) this year, requiring a
corresponding increase in revenues and an amendment to the
previously-approved budget. Capital expenses are also up to accommodate
an aggressive road improvement program. Although the mill rate in all
categories will be reduced, taxes will likely go up significantly this
year. The actual mill rate will not be set until the county knows what
the provincial education requisition is. Assessment notices will likely
go out May 15 and taxes are due by July 31. Next year, taxes will be due
a month earlier.
Gasoline Alley Traffic to be Studied
Red Deer County is spending $250,000 to study current and future traffic
flows and transportation needs in Gasoline on both the west and east
sides of Highway QE2 south of Red Deer. In spite of considerable
development in the area over the past couple of years, this is the first
time a comprehensive study has been undertaken.
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