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News of the Red Deer Region
snippets and
summaries of news from local resources including media, press releases
and personal knowledge
January 2009 Part 2
Jan. 30, 2009
United Way Passes $2 Million Goal
The Central Alberta United Way 2008 campaign surpassed its $2 million
goal, the largest ever in its 43-year history, by over $2,000. The
fundraising efforts went well beyond the previous record set last year
at $1.78 million, in spite of the challenges in the economy. This year,
32 employee groups and corporations donated more than 10% above last
year's contributions. It's estimated that 1 in 3 Central Albertans will
use the services of organizations supported by the United Way. The money
will benefit 36 member agencies including the clothing bank,
schizophrenia society and women's shelter. A new partner this year is
the town of Sylvan Lake.
Proposed New City Civic Centre Revealed
A proposed expansion of Red Deer City Hall and civic centre project
using the current site of the city RCMP building across from the
downtown library was revealed yesterday. The $60-$70 million first phase
of the energy-efficient project includes a carpet of green vegetation on
the roof to improve insulation on a new building in order to provide
office space for city employees currently crowded in the existing city
hall and scattered around the downtown in leased offices. Funding will
come from the provincial municipal sustainability initiative. The second
phase includes a Plus-15 to connect the new building with the library
and the existing city hall which would undergo renovations and possibly
a new facade. A new section would also be added above the library for
council chambers and other offices. It is hoped that construction of
Phase 1 will get started at the end of 2010 or early 2011 once the new
RCMP building is competed and the old building demolished. Phase 2 will
start immediately after completion of Phase 1 provided funding is
secured.
City Aboriginal Housing Project Receives Funds
The Red Deer Native Friendship Society is receiving $2.6 million of $4.5
million needed to create 16 affordable rental units for aboriginal
people living off-reserve in the city. The Red Deer housing project will
be part of an $8 million plan that includes a new friendship centre. The
rental units, a mixture of one to three bedroom units, will be located
on the top floor and will house 32 to 40 people. The project is a
partnership between the Friendship Society, the City of Red Deer and the
Red Deer Curling Club with some provincial support. The Rocky Mountain
House area is also getting $2.1 million to develop 16 rental units.
Jan. 29, 2009
Local Builders and Realtors Pleased with Federal Budget
Officials with local construction and real estate associations are
pleased with the $40 billion stimulus spending in the federal budget
that includes a $11.8 billion toward infrastructure such as roads and
schools by the end of the 2010 fiscal year. Builders also like the new
renovation tax credit that will give homeowners up to $1,350 toward the
cost of home improvements. Realtors especially like the increase in the
amount of money first-time home buyers can withdraw from RRSPs to apply
toward the purchase and the government's decision to buy a further $50
billion of insured mortgages. Also appreciated is the commitment of new
money toward apprenticeship programs and other worker training.
Home Assessments Decline After Major Increases
Red Deer property assessment notices have been issued and, for the first
time in several years, values have gone down -- an average of 5.4%. In
2007, assessed home values jumped by 38% and in 2008, they rose another
27.7%. Assessments are based on what property values were on July1 of
the previous year. The property value is used to calculate the final tax
bill. However, reduced assessments do not translate into lower taxes.
The average city tax bill will actually increase an average of 7%.
Jan. 28, 2009
Good News Campaign Launched by Local Business
Local:First, an initiative to boost consumer and business confidence,
was officially launched yesterday to educate the public about the
strength and vitality of the Central Alberta region and stimulate
economic activity. The campaign is being co-ordinated by the Red Deer
Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Canadian Home Builders
Association (Central Alberta), the Central Alberta Realtors Association,
Red Deer Regional Economic Development (RDRED), Tourism Red Deer,
REaction Marketing Solutions and local media. The primary message is to
defray some of the negative news stories by promoting that the Red Deer
region is in the centre of the province with the strongest financial
position in the strongest country of the countries of the G8.
Civic Leaders Optimistic About Stimulus
Policies
Leaders of the community, including the mayor of Red Deer and officials
at the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce and Red Deer College, are optimistic
about the billions of dollars that the federal government plans to spend
on infrastructure projects to help stimulate the Canadian economy as
announced in yesterday's federal budget. Upgrades to area highways, the
airport, post-secondary institutions, recreational facilities and
regional water and wastewater systems are anticipated as some of the
projects that qualify for federal money. The newly-announced tax credit
for home renovations are also expected to generate significant local
economic activity.
Red Deer Taxpayers Face 7% Hike
Red Deer city council has finalized the operating budget for 2009 that
will result in an average 7% tax increase to city property owners. Items
in this year's $200 million budget include commitments from last year's
budget, the hiring of 4 fire-medics and 7 RCMP officers and anticipated
annexation costs. Due to rapid growth in previous years, the increase is
down from 8.5% during the last couple of years. The final tax bill won't
be known until the provincial budget determines the educational tax
requisition. In addition, council approved increases in most utility
fees.
Olds Seniors Facility Moving Forward
The new $17.8 million Mountain View Lodge seniors facility, expected to
be complete by late fall, will be constructed relatively quickly due to
pre-fab walls arriving this week. The new facility will accommodate up
to about 100 seniors, doubling the capacity of the existing lodge, and
will include a 13-suite safe wing for people with dementia. Once
completed, the old building will be demolished to make room for Phase 2
of the project, 12 independent living suites that should be complete in
spring 2010. Fundraising is underway to raise $300,000 for furnishings
such as couches, televisions and decor to make the new facility feel
like home for residents.
Tourism Guide Now Available
The 2009 Red Deer and Area Official Visitor's Guide is now available for
distribution across Alberta, Canada and internationally. Tourism Red
Deer has printed 45,000 of the guides. The guide can also be viewed
online at the Tourism Red Deer website. In the city, the guide will be
available at the visitor's information centre, AMA, local hotels and
city facilities.
Downtown Concrete Firm Moving to Red Deer County
Inland Concrete, which has had a concrete plant close to downtown Red
Deer since the 1950s, is constructing a new facility in Clearview
Industrial Park in Red Deer County immediately south of the city. The
new plant will be more efficient and capable of higher volumes with the
same manpower. Construction is expected to be completed this summer. The
existing plant, located along Taylor Drive in an area that will become
the redeveloped Riverlands, will likely be sold eventually once the new
plant is functioning properly. The company also has plants in Lacombe,
Ponoka and Olds.
Jan. 27, 2009
Council Tables Downtown Redevelopment Plan
The Greater Downtown Red Deer Action Plan Update was presented to city
council yesterday and council decided to table it for two weeks to give
the general public one last chance to comment before final approval. The
plan includes unique features to draw residents, businesses and
out-of-town visitors to the city centre including limited waterways and
other water features, a hotel and convention centre, a landmark
pedestrian bridge across the river and both indoor and outdoor gathering
centres. Other features include high-density housing, greater access to
the river, a large public market and heritage nodes. It also encourages
planners to think up rather than out. Although a concept to create a
series of canals with boats was dropped in the plan, a tourism
sub-committee of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce was lauded for making
the city think bigger.
Red Deer Museum to Undergo Renovations
A $1.2 million renovation of the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery is set
to begin in May in order to accommodate larger exhibits. Some interior
walls will be removed and removable walls installed to create more
flexibility. The four-month renovation project includes changing the
museum's 30-year-old lighting system and moving staff offices to the
front of the building. The project is considered a temporary measure
designed to make the museum more functional and community-friendly until
funds become available to build a larger new heritage and arts centre in
about ten years.
Rock Dams to Protect Ravine and Sanctuary
In order to protect the environmentally sensitive Gaetz Lakes ravine and
sanctuary from erosion due to housing development above it at the
Michener Hill East Village site, the city of Red Deer will erect at
least three rock dams upstream in the ravine. The $65 million seniors
housing complex is paving what used to be grass that absorbed water
runoff. As a result, there is a risk that a sudden surge of water could
cause major erosion to natural areas with lots of wildlife and unique
ecosystems unless the dams are built. The dams will consist of 100-200
kg. rocks, some 22 metres wide, that will block the flow of water down
the ravine.
Council Gives First Reading to Garden Heights Plan
Red Deer city council gave first reading to the Garden Heights
Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan yesterday that would see high-density
housing and plenty of green space north of 67 Street and west of 30
Avenue in the former location of garden plots. About 460 housing units,
trails and parks are planned on 60 acres. Another 97 acres of
environmental reserve will be preserved. Wildlife will have enough room
to travel because the treed ravine and escarpment will be kept.
Jan. 23, 2009
Final Draft of City Downtown Plan Revealed
The final draft of the Greater Downtown Red Deer Action Plan Update was
revealed at city hall yesterday. The update reflects a growing interest
in long-term high-density urban development and greater pedestrian
access to the riverfront. Three areas of the expanding downtown are the
focus of the plan -- Historic Downtown in the city centre as a place to
work, Riverlands west of the city centre close to the river as a place
to play, and Railyards northwest of the city centre as a place to live
-- although all three areas would have mixed use development. The
Riverlands area has gained the most interest as a unique opportunity to
develop a former industrial area largely being vacated. Plans include a
pedestrian bridge to connect Bower Ponds with the downtown, a 'Spirit of
the River' plaza, a new hotel and convention centre, a year-round indoor
garden and water centre. The full build-out of the plan is expected to
take 20-25 years to complete. The plan goes to city council on Monday.
Proposed Riverlands Compared to Granville Island
The newly-installed president of the Red Deer Downtown Business
Association, Al Gamble, believes plans for a commercial and cultural
area along the Red Deer River in the Riverlands area sets the stage for
an attraction similar to Granville Island in Vancouver. A pedestrian
bridge to a large existing recreation area on the other side of the
river, the river itself and bus barns that can be turned into a major
public market in the near future provide the potential for the
development of a significant attraction.
Highway 2A Urban Plan Revised Again
A major redevelopment plan along a 15-km stretch of Highway 2A in
Lacombe County between the towns of Blackfalds and Lacombe is undergoing
another major revision after fierce opposition about the first two
concepts. The controversial proposed Highway 2A Urban Corridor Area
Structure Plan is evolving into a more country residential model from
the original urban expansion model. High-density, urban-style
development west of the highway near Lacombe Lake have been replaced
with country residential and a proposed industrial area north of
Blackfalds has also largely been replaced with country residential. The
plan, which has been in the works for two years and is costing the
county an additional $24,000 to complete as a result of the various
revisions, will go to a public open house on Feb. 25 in Lacombe. It is
scheduled to go to a third set of public hearings in April.
New City Dog Park Could be Ready by Spring
A second off-leash dog park to be located on the former city landfill
south of Delburne Road and east of Westerner Park could be ready in
March. Some landscaping and canine recreation equipment will be
installed. The new dog park will be more wide open than the other
off-leash park at Three Mile Bend.
Lacombe County Provides Cash to Blackfalds
Lacombe County council has approved a donation of $95,000 to upgrade
Blackfalds recreation facilities. A $200,000 project for exterior
renovations as well as washroom and kitchen upgrades at the Blackfalds
and District Community Hall received $50,000 and a $185,000 project to
build two new concession and washroom buildings at the All-Star Ball
Park received $45,000. The county may also provide assistance to a
$114,000 project to build an outdoor hockey rink next to the existing
hockey arena.
Red Deer County Provides Cash for Innisfail Bus
Red Deer County council has approved $100,000 towards the purchase of a
new $475,000 community bus by the Innisfail Community Bus Society. The
town of Innisfail has provided $137,000 towards the project. The society
hopes to receive $100,000 from the province and will fundraise the rest.
The current bus which is getting old is widely used by local seniors,
sports groups, the high school band and others. It has travelled as far
as California, Winnipeg and Alaska.
Jan. 22, 2009
City North Recreation Centre On Schedule
A major renovation project at the G.H. Dawe Centre in north Red Deer is
on schedule and expects to be completed in the spring of 2010. Much of
the underground work, including foundations, basements, electrical
systems, water lines and sanitary lines are completed. The facelift and
expansion will create a bigger aquatic centre, a community gymnasium,
new multi-purpose rooms, a much larger library, a weight-training area
and a child-minding space. Detailed plans include a new play pool and
spray park, two waterslides, a steam room and sauna, and a larger
handicapped-accessible hot tub. The existing lane-swimming pool will
remain as will a redesigned kids pool.
Jan. 21, 2009
Red Deer Transit Considers Future Trends
Red Deer Transit is looking to the future promoting the concept of
hybrid buses, testing a double decker bus, expanding into future
annexation areas and exploring regional transit service. The department
currently runs 48 buses on 34 bus routes and 14 handibuses which offer
door-to-door specialized service. Another transit bus and three more
handibuses are being requested this year. The area expected to be
annexed later this year will initially be serviced by a handibus as a
pilot project. A double decker bus will be tested for a week this
spring. A new service will be launched in the summer to connect the city
with Gasoline Alley and Springbrook in Red Deer County. For the future,
the department is looking into hybrid buses as part of a growing trend
in North America toward energy-saving and greener public transportation.
New Rimbey Subdivision Starts With Hotel
Work is underway on a 3-storey, 60-unit Best Western Hotel in Rimbey
that will be the first phase of a new subdivision called Rimstone Ridge
south of the Rimbey Hospital. The hotel, that will include a waterslide,
swimming pool and conference room, is expected to be completed by late
September or early October. The developer also plans to build a pair of
apartment buildings on the 30-acre parcel as well as other types of
housing.
City Plans More Parking at Fort Normandeau
Red Deer County council is supporting the city of Red Deer's plan to add
a 135-stall parking area at Fort Normandeau immediately west of the city
boundaries and Highway 2. Parking is needed not only for the historic
site but for the increased use of the Red Deer River as a recreational
resource. In recent years, vehicles have been parked in areas that are
unsafe during hot summer days when inner-tubers take to the river. First
reading of a bylaw to lease seven acres of municipal reserve to the city
was passed by council.
Jan. 20, 2009
City Expansion and Growth Create Challenges
Mayor Morris Flewwelling and city manager Craig Curtis described some of
the challenges being faced by the city as a result of rapid expansion of
city boundaries and population growth at a meeting of the Rotary Club
recently. One of the biggest challenges is the $133 million highway
project linking Highway 11A to 30 Avenue, scheduled to start
construction in 2009. The province would need to fund $107 million of
the project for it to proceed and there has been no confirmation that
the funding has been approved. Another challenge is that the city's
footprint is set to expand by 40% in the fall of 2009 in addition to two
previous annexations over the past few years. There are a host of
expensive projects related to growth that require further planning and
funding including a proposed high speed rail terminal and expansion of
the runways at Red Deer Regional Airport. Plans already underway include
the Greater Downtown Action Plan and expansion of Westerner Park. With a
slowdown in economic activity, some plans may take considerable time to
implement according to the officials. Even maintaining current city
service levels in a growing city without an excessive burden of
taxpayers is a major challenge. The officials are looking forward to
economic stimulus plans by both the federal and provincial governments
that could assist with funding of infrastructure projects.
Green Downtown Housing Plan Revised
Construction is expected to get started this spring on a 6-storey
environmentally green residential building in downtown Red Deer called
Swerve Living. It will have 36 residential suites, instead of the 31
previously planned, including 22 'workforce' rental suites and 14
condominium suites. There will also be 5 ground-floor commercial spaces.
The interior central courtyard has been replaced with a grand staircase.
Instead, there will be a small outdoor courtyard that will allow natural
lighting to enter all the suites. The building will be located on the
former Independent Business Products site. In late 2006, the city's
municipal planning commission approved the project with no parking on or
off site to encourage vehicle-free living through the use of public
transit, cycling and walking. That provision may be modified in the
revised plan.
Scott Block to Renew Downtown Arts and Culture Profile
The new owner of the Scott Block in downtown Red Deer, Artifact
Properties, is doing some renovations and promoting the facility as a
high-profile arts and culture centre. Renovations include a fresh coat
of paint, new flooring and skylights on the second floor to attract
tenants. The Red Deer and District Community Foundation is one of the
new tenants moving in. A small section of the lobby will be leased to a
retail business. A long-term non-exclusive agreement with Treehouse
Youth Theatre has been secured for theatre space on the main floor. The
theatre will be available for other groups when not needed by Treehouse
in hopes that the facility will be busy most of the time. A church and
the Central Alberta Pattern Dancers will occasionally use the space. The
City of Red Deer, which had provided $230,000 in grants a few years ago,
agreed to the sale of the building provided that at least 7,000 sq. ft.
of space be used for arts and culture.
Clearwater County Raises Taxes by 2.5%
Property owners in Clearwater County can expect an average 2.5% increase
in their taxes this year as a result of county council passing a $63
million combined capital and operational budget. The $44 million capital
budget includes some major road upgrades and other infrastructure
improvements. The next phase of a residential subdivision in Nordegg
will be developed this year and an engineering study to upgrade the
wastewater system in Nordegg will also proceed.
Stettler County Provides Funds to Communities
Seven communities are the recipients of grants totalling $175,000
approved by Stettler County. Funds for community facilities include a
new playground for Erskine School, renovations for Big Valley Hall,
equestrian centre arena for Donalda Ag Society, renovations to Erskine
Lodge, new playground for Nevis Community Hall, storage and concession
for Big Valley Ag Society, roofing upgrade to Gadsby Community Hall,
renovations for Sullivan Lake West Ag Society hall, and upgrades to
Linda Hall. In addition, three museums in Stettler, Big Valley and
Donalda and two libraries in Stettler and Big Valley received grants
totalling over $90,000.
Jan. 19, 2009
Groundwork for Plasco Plant Expected This Summer
Plasco Energy Group expects that ground work at the Horn Hill Waste
Transfer Site east of Penhold for the 200-tonne-a-day $70 million
waste-to-energy gasification plant will begin this summer and be
operational in the summer of 2010. It will be one of the first, if not
the first, commercial operations. Another is planned for Ottawa through
a partnership with that city. Plasco will build and operate the Central
Alberta plant with garbage being supplied by several municipalities
including the city of Red Deer and Red Deer County. The company hopes to
have contracts for a dozen plants in the next 18 months. The company's
first assembly plant to turn out the parts for the gasification plants
will likely be built in Southern Ontario. However, the Red Deer County
plant will likely attract municipal officials from all over North
America to see how the system works.
Jan. 17, 2009
Creekside Estate Lots Prepared for Development
Clearing has been completed for servicing of 29 estate lots backing onto
the prime natural area along Piper Creek in the quiet Bower subdivision
in south Red Deer close to a major shopping centre. The neighbourhood,
to be known as Creekside in Bower, is being marketed by Melcor
Developments and is expected to be serviced this coming spring. The
serviced lots, that range in price from $200,000 to $400,000, will
likely be turned over to builders this summer.
Pilot Project Assists Temporary Foreign Workers
Temporary foreign workers in Central Alberta now have a place to go for
employment and community advice, thanks to the Temporary Foreign Workers
Settlement program funded by Alberta Employment and Immigration. It is
one of eight two-year pilot projects in the province which helps the
workers integrate into life and culture in the region including everyday
community skills. Most temporary foreign workers in Central Alberta have
jobs in the hotel industry, fast food restaurants, meat plants and
restaurant kitchens.
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