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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
1
Dec. 15, 2008
Peterbuilt Moving to Expanded Red Deer
Facility
After 4.5 years in its 14,500 sq. ft. sales and service centre
immediately south of Red Deer, truck dealer Peterbilt will be moving in
March into its new 35,000 sq. ft. premises in the Burnt Lake Business
Park immediately west of the city close to Highways 2, 11 and 11A. The
new facility will have two overhead cranes, a pair of drive-through
quick-lube service bays and an indoor showroom.
Dec. 13, 2008
Horse Racing Track Progresses in Lacombe
County
Lacombe County is close to passing third reading of a pair of rezoning
bylaws for the Alberta Downs horse racing track taking shape near the
junction of Highways 2 and 12. One of the final details to work out with
Alberta Transportation is the location of the intersection access on
Highway 12 to the development. Work has been steady on the 142-acre site
for a year with the tracks, fencing and some stables in place. Besides
sand and turf tracks, the developers want to build a grandstand,
stabling for 400 horses and an indoor arena. The B-circuit track is
expected to have 50 racing days a year. Also planned is an entertainment
centre with food and licensed beverage services, on-track and off-track
parimutuel wagering and up to a maximum of 150 slot machines, yet to be
approved by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.
Red Deer Museum Renovations to Begin in New Year
A $1.5 million renovation to allow the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery
to host crowd-pleasing large-scale travelling exhibitions will begin in
the new year. The first phase is a $90,000 upgrade to the 30-year-old
museum washrooms. The next phase beginning in May involves the museum
offices gutted and relocated. The main part of the renovation will be in
the gallery and exhibit areas where walls will be pulled down and the
space opened up to create 10,000 sq. ft. of exhibition area. The entire
project is expected to be finished by early 2010. The museum collection,
most of which is in storage, contains 80,000 items donated by more than
3,000 people.
Dec. 12, 2008
More Rental Units Available in Red Deer Region
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reports that the average vacancy rate
in Red Deer in October 2008 was 4.4% compared to 2.7% at the same time
the year before. The availability of bachelor suites went up from 3.4%
to 5.7%, one-bedroom units from 2.9% to 3.7%, two-bedroom units from
2.6% to 4.9% and units with 3 or more bedrooms from 0.7% to 2.2%. Weaker
net migration and increased competition from the secondary rental market
have been sited as the reasons for the increase. In Sylvan Lake, the
average apartment vacancy rate in October 2008 was 2.8% while in
Lacombe, the average rate was 3%. However, higher vacancy rates did not
reflect in lower rents. The average rent in Red Deer climbed from $786
to $818 during the year-over-year period. Bachelor suites increased from
an average $569 to $624, one-bedroom from $706 to $736, two-bedroom from
$845 to $876 and 3 or more bedrooms from $1,028 to $1,038. In Sylvan
Lake, average rent was $685 and in Lacombe, $705.
Proposed Innisfail Biofuel Plant Waiting
on Federal Funding
The proposed $400 million Alberta Ethanol and Biodiesel biofuels plant,
backed by Dominion Energy, north of Innisfail is still on track but
waiting for a guarantee of federal funding under the EcoEnergy for
Biofuels program. Announced two years ago, the project has taken longer
than expected waiting for approvals from Alberta Environment and the
province's Energy Resources Conservation Board. Application for the
federal funding had to wait for the various government approvals which
have now been obtained. If the funding is approved quickly, construction
could start as early as spring 2009. The first phase of the project,
consisting of a canola crushing facility and an ethanol plant, each
producing about 189 million litres annually, would take about 18 months
to complete. Subsequent phases would double the crushing and ethanol
capacity and add a biodiesel plant.
Gull Lake Recreation Vehicle Lots Approved
The first 99 lots of a proposed 400-lot recreational vehicle resort on
Gull Lake were approved yesterday by Lacombe County. DeGraff's
BuiltGreen Resort will be built on 120 acres just north of the existing
campground. The complete project would include condominium RV sites, a
lodge, interpretive centre, private boat launch, hot tub and swimming
pool. Further phases will not be approved until a sewage treatment
system satisfactory to Alberta Environment is designed.
Dec. 11, 2008
Bower Ponds Getting New Stage
A larger and more modern stage will be built by the city at Bower Ponds
in Waskasoo Park near the Cronquist House to replace the existing
25-year-old structure at the same location. The new stage, budgeted at
$300,000, will have a canopy, better power system and more storage and
is expected to be completed before the Canada Day celebration. Other
improvements near Bower Ponds include public artwork, additional trail
links to the rest of Waskasoo Park and a large new playground structure
near the Trans Canada Trail pavilion. The recently completed serenity
garden includes stonework, plantings and gazebos. The improvements stem
from the Special Gathering Places study approved in 2005 that evaluated
Heritage Ranch, Three Mile Bend, River Bend, Bower Ponds and other areas
of Waskasoo Park.
Golf Town Opens in South Red Deer
The new 14,500 sq. ft. Golf Town store opens today between The Brick and
Sobeys in south Red Deer. In addition to equipment and apparel, the
store has a pair of virtual golf simulators and a putting green. In the
same shopping centre, Urban Barn, Hakim Optical, Little Caesars Pizza
and a dentist are scheduled to open early in the new year.
Jazz Flight Decision Postponed Until January
Air Canada officials indicated on Tuesday that a decision on whether to
include regular flights in and out of the Red Deer Regional Airport
won't be made until January. The airport authority expects Air Canada
Jazz Dash-8s would be the likely choice of aircraft if the airline
proceeds. Red Deer could be on a route including stops in Saskatoon,
Kelowna and Vancouver.
Dec. 10, 2008
Sunnybrook Farm Receives Official Museum Designation
The Alberta Museums Association has designated the Sunnybrook Farm
Museum in Red Deer with official Recognized Museum designation. The
status enables it to apply for basic operating grants and special
project grants. The site traces its roots to 1899 when James Bower and
family of Ontario settled the land. Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bower donated
the farm to the Red Deer and District Museum Society in 1987. The
mission of the Friends of Sunnybrook Farm Society is to collect
artifacts and farm machinery that are representative of farming from
1870 and 1950 and to promote rural life and the development of Central
Alberta. The vision is to create a working historical farm museum in the
summer. The museum also plans to develop a small-scale streetscape at
the 10-acre site.
New Olds Arts Centre Set to Open in February
The multi-use new Fine Arts and Multi Media Centre at Olds College is
getting ready to accept high school and college students in February.
The building is part of the $67-million Community Learning Campus, a
partnership between Olds College and Chinook's Edge School Division in
collaboration with the Town of Olds, Mountain View County and the
University of Alberta. A 390-seat theatre will serve as a venue for
student and community events. Several rooms will be available for band,
art, drama, stain glass and cosmetology. The new Core High School, the
second phase, is set to open in January 2010. The third phase is a
Wellness Facility that will have three gymnasiums, a walking track and
fitness centre.
Maskepetoon Park Improvements Proceeding
Red Deer's 2009 capital budget, approved on Monday, includes $710,000 to
protect sensitive areas of Maskepetoon Park, adding public trails
through the park and the installation of some resting/viewing areas. It
is part of a $2.4 million improvement project for the mostly-natural
treed 30 acres between the Red Deer River and Oriole Park West that also
includes four marsh areas. The park is noted for being an ecologically
significant and valuable area with many unique natural features that are
being damaged as a result of increased use of all-terrain vehicles. Some
trail work and fencing have been done this year as well as the building
of a small parking lot.
City Skateboard Park to Get $600,000
The 10-year capital plan for the city of Red Deer includes setting aside
$45,000 in 2010 for planning a new or expanded skateboard park and
$554,000 for development in 2011. The current structure was built 10
years ago next to the Red Deer Arena but is now too small for the number
of current users.
Tree Festival Attendance Up But Revenue Down
The 15th annual Festival of Trees, held from November 15 to 23 this
year, celebrated an increase in attendance at 24,000 -- 2,000 more than
last year. The fundraiser for the David Thompson Health Region also
attracted 1,950 volunteers, an increase of about 150 from 2007. However,
revenue from events and auctions was down to $735,000, primarily from
the auction of the House of Miracles, a new home built by corporate
donors. Last year, revenues were at $1.1 million and $957,000 in 2006.
The annual event of the past 15 years has raised $5.8 million for
various projects and equipments for the health region.
Dec. 9, 2008
City Capital Budget for 2009 Set at $473 Million
Red Deer city council has approved the capital budget for 2009, set at
close to $473 million. Council also approved in principle the 10-year
capital plan. First reading for several borrowing bylaws were also
passed. By the end of 2009, the city's estimated total debt will be $271
million. The total debt is expected to climb to $522 million by 2018. No
money has been allocated to the north highway connector road as council
hopes the province will pick up at least 90% of the tab. A new access
road is to be constructed at Red Deer College of which the city will pay
$3.9 million of the $5.8 million cost. The city will purchase land in
the new annexation areas for parkland for $2.5 million in 2009 with
further purchases in future years. Borrowed funds will go towards a new
downtown parkade above the transit terminal, water and wastewater
treatment upgrades and various recreation and parks projects. However,
several facilities recently requested by public groups were not part of
the approved capital plan including a 50-metre pool, a new museum and a
concert hall.
City Housing Starts Remain Below Last Year
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reports that, for the first eleven
months of 2008, housing starts in Red Deer are down about 65% from the
same period last year -- from 1,510 starts to 530. So far this year,
work has begun on 325 single-detached homes and 205 multi-family units,
compared to 928 single-detached homes last year and 582 multi-family
units. Housing starts in Alberta's seven largest cities are down 37%
during the same period from last year. In November, there were 27 starts
on single-detached homes and 35 starts on multi-family units in Red
Deer.
Regional Community Permits Down Modestly
Although the city of Red Deer experienced a significant decline in
housing permits over the past 10 months, communities outside of the city
showed only a modest decline, according to the Central Alberta branch of
the Canadian Home Builders Association. From January to October, 324
housing permits in outlying towns were obtained, compared to 346 during
the same period in 2007, a decline of only 6%. It is believed that part
of the reason is that, early in the year when demand was higher, there
was little serviced land available in the city. However, there is also a
greater variety of lot types outside of the city and land prices are
generally lower. In addition, 2007 was a record year for housing
construction while 2008 was more average, especially in rural areas.
Planning officials in Blackfalds and Lacombe expect 2008 residential
construction to be comparable to 2007 while Sylvan Lake, Stettler, Rocky
Mountain House, Penhold and Ponoka expect a modest slowdown this year
from last.
Sylvan Lake Sets Tax Hike at Average 1.3%
The town of Sylvan Lake approved the 2009 budget yesterday, resulting in
an average 1.3% property tax hike for residents in spite of some major
upcoming projects. The modest increase was due to strong steady growth
and the province taking over ambulance service in 2009. Capital projects
include a $7.5 million RCMP building, a $5.4 million town hall, and $5.7
million in road work.
Ice Castle Planned for Sylvan Lake
During the first week of the new year, an 11-metre by 8-metre ice castle
will be constructed between the skating rinks on the lakeshore of Sylvan
Lake. Skaters will be able to rip through the gateways of the 3-metre
high castle which will also have seating areas for those lacing up or
just looking to get out of the wind. The structure will use close to 300
blocks of ice weighing a total of about 26 tonnes. The town plans
to expand the theme in future years.
Dec. 5, 2008
Provincial Land-Use Framework Creates New Red Deer Region
The Alberta government has released its Land-Use Framework with a few
changes since the draft report was released earlier in the year and
several individuals and communities commented on it. Since the draft
report, new strategies were developed, a new region has been created and
other regions were renamed based on major river watersheds. The new Red
Deer region is based on the Red Deer River watershed. Originally the
area was included with the South Saskatchewan River watershed which was
considered to be too large and too diverse an area to manage effectively
as well as containing half the province's population. The framework is
the government's response to a surge in contentious land-use conflicts
between municipalities as well as user groups. The report also calls for
regional advisory councils of 12 to 14 members. The province plans to
manage the impact of development on the environment, taking into account
cumulative effects. There is a commitment in the strategy to involve
aboriginal peoples in land-use planning. The framework will serve as a
base for more detailed regional planning.
Business Builds Mobile Retro Diners
Queen's Diner, a replica of the old eateries that were once commonplace
in North America between 1920 and 1950, has opened in the north end of
the Burnt Lake Business Park. Prairie City Diners is producing two more
similar mobile diners. The design can be adapted for coffee shops, ice
cream shops or convenience stores. The structures can be converted from
one use to another and moved to a different location. Although diners
were originally converted from train cars, later versions were
manufactured specifically for stationary eating spots.
Dec. 4, 2008
Residential Project for Liberty Junction to Start Next Year
Red Deer County's municipal planning commission has given conditional
approval to 160 townhouses and a four-storey, 36-unit apartment building
in the Liberty Junction subdivision immediately west of Gasoline Alley
south of the city. The first phase of 72 townhouses is expected to start
construction next summer with the first homes ready for occupancy by
mid-2010. Six different styles of townhouses ranging in size from 1,289
sq. ft. to 1,844 sq. ft. will be included in the neighbourhood. The
homes will meet high environmental standards, a higher level of
landscaping than is typical and streets will be designed as "walkable".
Of the 90 acres to be developed, 30 acres have been set aside as green
space. When fully built out, Liberty Junction is expected to have 1,000
homes for a population around 3,000. The project is the first that may
eventually see up to 8,000 people living in the area.
Best Western Opens New Hotel in Innisfail
The 66-unit Best Western Innisfail Inn near Highway 2 recently commenced
operations in northeast Innisfail. A swimming pool and hot tub are
expected to open in February. The new 6,500 sq. ft. Boston Pizza is
expected to open adjacent to the hotel early in the new year. Earlier
this year, the 46-unit EconoLodge Inn and Suites opened nearby.
School Board Consults with Students for Ideas
The Red Deer Public School District board held a student town hall
meeting yesterday to hear what their priorities are for their school.
About 150 students from Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School and
Hunting Hills High School attended the event and expressed a variety of
ideas on improving their schools that will be examined by the board in
future planned and shared with school administrators.
Dec. 3, 2008
Farm Credit Forum Attracts High Profile Speakers
Farm Credit Canada organized a forum for its clients held at the Capri
Centre in Red Deer yesterday that attracted a large audience as well as
three high-profile speakers. CBC journalist Rex Murphy spoke of the
cultural ties between Western farmers and Eastern fishermen through
their common history. David Chilton, author of 'The Wealthy Barber'
outlined how the U.S. housing crisis will have a positive long-lasting
effect on consumers. The third speaker was Olympic gold-medal curler
Joan McCusker.
Dec. 2, 2008
City Adopts Community Culture Plan
Red Deer city council yesterday accepted the Community Culture Vision
and Outline for Actions as a planning tool for the next 10 years to be
used by the city's various departments for future planning of buildings,
green space and programs. The plan includes four values -- diversity,
authenticity, connections and rural roots leadership -- and the five
themes of diversity, green space, agora space, built space and
activities. As an update to the 2001 Red Deer Community Culture Master
Plan, it compliments the proposed Greater Downtown Action Plan and the
city's Strategic Plan for 2009-2011.
Rocky-Nordegg Trail Concept Gets Feedback
Clearwater County recently hosted an open house to gauge support and get
an idea from potential trail users about what they envision for the
120-km route of a proposed Rocky Mountain House to Nordegg Trail that
would mostly follow the abandoned Canadian National rail line
(originally the Canadian Northern Western Railway). Although most of the
46 people who attended support the concept, there were concerns
expressed about the cost (estimated at between $1 million and $2
million), how hikers, horses and quads can safely be accommodated, and
what impact a popular trail would have on the area. If the draft plan,
expected to be ready by March 2009, is accepted by the county, a key
decision will be whether to pursue costly upgrades to three rail trestle
bridges as well as rebuilding several smaller ones.
City Building Permits Boosted by Public Spending
The G.H. Dawe Community Centre renovations and expansion provided a $7.9
million boost to the city's building permit values in November. An
additional $1 million was issued for exterior work at the Provincial
Building bringing the total public category to $8.9 million. One permit
valued at $2.8 million for a 30,000 sq. ft. addition to Westward Parts
Services contributed to the $4.1 million in industrial permits.
Approvals for residential work added another $7.2 million. Commercial
permits added close to another $1 million for a permit total of $21.2
million for the month, up from $12.2 million in November 2007. The
$251.2 million worth of permits issued for the first 11 months of 2008
is well below the $414.6 million for the corresponding period last year.
Dec. 1, 2008
Annexation Compensation Plan Ready
The city of Red Deer and Red Deer County have agreed to a compensation
plan for both the current and future annexations outlined in the
Intermunicipal Development Plan. In the first phase of annexation,
currently under review by the Municipal Government Board, the city will
pay to the county the sum of $2.4 million in installments between 2010
and 2014. The 7,485-acre annexed area in phase one, expected to take
effect September 1, 2009, includes the Heritage Ranch area of Waskasoo
Park, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, Riverview Park, land north of
Highway 11A that includes significant industrial areas, and land east of
the current boundary stretching from the Red Deer River in the north to
Delburne Road in the south. The agreement requires passage of a bylaw by
both municipalities to officially become part of the IDP.
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