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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).
October 2008 Part
1
Oct. 15, 2008
Dreeshen Elected for Red Deer in Federal Election
Conservative Earl Dreeshen will represent Red Deer in a minority federal
parliament as a result of the federal election yesterday. Dreeshen, 55
and a farmer near Pine Lake, took 73.1% of votes cast in the riding.
About 50.4% of voters in the riding turned out to vote.
Oct. 14, 2008
Regional Trail Network Makes Progress
Several communities in Central Alberta, including Red Deer, Lacombe,
Ponoka, Wetaskiwin and Innisfail, have developed trail systems, portions
of which have been registered as Trans Canada Trail links. Red Deer,
Lacombe and Ponoka counties are in the early stages of linking these
communities that would one day see a continuous walking and bicycling
trail from Innisfail through Red Deer to Ponoka, Wetaskiwin and
Edmonton. Lacombe County recently approved funding of $50,000 to
construct a pedestrian bridge over the Blindman River and Ponoka is
working on another pedestrian bridge over the Battle River paving the
way for the completion of the trail between Penhold and Ponoka. The
north-south trail will eventually extend to link with the east-west
Trans Canada Trail at Calgary.
Mixed Views on Moving Public Market
The 38th annual public market, held each Saturday during the summer at
the parking lot of the Red Deer Arena, had its last day of the season
this past weekend. There's been talk of possibly moving the market to
the vacated transit garage at the city's public works yard in Riverlands
as part of the city's greater downtown development plan. It could be
year round with an indoor and outdoor component. Some are quite ready to
have a market indoor year round but others like the atmosphere of the
current outdoor arrangement and the ease for people to attend.
Regardless, next year's market will remain at the current location.
Golden Circle Renovation Project Delays Opening
The decision to use the basement of the Golden Circle senior citizens
centre for the Central Alberta Child and Family Services office has
delayed the opening and use of the building until January. The seniors'
programs had been relocated to the Red Deer Curling Club for the summer
in hopes that the activities could be moved back to the centre in early
fall. With the curling club needing much of the space for winter curling
activities, some seniors programs have had to be transferred to another
location or cancelled. A few activities will remain at the curling
facility. The $2.7 million expansion and renovation to the Golden Circle
will add about 1,600 sq. ft., a circular drive-through passenger
drop-off, new entrance, elevator, washroom improvements and upgrades to
lighting and acoustics.
Innisfail Scarecrow Festival Continues to Grow
The fifth annual Innisfail Scarecrow Festival attracted about 100
entries in the competition this year with the display along a service
road east of the downtown. Entries included SpongeBob SquarePants, Night
Fever, a 70's dancing couple, a dragon, a Green Giant, Luke Skywalker
and Darth Vader, a Hawaiian dancer, a banker and the Beverly
Hillbillies. More free activities were added this year including a
family hay ride. A barbecue was held with money raised going to the
Christmas Bureau.
Oct. 11, 2008
Red Deer Region Among Smartest in the Land
The city of Red Deer, the town of Innisfail and the entire Red Deer
region has been ranked at the top of a national index looking at
learning skills and opportunities. The Canadian Council on Learning's
Composite Learning Index gives Red Deer and Innisfail an overall rating
of 93, the same figure given to the top cities mentioned in a Macleans
magazine article. The region received a rating of 92. The index looks at
four areas including formal education, applied skills, social values and
cultural opportunities. The average score was 73.
Oct. 10, 2008
Red Deer Annexation Hearing Scheduled
The Alberta Municipal Government Board is holding a public hearing
concerning Red Deer's application to annex 7,500 acres of land from Red
Deer County to the west, north and east of the city's current
boundaries. One area is 267 acres west of the city and includes Heritage
Ranch, Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and the Riverview Park residential
area. Another area is 3,257 acres of mostly agricultural land
north of the city that includes the Ipsco manufacturing plant, Chiles
industrial area and a number of acreages including Central Park. The
third area involves 3,960 acres of mainly agricultural land and country
residential areas on the eastern edge of the city stretching from the
Red Deer River in the north to the Delburne Road in the south. The
county gave its support to the annexation in June. Although approval may
be granted early in the new year, the city isn't seeking the changeover
until September 2009. The hearing is set for November 4 at the north Red
Deer Holiday Inn starting at 10 am.
Oct. 9, 2008
Proposed City Downtown Plan Would Be a Magnet
About 200 attended an open house yesterday to look at the Red Deer
Downtown Action Plan Update proposed to improve, expand and enhance the
city centre and the area near the river that will open up with the
relocation of the civic yards next year. Three growth areas of the
downtown were identified that included the city core, the new Riverlands
area near the river and the Railyards area that is also near the river
and ready for redevelopment. The city centre redevelopment would include
the completion of Alexander Way, traffic calming on Ross Street, a civic
square and a future heritage centre. The Railyards area could include an
open amphitheatre, high density housing, a pedestrian corridor linking
the old railway bridge and the historic railway station, and a feature
celebrating the city's rail heritage. The Riverlands would include
waterways and water features, a hotel and convention centre, the
relocation of the community market to the former bus barns, a pedestrian
bridge across the river, a performing arts centre and a major attraction
tentatively called 'the Ark' which could be an enclosed tropical garden
or other tourist feature. Once public comments are tabulated, the final
report will go to city council for approval, likely in January.
Housing Starts Down After Last Year's Record
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reported that work started on 30
single detached homes in the city last month, as compared with 56 during
the same month in 2007. During the first nine months of the year, 256
single detached homes were started compared to 812 during the same
period last year. For multi family units, 170 were started so far this
year compared to 485 between January and September 2007. Alberta's seven
largest centres experienced similar declines in September with 1,544
starts compared to 4,134 during the same month last year. Residential
construction in Red Deer hit record levels in 2007.
Proposed Stettler Energy Centre to
Benefit Farmers and Environment
Greenlab Energy Canada promoted its huge multi-million energy centre to
Stettler County officials yesterday. The Stettler area was chosen as it
is in the centre of the canola belt of Alberta and Saskatchewan which
produces about 80% of the nine million tonnes of canola produced in
Canada annually. Current crush capacity in the two provinces is about
3.6 million tonnes, representing only half the production. The remainder
leaves the country to be processed. The first phase of the project would
include crushing, processing and electrical generation facilities and
could be ready to accept canola from the 2010 crop. The second phase
that would include a business park is expected to be in place by 2011. A
campus and research centre should be completed in 2012. Hospitality
facilities could be added in 2013 or 2014. The electricity generation
process would consume landfill waste and raw sewage from the region.
Officials stated that the regional energy centre would benefit both
farmers and the environment.
Wildlife Centre Owl Stars in TV and Movies
Otis the Owl, chief ambassador for the Medicine River Wildlife Centre
located west of Innisfail, has had a bit role in the TV series 'Corner
Gas' and is starring in a new movie 'The Secret of the Nutcracker',
filmed in Calgary to be aired on CBC in December. Income from the roles
support the centre's ongoing education and wildlife rehabilitation
programs.
Oct. 8, 2008
Red Deer County Officially Endorses Plasco Deal
Red Deer County council unanimously approved a deal with Plasco Energy
to send all of the county's usable waste to the $100 million
waste-to-energy facility to be built next to the Horn Hill Waste
Transfer site east of Penhold. The county expects to save $20 a tonne on
the 24,000 tonnes of waste it will transport to the gasification plant
each year, resulting in an annual savings of $400,000 in trucking costs.
About $1.7 million is currently spent each year providing garbage
services. The county is one of several municipalities expected to
contribute to the 200 tonnes per day plant. On Monday, the city
committed 10% of its garbage to the facility.
City Vital Signs Survey Grades Community Values
About 300 people responded to the Red Deer and District Community
Foundation's recent open online survey on the city's quality of life,
called Vital Signs 2008. Three of 12 areas received a high grade. Four
public events expanded over the previous 3 years -- Artwalk, Earthdance,
Mayor's Garden Party and Biggest Tree Festival. Unpaid volunteer
activities were pursued by 51.7% of citizens over 15, compared to the
provincial average of 47.7% and the national average of 45.3%. Median
commuting distance to work in Red Deer was 3.8 km in 2006, 50% lower
than both the provincial and national average. The quality of life
issues raising concerns included gang violence, voter turnout, poverty
rate and that 21% of the population didn't have a regular doctor.
Constructed Wetland Named After Local Environmentalist
The Michael O'Brien constructed wetland was built by the city to capture
and filter storm water before it gets to the Red Deer River. It includes
ponds and foliage surrounded by trees designed to encourage a healthy
population of frogs and other aquatic life. The wetland is located north
of the Clearview Meadows subdivision along 55 Street on Michener Centre
property. O'Brien, who died in 1997, was a founding member of the Ellis
Bird Farm, served on the boards of the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary and the Red
Deer River Naturalists.
Oct. 7, 2008
City Commits to 'Green' Garbage Gasification
Red Deer city council has agreed to commit at least 10% of its garbage
to the $100 million Plasco Energy gasification plant proposed by the
Central Waste Management Commission. When the plant opens in 2010 east
of Penhold, it will be used to convert trash into electricity and other
byproducts and be part of a green solution to drastically reduce
greenhouse gases. The commission is committed to supply 200 tonnes of
garbage per day for 20 years to the facility. The cost of the plant
itself will be funded by Plasco but participating municipalities will
pay $65 per tonne in tipping fees. Garbage will be put into a chamber
where it is vaporized at around 8,000 C. No burning is involved.
Hampton Inns to Build Hotel in Gasoline Alley
A 4-storey, 110-unit Hampton Inn and Suites franchise could start
construction before the end of the year on the west side of Gasoline
Alley south of the city. The hotel will contain a swimming pool, fitness
area, laundry facility and complimentary warm breakfast area. A March
2010 opening is expected.
Oct. 4, 2008
East Regional Water Line on Schedule
The $45 million regional water line in east central Alberta is about two
thirds complete and on schedule for a spring 2009 completion. However an
estimated $17 million upgrade to the Stettler water treatment plant has
been delayed due to bids coming in much higher than anticipated. The
Shirley McClellan Regional Water Commission believes that the existing
Stettler plant has the capacity to fulfill the initial needs of the
commission. The 142-km project involves building a pipeline from the
Stettler treatment plant through Halkirk, Coronation, Castor, Veteran
and Consort. The upgrade will allow communities to discard using well
water of questionable quality. It will also provide an economic
development boost.
Region Represented at Ontario Job Fair
Red Deer Regional Economic Development (RDRED), Central Alberta Economic
Partnership (CAEP) and B & M Recruitment Solutions represented the Red
Deer region recently at the National Job Fair and Training Expo in
Toronto, Ontario. A survey conducted at the event indicated that 65% of
attendees were interested in information about living and working in
Alberta. The regional delegation received about 1,000 resumes. RDRED is
a strategic alliance between the city of Red Deer, Red Deer County, Red
Deer College and the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce. CAEP is an economic
development alliance between several Central Alberta communities.
Oct. 3, 2008
Red Deer Region Housing Good for Buyers
Plenty of listings, stable prices and steady mortgage rates have created
a buyer's market for real estate in the region says the Central Alberta
Realtors Association. During the third quarter, 400 single family homes
were sold through MLS in Red Deer at a median price of $324,000, down
from $330,000 from the same quarter last year. In Sylvan Lake, 90 single
family homes were sold at a median price of $325,000 compared to
$347,000 for the same period in 2007. In Lacombe, 38 single family homes
were sold at a median price of $316,000. In Blackfalds, 29 single family
homes sold at a median price of $284,000. In Stettler, 28 homes sold at
a median price of $218,000. In Innisfail, 23 homes sold at a median
price of $269,000.
New Rimbey Hospital Almost Ready to Open
Although the official grand opening is months away, the new $20 million
22-bed Rimbey Hospital is almost ready to take patients. It also has 16
emergency room spaces, larger ambulance bays, a mental health office and
a bathroom in every room. The new building replaces the old hospital
built in 1949 and the addition of 1956. The part built in 1980 will be
renovated. The 2,600 sq. metre facility is 700 sq. metres larger than
the previous facility.
Quinn's Buys Former Leader Industrial Site
Quinn's Oilfield Supply has purchased the former Leader Energy Services
site in the Riverside Heavy Industrial Park. The 11 acre parcel contains
a 30,000 sq. ft. shop and 5,000 sq. ft. accessory building. The company
currently has a 65,000 -70,000 sq. ft. shop near 67 Street and Gaetz
Avenue but there is no potential for expansion at that location. The
newly acquired property was once part of a larger parcel where Canada
Packers had a slaughterhouse until 1991.
Oct. 2, 2008
New Power Transmission Line Described as Urgent
An official with Epcor Alberta told the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce
yesterday that if a proposed 500-kilovolt power line through Central
Alberta isn't built soon, the province could face power shortages. A set
of unusual circumstances, such as really cold weather and a couple of
power plants going offline unexpectedly, could increase the risk of
initiating a major power outage if the line isn't upgraded within the
next couple of years or so. With the exception of a new power line
between Edmonton and Fort McMurray, no major improvements have been made
in the transmission system in the past 20 years although the power usage
has doubled in that time. Much of the equipment is more than 40 years
old and susceptible to breakdown. The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO)
is forecasting that an additional 5,000 megawatts of power will be
needed by the province by 2017 and 11,000 megawatts by 2027. The $1.6
billion Keephills 3 coal-fired generator being built by Epcor and
TransAlta will generate 450 megawatts. However additional power
generation is dependent on adequate transmission capacity. A new power
line is not likely to be approved before late 2009 and construction
could take two to three years. The risk of something unexpected
happening and it having an impact on the system will continue to grow
because the reserve capacity margin continues to dwindle.
New Police Building Boosts Construction Permit Values
The $23 million new downtown RCMP detachment building accounted for
nearly two thirds of the value of building permits issued in September
by the city of Red Deer. Although the total permits for the month were
valued at $35.5 million compared to $20.1 million for September 2007,
residential permits were down from $10.7 million last year to $8.1
million this year. Commercial and industrial permits were also down
compared to last year. Also issued in September was a $2.9 million
permit for the Westerner Park new administration building. During the
first nine months of 2008, the city has issued a total of $221.4 million
in permits compared to $357.6 million for the same period in 2007, a 38%
reduction. Residential permits for year to date have declined 48% from
last year's record pace.
Sylvan Lake Watershed Society Wants More Testing
The Sylvan Lake Watershed Stewardship Society would like to see sediment
testing and other studies form the basis for a watershed protection plan
that would include measures to control the amount of nutrients flowing
into the lake from streams and from around the lake. The society is
concerned that nutrients are entering streams that feed the lake but
those nutrients are not showing up in the lake itself and could be
accumulating in the sediment at the bottom of the lake. Under certain
circumstances and weather conditions, those nutrients could be released
into the lake potentially spawning the growth in blue green algae and
other undesirable organisms. A 2005 study gave the lake a good rating
for water quality and overall health but warned that the nutrients from
future development could threaten the lake's health.
Oct. 1, 2008
Stores to Replace Former Call Centre Space at City Mall
When the call centre Convergys closed in June, Bower Place Shopping
Centre in south Red Deer embarked on a $12 million renovation of the
48,000 sq. ft. vacated space. New tenants for the space announced
recently include women's clothing store Sirens, travel agency Flight
Centre, Sunglass Hut and plush animal retailer Bears and Wishes.
Previously announced were clothing stores H&M, Wild Mountain and RW &
Co., as well as cosmetic shop Lush and Quarks Shoes. In addition,
Consumer's Optical is relocating to the new area from its current site
in the mall. Deals are pending with five other tenants. Renovations are
expected to be completed by next summer.
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