|
|
News of the Red Deer Region
snippets and
summaries of news reports from local media
(primarily Red Deer Advocate and Red Deer Express).
August 2008 Part 2
August 30, 2008
Regional Garbage Gasification Deal Signed
Plasco
Energy has signed a long term agreement with the 15-member Central Waste
Management Commission for a waste management project diverting solid
waste from landfills by using a gasification process that can be
converted to electricity. The agreement requires that 200-300 tonnes of
garbage go to the plant each day. An agreement in principal had been
signed in June 2007. The $100 million gasification plant itself will be
funded entirely by Plasco. A tipping fee of $65 per tonne will be
charged to municipalities to cover cost of operation. When the plant
becomes profitable, municipalities will share a portion of the profits.
It will be one of the first commercial plants of its kind in the world
although test plants have been built in Ottawa and Barcelona, Spain. It
will likely be built adjacent to the Horn Hill Waste Transfer site east
of Penhold and Highway 2 and south of Highway 42. There will be no
emissions into the land, water or air and the byproducts include sulphur,
carbon dioxide and a black carbon-based material that can be ground up
and used for construction material. Construction is expected to begin in
the spring of 2009 and be completed one year later.
Lacombe County Population Increases Slightly
A municipal census conducted this year by Lacombe County shows that the
population sits at 10,507, an increase of 57 over the 2006 federal
census. The increase was a little less than expected although a few
people were lost as a result of municipal annexations. Federal and
provincial grant funding is based on population so the increased income
until the next federal census will cover the cost of doing this year's
municipal census.
Construction Starts on New South City Neighbourhood
The new SouthBrook subdivision, one of the last undeveloped quarters on
the city's south side, is now under construction west of 40 Avenue and
north of Living Stones Church. The first phase consists of 40 duplexes,
24 single family houses and a multi family lot. The next stage, slated
to begin this fall, consists of 114 single family homes, 29 of which are
on the west side of Piper Creek next to the Bower subdivision. New
trails will be developed that will link with existing trails along the
creek that is known as a wildlife corridor.
August 29, 2008
Red Deer College Expansion Receives More Provincial Funding
Red Deer College received another $8.1 million to purchase more
equipment for its new Centre for Trades and Technology and Centre for
Innovation and Manufacturing. College board members, students,
administration and local MLAs toured the Centre for Trades and
Technology which will accept its first students in the next two weeks.
The Business Enterprise area, which is part of the Donald School of
Business, will open in the fall. The first trades, manufacturing and
innovation labs will be opening in the next eight weeks. The provincial
government had already provided $57 million for phase one of the
Building Communities Through Learning expansion project.
City North Recreation Complex Upgrade Gets Provincial Funding
The north Red Deer G.H. Dawe Community Centre expansion and renovation
project, already under way, received a $3.7 million injection from the
provincial government yesterday. Funding came from the Major Community
Facilities Program. When the Dawe Centre reopens in the spring of 2010,
it will include a bigger aquatic centre, a community gymnasium, new
multi-purpose rooms, a larger library, a weight-training area and a
child-minding space. The government has already invested in the $30
million project. In the early 1980s, the Dawe was the first recreation
centre in Alberta to be built attached to a Catholic and a public
school. The modernization and expansion will include green components,
such as heat-recovery systems, high-efficiency lighting and
controlled-flow faucets. The school districts will also update the
exteriors of St. Patrick's Community School and G.H. Dawe Elementary
School so the complex has a uniform appearance.
Future of Pine Lake Development Examined
At an open house at Pine Lake yesterday, representatives of Red Deer
County and consultants Urban Lab of Calgary explained the importance of
preserving open space, agricultural land and intact ecological processes
as part of future development around the lake. The concept plan
envisions clusters of development, development of a small commercial
centre and more public access points to the lake. Several concerns were
expressed by the 150 people who attended. Some feel that the lake can't
handle any more boats. Others felt that there is more room for
development but that it needs to be well planned and residents need to
be better informed of proposed plans.
Upgrades to Waskasoo Park Bower Ponds Begin
Work started this week to develop a new playground, serenity garden and
more linkages to existing trails at Bower Ponds in Red Deer's Waskasoo
Park. The playground structure next to the Trans Canada Trail pavilion
will be the largest in the city and will be completed by spring. The
serenity garden north of the ponds will include flower beds and benches.
The project is the first of four gathering places to see improvements
over the next several months. Other areas to see upgrades in the park
will be Heritage Ranch, Three Mile Bend and Riverbend.
Muslim Community Social and Worship Centre Opens
Red Deer's Ismaili community opened its new social and worship centre
downtown yesterday. The new structure was built over the past 15 months
and funded by members of the Ismaili community. The city's 100 members
of the Shia branch of Islam are part of the Ismaili Council for
Edmonton. Dignitaries for the grand opening included city mayor Morris
Flewwelling, Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski and president of the
Edmonton Ismaili Council. The mayor indicated that the facility is
another symbol of the city's diversity and welcoming spirit.
New City Travel Plaza Well Under Way
Construction of the new Flying J Travel Plaza on 67 Street near Highway
2 is well under way. The facility will include a Shell service station,
men's and women's showers, truckers' lounge, convenience store, RV
sanitary dump and propane fueling area.
August 28, 2008
Red Deer's Good Investment Ranking Gets Even Better
The Real Estate Investment Network, a Calgary-based organization that
researches and distributes information about property investment
opportunities, has ranked Red Deer third behind Calgary and Edmonton. A
previous listing in 2006 ranked Red Deer in a three-way tie for 4th. In
2003, the city was ranked with Okotoks in a tie for 5th and in 2002 tied
with Lacombe for 7th. Part of the reason for the city's improved ranking
is its recent economic activity and its strategic location half way
between Calgary and Edmonton.
Home Builder Builds Office West of City
Abbey Master Builder is building an eye-catching 8,500 sq. ft. office in
the Burnt Lake Business Park overlooking Highway QE2 west of the city.
Plans include a clay roof and quarry quartz stone over most of the front
facade. The project is immediately south of another eye-catching office
built by Laebon Homes five years ago. Abbey is also building a 6,500 sq.
ft. five-bay industrial condo and may build three more in the future
that may be used by the company or leased out. The two buildings are
expected to be completed in early 2009.
City Elementary School Enrollments to Increase
Red Deer Public School Division is expecting an increase in school
enrollments this year, especially in kindergarten and grade one, similar
to last year's 12% increase for kindergarten. The trend would keep
enrollments high over the next few years. Over the next five years, an
increase of 1,000 students between kindergarten and grade 5 is expected.
Two more modular classrooms were approved by the provincial government
recently as a temporary measure until a new school is built.
August 27, 2008
Thousands of Trees to be Planted in Red Deer
Volunteers from the city of Red Deer and Devon Canada are in the process
of planting 3,000 aspen saplings at McKenzie Trails Recreation Area in
an effort to reforest a field in the park. The aspen was chosen for its
80-90% survival rate and quick growing characteristics. Over the 80-year
lifespan of the trees, it is expected that the new reforested area will
absorb about 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. A total of 100,000 trees
are planned to be planted in the Red Deer area as part of the program.
Bethany Seniors Housing Complex Moves Forward
A complex housing low-income seniors is expected to start construction
this fall on the east side of CollegeSide on the Red Deer College
grounds. It will contain 50 supportive living units for seniors with 36
units funded through a $3.8 million grant from Alberta Seniors and
Community Supports. Bethany CollegeSide opened in 2004 as a partnership
with the college and the David Thompson Health Region to provide 24-hour
care for 110 seniors. The seniors interact with college students
including student nurses, partake in college activities, attend the Arts
Centre and use the library. The new addition is expected to take 16
months to complete.
Wajax Industries Starts Building in Blackfalds
Sod-turning for a 31,000 sq. ft. building on a six-acre parcel in the
Blackfalds Industrial Park for Wajax Industries took place yesterday.
The facility will be used for sales and servicing of mobile equipment
for the mining, oil and gas, construction, material-handling, forestry
and other industries. The new branch, of 31 in Canada, will be the
largest with staff expected to be around 50 at the outset and up to 150
later. The company plans for a spring 2009 opening.
August 26, 2008
Proposed Medical-Commercial Building Approved
The Red Deer municipal planning commission approved yesterday the
proposed eight-storey $40 million medical-commercial building north of
the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. The upper floors would be devoted
primarily to medical tenants, including the Central Alberta Hip and Knee
Clinic, while the ground floor would be used for retail use, possibly
complimentary to the medical activities such as a pharmacy. The 112,000
sq. ft. building occupying about one third of the parcel would be
engineered to allow for the possible addition of four more floors in the
future. There would also be provision for a future parkade and pedway to
the hospital.
Triple Attendance Buoys Music Festival
The second annual Central Alberta Music Festival held on the Aug. 15
weekend north of Red Deer tripled their attendance from last year and
organizers are now planning for next year's event. Average paid
attendance this year was around 400 each day of the 2-day event but with
sponsors and contest winners, the number was in the 600-800 range. Plans
for an even larger event next year will start early in the fall and may
include an additional day.
City Film Festival Launches in October
A new 3-day film festival called the Central Alberta Film Experience
will run Oct. 3 to 5 at three venues -- the Matchbox, the Red Deer
Public Library and Galaxy Cinema. The event will include short films
made locally, provincially, nationally and internationally as well as
two feature-length films and a free family film from the National Film
Board archives. The aim of the festival is to expose the public to good
local films as well as some diverse selections from Alberta, Canada and
the world.
August 25, 2008
Glennifer Lake Reservoir Development Questioned
More housing and recreational development around Glennifer Reservoir, a
man-made lake created by the construction of the Dickson Dam in 1983
about 30 km southwest of Innisfail, was questioned at two open houses
held in the last few days. About 100 people attended each of the two
meetings to view a draft of the Glennifer Lake Reservoir Shorelands Area
Structure Plan. Reactions were mixed with some favouring further
development and some not. Currently, there is little opportunity to
develop around the lake itself but there is considerable interest in
land nearby.
Eight Storey Commercial Building Proposed
A group of Red Deer business people and six orthopedic surgeons are
working together to build an eight-storey commercial building, called
Skyway Professional Centre, located north of the Red Deer Regional
Hospital Centre on the former Central Alberta Florists site.
Construction on the estimated $40 million, 112,000 sq. ft. commercial
and retail building could start as early as this fall. There is the
possibility of a four-storey addition in the future as well as the
development of a multi-level parkade and pedway to the hospital.
August 23, 2008
Land Agent Company Building in Gasoline Alley
Access Land, a land agent firm that contracts its services to energy
companies, is currently building a 2-storey, 15,000 sq. ft. office
building in Gasoline Alley in preparation for the future. Located on
about 1.7 acres of land, the dark green and beige building will be
surrounded by extensive landscaping and have plenty of room for parking.
Its location was chosen to be in the heart of a future busy commercial
and office district with a nearby future residential subdivision.
New Building Built on Old Steel Skeleton
The Westview Business Centre, a seemingly brand new building in the
future Riverlands area, is actually built on a 40-year-old steel
structure and foundation that was once the home of Western Collision
Repair. Renovations included stripping the building, adding a second
storey, installing an elevator, redoing the interior and applying a new
facade. About 33,000 of the 35,000 sq. ft. is leasable space with all
but 2,000 sq. ft. spoken for. The developer is looking at doing a
similar makeover at the former Caton's building.
August 22, 2008
Highway Industrial Park West of Lacombe Advances
A new 77-acre industrial park in Lacombe County west of the town of
Lacombe and Highway 2 and south of Highway 12 is home to its first
tenant, Lacombe RV, due to open this fall on a 6-acre parcel. The 22,000
sq. ft. building is well under way. Although marketing of the new park
hasn't officially begun, the developer indicates that there has already
been considerable interest from other potential tenants. The industrial
park will utilize well water and septic systems, but is expected to
eventually tie into town services.
August 21, 2008
Another Sylvan Lake Condo Project Approved
Sylvan Lake's municipal planning commission has approved a 110-unit,
4-storey condominium building called Camden Bay on a 1.42 parcel once
the site of Sunrise Trailer Court a few blocks from the lake. The lot is
in an area subject to the town's waterfront architectural controls so
the developers chose a design that looks like a number of smaller
structures built over time. The complex will consist of mostly
two-bedroom units and should attract people looking for an affordable
home within walking distance of the lake. Construction is expected to
start next spring and be ready for occupancy in the spring of 2010.
Lacombe County Industrial Park Progressing
Building construction in the 127-acre Aspelund Industrial Park in
Lacombe County immediately west of Highway QE2 and Blackfalds is well
underway. Projects progressing include Mustang Helicopters, Eagle
Builders, Voltage Wireline and Canadian Subsurface Wireline. Mega Cranes
is also planning a building. About 60 acres are still available for
development.
August 20, 2008
Traffic Study Proceeds for Gasoline Alley
A $250,000 traffic study is currently underway to determine the future
transportation needs for Gasoline Alley east and west of Highway QE2
south of the city as well as the future Liberty Crossing that may
eventually house 8,000 people. The consultant reported to Red Deer
County council yesterday that they have already met with county, city of
Red Deer and Alberta Transportation officials to align future plans for
each jurisdiction. Alberta Transportation will be rebuilding the south
interchange between the city and the highway that will include a flyover
to bring merging traffic to the right side of the highway instead of the
current dangerous left side. The service road alongside the highway will
be eliminated with new access to Gasoline Alley. Meanwhile, the city is
planning a ring road that could include McKenzie Road and its
interchange at the south end of Gasoline Alley or a new interchange even
further south. The study will also determine the value of an additional
flyover midway between the two existing interchanges and how
pedestrians, bicycles and transit buses can be best accommodated in the
area.
College Expansion on Schedule and on Budget
The $75 million first phase of the massive Red Deer College expansion project is
on schedule and on budget. The Centre for Trades and Technology, the
Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing, the Centre for Business
Enterprise and the Centre for Visual Art will start opening this fall
with some facilities opening in the spring, allowing for the training of
hundreds of more students. The $100 million second phase will begin in
late 2009 or early 2010 and will include the Centre for Health Education
and the Centre for Sports and Wellness.
Drummond Beer Brand Revived in Red Deer
A new microbrewery has started up in north Red Deer reviving the name
Drummond, the name of a brewery in south Red Deer that closed in 1995.
The first batch of lager is expected to be on the market by the end of
September. The name, derived from a glacier at the head of the Red Deer
River, was among the assets purchased by Sleeman Breweries when Drummond
went into receivership in 1996. But since Sleeman never used the name,
the trademark expired and two local men re-registered it. In addition,
the brewmaster from the original brewery has been hired to perform the
same function at the new brewery. The company will initially produce
draught and canned beer with bottles to follow later. A taproom will
allow people to sample the product and tours of the plant are planned.
The water from the river is described as ideal and quality malt will
come from the Rahr Malting plant in Alix.
Sylvan Lake Promotes Waterfront Plan to Provincial Ministers
Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation Minister Cindy Ady, along with
Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA and Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette,
visited the town yesterday to view plans for waterfront upgrades. The
town is asking for $3 million in the short term for the provincial park
to cover a new cooking shelter, build a new washroom facility and
meeting centre, improve the children's playground and move the beach
volleyball courts from the pier to Centennial Park. About a million
visitors a year now visit the park along the beach. Longer term plans
include redirecting Lakeshore Drive behind Centennial Park which would
extend the green space to the waterfront. Future plans for the
waterfront include a stage, water-play plaza, stone walkways and a
natural amphitheatre. The province recently committed $2 million towards
replacing two aging washroom facilities on the beach.
New Hotel Planned for Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake's municipal planning commission has given its approval for
the development of a 72-unit, 4-storey mid-range hotel on the south side
of Lakeshore Drive between 50A and 51 Streets, designed for the family
visitor market. It will have a pool, jacuzzi and probably a little
waterslide and fitness room. The design is based on the town's new
waterfront direct control district requiring an architectural style
similar to that found in waterfront communities like Cape Cod, Mass.
Construction is expected to start next spring and be completed in the
summer of 2010. A plan to develop a miniature golf facility on the
property last year was rejected at the time by the commission.
City Construction Crane Coming Down
The tower crane at Millennium Centre, one of two in downtown Red Deer,
is being taken down this week. It had been used to add two floors to the
office building. New tenants should be able to move in later this year.
The second crane continues to work on the 12-storey Executive Place a
block away.
August 19, 2008
City Major Intersection Construction Begins
The $13 million intersection improvement project for 32 St. and Gaetz
Ave. in south Red Deer has begun. Gaetz Ave. will be widened to six
lanes between 30 and 34 St. while 32 St. will be widened to six lanes
between Taylor Drive and 49 Ave. New traffic lights will installed on
Gaetz Ave. at 34 St. and on 32 St. at both 51 Ave. and 49 Ave. About 100
trees will be removed as part of the project but once the project is
complete, new trees and landscaping will be installed. The project is
expected to be completed by the fall of 2009 but in the meantime, lane
closures and traffic delays will occur.
August 18, 2008
Highway Patrol Sheriffs May Locate in Olds
The Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security Department are
considering Olds for a sheriff satellite office for patrolling Highway
QE2. Fourteen sheriffs are based in Red Deer patrolling area highways. A
5-member office in Olds would be about mid way between Red Deer and
Calgary and reduce the large distances sheriffs in the region have to
travel. There are currently 99 traffic sheriffs patrolling the
provincial roads out of 7 offices. In addition to traffic offences,
sheriffs will soon be laying drunk driving charges.
August 16, 2008
Multi-Sport Training Centre Proposed for Sundre
A Sundre businessman, with encouragement from downhill skiing legend and
former Crazy Canuck Jungle Jim Hunter, is trying to gather support for a
top-level $45-$65 million fitness training complex that would feature
the latest in Olympic-sized ice surfaces, indoor lacrosse and soccer
fields and running tracks, as well as training and testing areas,
meeting rooms and other spaces geared to the physically active of all
levels of skill. A comprehensive business plan will need to be completed
to determine if there is funding and support for such an ambitious
facility in this community of around 2,500 west of Olds and close to the
mountains. The town is already embarked on a feasibility study for a $10
million arena.
Top of page
|
