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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).
December 2008 Part 2
Dec. 31, 2008
Innisfail Museum Gets Railroad Display Funding
The Innisfail and District Historical Society has received $5,000 from
the Red Deer and District Community Foundation for the Stabilizing the
Railroad Station project that will feature 700 sq. ft. of model railway
display at the Innisfail Historical Village. The freight shed area of
the former Bowden Canadian Pacific Railway station is being used for the
exhibit which will depict several eras of rail service to Innisfail and
area from the initial steam service in 1891 until the coming of the
diesel era. The historical village includes 17 heritage buildings, an
office and display area on 2 acres of land.
Dec. 29, 2008
Area Optimism Focuses on Growth in 2009
Capital projects and municipal growth slated for 2009 has kept area
officials optimistic going into the new year. The city of Red Deer
expects finalization of a major annexation of 7,500 acres of land north
and east of the current boundaries. Major capital projects are currently
under way in the city including the new RCMP building and the expansion
and renovation of the Dawe Centre. Projects that will be completed in
the new year include the new civic yards, the largest project ever
undertaken by the city, and the expansion of the emergency services
building in north Red Deer. Also, new residential, commercial and
industrial areas will become available in 2009. Meanwhile, Red Deer
County will start construction of the regional Plasco garbage
gasification plant and expects considerable road construction and
upgrading in the municipality. School boards in the area are looking
forward to new schools being approved for the expanding student
population. Red Deer College is finishing up the multi-million dollar
construction of Phase 1 of the Building Communities Through Learning
project and is lining up funding for Phase 2.
Stettler Looks to Resurrect Rodeo
The most popular idea by residents in the Stettler area to increase
tourism is to resurrect the annual rodeo and the town's leaders support
it. The town had a rodeo for many years but it folded in the early
1990s, partly due to volunteer fatigue. Both population and tourism has
increased since then and it is believed that the time is right to bring
it back. The Stettler area is already well known for the Alberta Prairie
Steam Tours and the nearby Buffalo Lake.
Dec. 24, 2008
Eight-Storey Medical Building Could Start Soon
The 8-storey, 112,000 sq. ft., $40 million Skyway Professional Centre,
to be built north of the Red Deer Regional Hospital, is expected to get
underway in the spring of 2009 and is targeted to be completed by the
fall of 2010. The building will house mostly medical-related tenants
including Red Deer's six orthopedic surgeons, the Central Alberta Hip
and Knee Clinic, and the hospital's cast clinic. The ground floor will
have commercial businesses that could include a pharmacy. The new
building's design will allow for the addition of four more floors in the
future. A pedway linking it to the hospital is also contemplated. The
project is on the former site of Central Alberta Florists.
Dec. 23, 2008
Lacombe County to Improve Access to Sylvan Lake
Lacombe County council has decided to pump some more money into
improving access to Sylvan Lake as a result of increasing pressure from
boaters and other water users, particularly related to several new
residential and recreational developments expected to occur over the
next few years. Last year, improvements were made to the boat launch at
Sunbreaker Cove. Developing a new boat launch on the southwest side of
the lake will involve provincial and federal government departments,
other municipalities and the public.
Dec. 20, 2008
Ponoka Considered for Aircraft Manufacturing Plant
Ponoka is on a short list of communities favoured for an aircraft
manufacturing plant that could eventually employ a thousand people and
generate annual economic benefits of $300 million. Aeromax Loadstar is
looking to build a new utility aircraft and needs a 15-acre parcel near
a runway. The plane is being promoted as an alternative to the de
Havilland Twin Otter. In addition to being well-suited for hauling cargo
for energy companies, the Loadstar could transport express packages,
carry passengers, and serve as a mobile office or surgery unit, a fire
bomber or as a base for emergency operations.
Dec. 19, 2008
Group to Promote Regional Good Economic News
The Central Alberta branch of the Canadian Home Builders Association is
working to organize a multi-stakeholder promotion to let people know
that the economic situation in Central Alberta and the Red Deer Region
is not nearly as negative as it is in other parts of the country and the
world. Representatives of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, Central
Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP), Red Deer Regional Economic
Development (RDRED), the Central Alberta Realtors Association, the Red
Deer chapter of the Urban Development Institute, Canada Mortgage and
Housing Corp., and the provincial departments of Finance and Enterprise
and Employment and Immigration have had discussions to launch a media
campaign stressing that local and regional economies remain robust.
Further meetings are planned in the new year that could also include
motor vehicle dealers, commercial builders, energy companies and
hospitality businesses.
Scottsville Auto Group Continues to Expand
Scott Subaru is the newest member of the multi-brand Scottsville Group
of automotive dealerships in Red Deer, setting up close to two of the
other members of the group, Kipp Scott Pontiac Buick and Scott Kia.
Meanwhile, Gord Scott Nissan opened its new 31,000 sq. ft. home on Gaetz
Avenue North, triple the size of its previous location. The 14 service
bays are twice the number of those at the old dealership, the new
showroom has doubled in size and the parts department has tripled in
size. In addition, Gordon Scott recently accepted a Dealer of Excellence
Award from the Motor Dealers Association of Alberta.
Landowners Fear Tax Implications at Annexation Hearing
At a public hearing on the proposed annexation by the city of Red Deer
for 7,500 acres of Red Deer County land, three out of seven people who
spoke before the Alberta Municipal Government Board expressed
dissatisfaction with the city's plan for taxation and property value
assessments. The city wants to apply a one-time tax credit rather than a
5 or 10 year graduated tax as has been done in some previous
annexations. The concern is that much of the land is agricultural and
probably won't see the full range of city services for several years.
Land developers who attended the hearing strongly support the
annexation.
Dec. 18, 2008
Penhold Multiplex Approved for $2 Million Grant
At the groundbreaking ceremony for the $20 million 65,000 sq. ft.
Penhold Regional Multiplex yesterday, the town learned that a $2 million
grant from the provincial Major Community Facilities Program was
approved. About a year ago, a $6 million joint provincial-federal grant
was approved. The remaining funding will come from the town,
partnerships, corporate sponsorship and other fundraising activities.
The complex will consist of a regulation-size ice rink with seating for
550, concession area, upper level walking track and fitness centre,
multi-purpose rooms, arts rooms, meeting rooms, library and gymnasium.
Construction is expected to begin in the new year on the project located
on an 80-acre site along Highway 42 in the northeast corner of town. It
is hoped that the project will be completed in the spring of 2010 with
the opening set for June of that year.
Red Deer College Prepares for Phase 2 Expansion
Phase 2 of the Red Deer College expansion project, that will cost from
$70 million to $90 million, will include the Centre for Health Education
and the Centre for Sport and Wellness. The province has provided $3
million for planning the facility but has yet to commit funding for
building. To become a reality, funding will need to be received from
government, community organizations and other fundraising efforts. The
Centre for Sports and Wellness would have about 13,000 square metres of
gym space and seating for 1,500 people. There will be two full-size
basketball courts, a dance studio, squash courts, a track, fitness
facilities, labs and administration centre. A 3,700 square metre field
house would feature soccer, tennis, sports testing, fitness and health
and an Olympic-size rink would seat 1,500 people. The Centre for Health
Education would include space for the David Thompson Health Region. The
new buildings could open as early as 2012. The $80 million first phase
of the Building Communities Through Learning project will be completed
in 2009.
Lacombe County Approves Horse Racing Project
Lacombe County council has approved two bylaw amendments necessary for
the Alberta Downs horse racing track to go ahead at its 142-acre site at
the corner of Highways 2 and 12. One bylaw rezoned the former
agricultural land and the other allows for a racing entertainment centre
which would include slot machines. If a development permit is approved
at the end of January, horse training activities could start early in
the spring of 2009 with limited racing by April or May. The owners have
agreed to pay 10% of the cost of upgrading the intersection at Highway
12 when needed.
City Ice Cream Shop Demolished
The Creamery ice cream shop, which has operated along Gaetz Avenue near
55 Street and the river in downtown Red Deer for the past three summers,
has been demolished by the property owner Shell Canada. The lease had
expired and the owners of the ice cream shop, who also own a another
business in Lacombe, are looking for a new location. Shell has not
announced any plans for the site but it is listed for sale. A service
station had operated at the location until 1992 and later Shell leased
the site to Mac James Motors until 2004.
Blackfalds Taxes to Increase 2.75%
Blackfalds town council has approved a $10.2 million operating budget
for 2009 that will result in an average 2.75% property tax hike for
homeowners. Council also approved an $11 million capital budget which
includes money for a $5.5 million RCMP station to be built over 2 years,
road repaving, sewage lagoon upgrades and a community hall upgrade.
Lacombe County Taxes to Remain Steady
Lacombe County council passed a $42.6 million operating budget recently
that will have homeowners seeing little change in their property taxes.
Council also approved a $5.2 million capital budget.
Dec. 17, 2008
Red Deer County Approves 2009 Budget With Tax Hike of 3.5%
A $33.2 million operating budget and $14.4 million capital budget for
2009 were approved by Red Deer County council yesterday. The overall
budget is about 12% lower than last year's, mostly due to a drop in
grants from other levels of government. However, property taxes will
likely increase an average of 3.5%, about the same as last year's
inflation rate. The capital budget includes a transit bus, an action bus
and bus stops for the new Red Deer-Gasoline Alley-Springbrook service
expected to start in July. It also includes funds toward water tankers
for the volunteer fire departments in Elnora and Delburne. The county
will also step up its road building program.
Lacombe Passes Budget and 5% Tax Increase
Lacombe town council passed its $23.5 million 2009 operating budget on
Monday resulting in an average 5% tax increase for its residents. There
are no major capital projects planned for next year. Council also
approved a 5% increase in water, wastewater and solid waste collection
fees for the year.
City Requests That Province Reinvest in Urban Parks
Red Deer city council agreed on Monday to lobby the provincial
Department of Tourism, Parks and Recreation to reintroduce the Urban
Parks Program as part of a new Alberta-wide framework for managing
provincial parks. The city particularly wants more provincial support in
municipalities developing regional parks along major watershed
tributaries in order to preserve wildlife corridors and provide outdoor
amenities to residents and visitors.
Acreages Preserved Within City
Red Deer city council approved a bylaw on Monday that would preserve
College Park in east Red Deer as a low-density acreage development. The
21 large lots created in 1957 were annexed from the county a couple of
years ago and the area surrounding the acreages is being developed for
new residences and commercial use.
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