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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).
May 2008 Part 2
May 31, 2008
Municipality Group Seeks to Secure Future Water Supply
The Red Deer River Municipal Users Group, representing 40 municipalities
within the Red Deer River watershed, recently completed the Water
Assurance Study which reviewed present and projected demands on the
river and came up with a series of recommendations to protect water
supplies. Lobbying the provincial government to set aside some of the
water reserved for the province be directed to municipalities for future
water security is one of the top recommendations. Under the current
system, all of the water beyond Red Deer River's allowable allocation is
reserved for the Crown, set at 35% of annual median flow. At least half
the annual flow must go through to Saskatchewan leaving only 15% for
allocation. Another recommendation is exploring the potential of storing
more water within the watershed to be used in times of drought. The
group also wants to push water conservation to the front of municipal
agendas. The primary goal of the group is to take a long-term view of
water needs in the watershed for at least the next 50 years. They are
also working with the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance which is
preparing a State of the Watershed report for the area covering 49,000
sq. km.
May 30, 2008
Chamber Sets Policies on Transportation,
Agriculture, Land Use
The Red Deer Chamber of Commerce presented policy initiatives to the
Alberta Chamber last weekend related to land use, agriculture and
transportation. A proposal was adopted for a comprehensive policy plan
governing the use of water, land and other resources supported by
science that would help ensure agricultural growth and environmental
protection. Another policy that was adopted suggests that a system for
creating and selling carbon offset credits be expanded so that farmers
have a greater incentive to adopt practices and technologies that reduce
greenhouse gases. Another policy urged the development of a rapid
transportation corridor between Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton that
would act as a spine from which other regional transportation systems
would connect. Three other chambers submitted policy statements on high
speed rail. The provincial body will combine the four proposals into a
single policy. The Red Deer Chamber also co-sponsored a policy urging
growth of the arts to help attract workers.
Annual Country Drive Expanded to Two Weekends
The organizers of the annual Country Drive rural business promotion have
decided to expand the event to two weekends instead of just one. The
Spring Country Drive (June 7,8) is expected to involve 11 sites while
the Summer Country Drive (Aug. 2,3) will involve about 20. The public is
invited to take self-guided tours through a variety of farm-based or
rural enterprises and attractions ranging from a U-pick operation and
guest ranch to an antique shop and a sun maze. The two drives will allow
operators to showcase their goods and services in the season that best
suits them.
May 29, 2008
Student Population Could Increase 25% in 14 Years
The Red Deer district student population is projected to increase from
9,700 to 12,000 by 2022 according to Human Resources for Alberta
Education. One of the biggest growth areas is in kindergarten to Grade 3
where another 800 students could be added to the current 2,700 sitting
in city classrooms. This year alone the district had a 12% growth in
kindergarten enrolment. The district already needs to build four new
schools in the next few years. Another challenge is training enough new
teachers to meet the projected demand. The province currently recruits
about 800 teachers from outside Alberta.
Site Work Begins on Michener Hill Village
Initial site work began this week on the $65 million Michener Hill
Village seniors housing complex which is being built on 15 acres in east
Red Deer directly west of the Clearview subdivision and north of Ross
St. In spite of a wetland being dug up, planners say they have worked
hard to maintain the site's environmental integrity. An extensive wooded
ravine area will be protected. When finished, the project, a partnership
between the David Thompson Health Unit, Extendicare and Medican, will
have 220 continuing care beds, 60 supportive living beds, plus a
148-suite condominium building and 40 townhouses.
City Gets More Funding for Affordable Housing
The City of Red Deer is receiving an additional $1.5 million from the
province this year for housing initiatives geared toward lower income
people. Along with the $2.5 million previously promised by the province,
the city will be receiving a total of $4 million, creating more
opportunities for groups seeking to provide new affordable housing
projects.
May 28, 2008
Aviation Museum to Celebrate Former Penhold Base
The creation of an air force training centre in 1939, most recently
remembered as CFB Penhold, reshaped the future of the city of Red Deer
and the surrounding area for several decades. A group of dedicated
volunteers have formed the Harvard Historical Aviation Society to
commemorate and celebrate the impact of the Penhold base on the local
economy and culture. The society is working toward building a heritage
centre in Springbrook and was recently given 10 acres of land in the
hamlet by Red Deer County for the project. Interactive displays and
youth programs are included in the society's plans as is the hope that
the first phase of the museum will open in 2009. The base was used as a
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facility during the Second World
War. After being closed for a few years, the base re-opened in 1952 as a
NATO training facility and communications centre. At the same time,
Private Members Quarters, an elementary school and recreation complex
were built and was named Mynarski Park after Victoria Cross recipient
Andrew Mynarski. In the early 1960's, the 'Diefenbunker' was built as a
secure area for housing provincial and local leaders in the event of a
crisis. The airport was handed over to the city of Red Deer in 1965 and
the base was renamed CFB Penhold in 1966. The base was closed in 1995
and redeveloped as the hamlet of Springbrook.
May 27, 2008
Heritage Recognition Awards Presented to Four Projects
The 2008 Red Deer Heritage Recognition Awards were presented at Red Deer
County Centre yesterday. This year's four project recipients included
Bruce and Trish Buckley for their restoration of the Manning residence
built in 1910 adjacent to downtown Red Deer, Central Alberta Historica
School Fairs Project which gives grade 4 to 9 students the opportunity
to research and share Canadian history and culture with the public, the
Johnstons at Valley Crest Farm who restored the Icelandic Idunn Library
near Markerville built in 1891, and the Red Deer County Heritage Survey
and Inventory. Other nominees included Robyn Hills B & B and Guest
Ranch, Talk of the Town Facade Restoration, Wadson Block Facade
Restoration, Modelling a Century along the Medicine River, The Little
Village That Grew - a history of North Red Deer, and the City of Red
Deer Heritage Management Plan. Recipients in previous years have
included the CPR Rail Bridge, the Old CPR Railway Station, the Old Court
House, Cronquist House, North Cottage School, Downtown Ghost Program,
Innisfail Natural Area, Holy Trinity Anglican Church at Pine Lake,
Hamlet of Markerville, Sunnybrook Farm Museum, Danish Canadian National
Museum & Gardens at Dickson, Double Tree Village Museum and several
others.
Fundraising for Health Region Will Stay in Region
The David Thompson Health Regional Authority has been assured by the new
provincial interim health board that money raised through donations and
fundraising activities in Red Deer, Olds, Lacombe, Ponoka or any other
Central Alberta health facility will stay in each community. There had
been some concern that, as a result of the provincial government
eliminating all regional health boards to create a single provincial
board, money raised locally would be used in other parts of the
province. For the 2007-08 fiscal year, David Thompson Health Region
Foundation raised a little over $4 million. Red Deer hospital's biggest
annual fundraiser, the Festival of Trees, pulled in $1.1 million in
2007. The funds go to purchasing equipment that would not be funded by
the province.
May 26, 2008
Red Deer Museum Prepares for Future
The Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery is revitalizing itself by digitizing
its collection, modernizing its space and revamping its website. The
changes are aimed at making the museum a vital element within the
community interpreting the history of the region and bringing the
culture, art and ideas of the world to Red Deer. A collections plan is
being developed as is the ability to share its collection through
virtual exhibitions online. Plans are also underway to renovate the
exhibition space, creating one open 10,000 sq. ft. space, separated by
modular walls and install computerized lighting controls.
May 22, 2008
Historic North Cottage Still Serving as School
The North Cottage School in Riverside Meadows was built in 1912 in what
was then known as the Village of North Red Deer. It was operated as a
school until 1966 when it was opened to community meetings and a
classroom for Red Deer College. In 1989, it was renovated and restored,
after being designated as a historical resource by the provincial
government. Since then, it has used by one of the Red Deer Public School
District's high school alternative programs. There are a maximum of 32
students enrolled. It is one of many historic buildings highlighted
during the annual Historic Red Deer Week May 24-31.
Dairy Farm Set to Become One of Biggest
A Central Alberta dairy west of Penhold has applied to the Natural
Resources Conservation Board for approval to increase the herd from 400
to 900 cows. This could make it the largest dairy herd in the province
but not in Canada. The lower mainland of British Columbia has herds of
over 1,500 cows. The average sized herd in Alberta is 110-125 cows.
May 21, 2008
Westerner Park Announces Major Expansion Plan
An ambitious expansion plan was revealed yesterday that would make Red
Deer's Westerner Park Western Canada's premier centre for sports,
entertainment, trade shows, meetings and conferences within the next 20
years. The first phase, called the $2.5-$3 million Gateway Project,
includes the new Donald administration building north of the Centrium,
expected to start construction at the end of July. Jack and Joan Donald
had announced previously their contribution of $1.5 million toward the
project. The overall plan will double the size of the park by adding 115
acres of the city's abandoned landfill site that will include a
conservation park, off-leash dog park, pathways along Piper Creek and
additional parking. Other plans include expanding the seating at the
Centrium from 6,000 to 10,000, constructing a grandstand and attracting
a 200-suite hotel. The Westerner held its first country fair in downtown
Red Deer in 1899 and moved to its current location in 1981.
Waskasoo Park to Enhance Maskepetoon Natural Area
Red Deer city council has approved the Maskepetoon Park Master Plan that
charts $2.4 million in improvements to the treed 30-acre portion of
Waskasoo Park north of the Red Deer River immediately east of Highway
QE2. The plan will capitalize on the natural landscape which includes a
steep and scenic riverbank by adding several boardwalks, stairs,
deck-style viewing areas, interpretive signs, paved trails, boundary
fences, pedestrian bridges, paved parking lot and washroom. Maskepetoon
Natural Area is named after Chief Maskepetoon, a Cree leader who was
known as a peacemaker. After the development of the natural area, the
city will expand the park system upstream and downstream into the city's
new growth areas.
Proposed Military Air Museum Gets County Support
The Harvard Historical Aviation Society got more than it asked for
yesterday when Red Deer County council agreed to provide up to 10 acres
of land in Springbrook for the creation of a future military aviation
museum that will celebrate the history of the former CFB Penhold air
base from the Second World War until its closure in 1995 with special
emphasis on the Cold War NATO period. It is expected that the museum
will be built in phases, likely beginning in the next year. The land is
located north of Airport Drive and east of the new fire hall. The
proposed Springbrook Heritage Urban Design Plan suggests that the
Springbrook community could be developed around a heritage aviation
theme.
Heritage Diner Manufacturing Setting Up in New Business Park
Shaw International is moving its heritage diner manufacturing plant from
Eckville to the new Queens Business Park west of Highway QE2 immediately
north of the Burnt Lake Business Park and setting up a 1940's diner
restaurant at the same location. The company has orders to make 19 of
the old-fashioned cafe cars for customers in British Columbia, Alberta
and Saskatchewan. Four cars are being built to replicate diners that
were often made out of decommissioned railway cars. One of the 50-seat
diners will be operating next to the manufacturing facility in about two
months. Each car is estimated to cost about $300,000 to construct.
Dawe Recreation Complex to Cost an Additional $2 Million
Red Deer city council has approved an additional $2 million, mostly due
to increased cost of construction materials, for the Dawe Community
Centre revitalization project bringing the revised cost up to $30
million for the north side recreation complex. Features include two
waterslides, a new splash pool, a public gymnasium, small fitness area,
multi-purpose rooms and a larger library. The complex also includes both
public and Catholic schools that will also be undergoing renovations.
Red Deer County Identifies Heritage Sites
About 30 potential heritage sites have been identified by Red Deer
County from 88 sites originally examined in a heritage survey and
inventory. A heritage management plan will be developed to provide an
application process to list sites as historically significant. Among
sites making the list are the Alberta Central Railway trestle across the
Red Deer River, the former CFB Headquarters building in Springbrook,
Antler Hill, Mission Hill, the Crossing Cairn at Fort Normandeau,
Benalto Hardware Store, Blair's General Store in Lousana, Alberta
Pacific Grain Elevator in Lousana, Dickson School, Hola School near
Markerville as well as historic homes, churches, structures, businesses
and community facilities.
May 20, 2008
Red Deer Public Market Launches Summer Activity Season
Thousands of people and over 200 vendors took advantage of good weather
on Saturday to take part in one of Alberta's largest public markets
located close to Red Deer's downtown. The 38th annual event runs every
week until Thanksgiving from 8 am to 12:30 pm.
Bandemonium Attracts 600 Marching Musicians
The Festival of Champions Bandemonium was held on Sunday at the Centrium
in Red Deer's Westerner Park. Over 600 musicians in five marching bands,
including the host Red Deer Royals and bands from Calgary, performed for
an appreciative crowd and judges.
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