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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
May 2009 Part 2
May 30, 2009
Plasco Gasification
Plant to Start This Summer
The project manager for the proposed $90 million Plasco waste-to-energy
gasification plant in Red Deer County met with members of the Central
Waste Management Commission yesterday to assure them that the project is
still on schedule to start construction this summer and be completed
late next year. The 200-tonne-a-day plant is to be built next to the
Horn Hill Waste Transfer site east of Penhold and Highway 2. The nine
municipal members of the commission (the city of Red Deer, Red Deer
County, the towns of Innisfail, Sylvan Lake, Penhold, Bowden and
Blackfalds, and the villages of Delburne and Elnora) will provide
garbage to the plant, the first commercial venture of its kind.
New Hotel to be Built at Blackfalds
Construction on a 72-room nationally-branded hotel is expected to get
underway in Blackfalds this August. The estimated $7.5 million facility,
to be built on the east side of Highway 2A, will include a swimming
pool, hot tub and exercise room. The project, set for completion next
year, will likely attract additional businesses in the vicinity such as
a convenience store and restaurant.
May 29, 2009
Major Projects Boost Building Activity in
Innisfail
Two multi-million dollar projects in Innisfail will dramatically
increase the value of building permits in the town. A $9 million new
library and civic centre will move forward as a result of last week's
announcement of a $6 million grant from the Canada-Alberta Building
Canada Fund. In addition, Central Alberta Co-op is proceeding with a
$6.4 million, 32,000 sq. ft. Home and Agro Centre, doubling its
operations of its two existing buildings.
Lacombe Athletic Park Gets County Cash
Lacombe County is providing up to $100,000 in cash and $300,000 in
construction help for the proposed $2.8 million Lacombe Athletic Park
next to Lacombe Composite High School. The new facility would include an
artificial turf sports field for football, soccer, rugby, lacrosse and
track and field. There would also be a fieldhouse with dressing rooms,
observation tower, concession booth and storage space.
May 28, 2009
Proposed Sylvan Lake Marina Expansion
Modified
As part of Sylvan Lake's Waterfront Redevelopment Plan adopted by town
council in 2008, it was suggested that a 200-slip expansion of the
current 180-slip marina be included in the plan. The town is now
conducting a feasibility study for a 140-slip expansion next to the
existing facility. The plan would include a breakwater on the west side
of the proposed marina. A private-public agreement would likely be
required to proceed with the proposal. The marina is owned by Medican, a
company that has built a number of condominium properties in the town
and region.
May 26, 2009
River Watershed
Showing Signs of Stress
The Red Deer River Watershed Alliance presented its State of the
Watershed Report to the public yesterday. The report states that the
river system, including its sub-watersheds, is under stress as a result
of agricultural practices, oil and gas activity, shoreline development
and loss of vegetation and wetland. Of the 15 sub-watersheds, five were
given a poor rating -- the Blindman, Medicine, Buffalo, Kneehill and
Michichi. Lower water quality is attributed to loss of native
vegetation, road development, oil and gas activity and increased surface
water nutrient level contamination from fertilizer, manure and sewage.
Two sub-watersheds, on the extreme east and west end of the system, were
given good grades. The remainder were in the middle, including the
Waskasoo, Raven, James, Little Red Deer, Three Hills and Rosebud. Some
sub-watersheds, including the Waskasoo, are lacking significant data.
Both the city of Red Deer and Red Deer County were commended for their
increasing efforts to protect the watershed but much more needs to be
done. The plan for a regional wastewater system was also lauded. The Red
Deer River watershed forms the largest sub-basin of the South
Saskatchewan River basin and is the only river in southern Alberta that
is still available for new water licenses.
Westerner Days is Good for City Economy
A study, commissioned by the Canadian Association of Fairs and
Exhibitions, concludes that the annual 5-day Westerner Days Fair and
Exposition will have a gross economic impact of more than $7.3 million
this year. The study indicates that about $5 million will be spent by
non-local attendees, including $3 million on attractions and concessions
at the fairgrounds and another $1.5 million off-site. Another finding of
the study was that 43% of the more than 90,000 people who attended last
July came from outside the Red Deer area.
Historic Downtown Arlington Inn
Demolished
After several months of controversy and in spite of a petition to save
it, the 110-year-old Arlington Inn in downtown Red Deer across from the
historical railway station was demolished yesterday. In its heyday, the
hotel was considered the city's finest but has deteriorated in recent
years. The City of Red Deer bought the hotel last fall as part of a
strategy to revitalize the downtown and provide a gateway to the future
development of Riverlands west of the downtown. A number of artifacts
from the hotel were previously removed. Until a developer comes forward
with a satisfactory proposal to build on the very prominent corner site,
the property will be used as a parking lot. The cost of purchase and
demolition is around $1.5 million.
May 25, 2009
Sundre Rallies for Red Deer River
Diversion
Hundreds of people from Sundre and area as well as other parts of the
province marched through the town Sunday afternoon in an effort to bring
attention to the need for a permit to divert the Red Deer River back to
a previous channel before another flood seriously damages the town. Save
Our Sundre (SOS) who organized the rally, is a group that is lobbying
the federal and provincial governments to get the needed permission
before work can be done. Since the flood of 2005 when the river
dramatically changed its course, the river has moved closer to the town
each year raising fears that the next flood will devastate the town.
Entertainment for Westerner Days
Announced
This year's Westerner Days, set for July 15 to 19, promises to be even
more family and environmentally friendly than in previous years. This
year, the theme of the event is 'Celebrate the Kid in You' and the
Harvest Centre will feature Kiddie Land and other family-oriented
activities. Several energy-saving initiatives including wind power will
decrease the environmental impact of the event. Concerts this year will
include performances by The Trews, Gord Bamford and George Canyon, The
Stampeders and Aaron Pritchett. Another feature is the African Acrobats.
The parade will start at 9:30 am July 15. Last year's Westerner Days
attracted over 90,000 people and this year's event is expected to
generate about $5 million to the local economy from visitors to the
city.
May 23, 2009
Four Recipients for Annual
Heritage
Awards
The Red Deer Heritage Preservation Committee announced yesterday the
four winners of the 8th annual Heritage Recognition Awards. The David
Thompson Health Region (now part of Alberta Health Services) received
the award for the reconstruction and restoration of the historic
Michener Centre administration building severely damaged in a 2003 fire
and now used as the health region's administrative centre. Sunnybrook
Farm Museum received the award for its many year-round programs,
displays, special events and tours. Harlan Hulleman received the award
for his involvement in many historic projects including the book 'The
Little Village That Grew', a walking tour of North Red Deer, the
restoration of the North Cottage School and the Alberta Central Railway
bridge pier mural along Taylor Drive. The Red Deer Main Street Project
received the award for the restoration and enhancement of several
historic downtown buildings between 2000 and 2007 as well as marketing
and economic development projects.
Downtown Affordable Housing Project Opens
The historic Buffalo Hotel in downtown Red Deer has been converted to an
affordable living option for people who would otherwise be homeless.
Yesterday's official opening was emceed by the city's mayor Morris
Flewwelling who has been a major promoter of ending homelessness. The
former hotel's 40 rooms have been converted to small suites and
residents have access to laundry services, clean showers and full-time
staff. The former tavern has become a place of worship and the cafe
still serves fresh coffee and hot meals. The project resulted from a
joint effort from a variety of groups including the city, Potter's
Hands, Canadian Mental Health Association and Canada Mortgage and
Housing.
May 22, 2009
Several Regional Projects Get
Stimulus Funding
Stimulus funding from the federal and provincial governments were
announced yesterday in Penhold for several projects in Central Alberta
as part of a $300 million program for communities with a population
under 100,000 across the province. Penhold will receive funding for
Phase II of the Multiplex project, Innisfail for a regional library and
the Metis community near Buffalo lake for a museum. Water and wastewater
projects in Eckville, Rimbey, Sundre, Sylvan Lake, Stettler County and
Red Deer County will receive funding. In addition, road projects in
Ponoka, Three Hills and Stettler County will get funding. Specific
amounts were not announced. Aside from the stimulus effect, the funding
is aimed at providing jobs and helping communities catch up with
infrastructure from the high growth experienced in recent years. As a
bonus, current construction and materials costs are down as much as 40%
from a year ago.
City Civic Yard Complex Officially Opens
Red Deer officials and staff celebrated the official opening of the new
massive 70-acre, 9-building civic yards yesterday in the Riverside Heavy
Industrial Park in the north central part of the city. Construction
started in 2007 on the $118 million project and close to 500 employees
from Public Works, Electric Light and Power, Environmental Services,
Transit and part of the Recreation, Parks and Culture departments moved
in this spring. The new site includes many environmentally-friendly
features including harvesting rain water, solar panels, recycled power
poles and lots of green space.
Red Deer College New Enrolments Increase
First-year applications for fall programs at Red Deer College are up
15.6% this year at 4,270 compared to 3,693 enrolments last year. The
changing economy is considered the primary reason for the increase.
Although applications are up for virtually all programs, the most
popular are the university and university transfer programs including
Bachelor of Science Nursing, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education.
The new computer information systems diploma is also quite popular.
Country Drive Expands to Four Tour Dates
The annual Country Drive, started in 2005 as one self-guided weekend
tour of attractions, farms and rural businesses mostly in Red Deer
County, is expanding this year to include more businesses across a wider
area and four seasonal dates. The spring tour is set for May 30 & 31
with 17 sites, the summer tour August 1 & 2 with 22 sites, the fall tour
October 10 & 11 with 11 sites and a Christmas tour December 5 & 6 with 9
sites.
May 21, 2009
Children's Festival Gets Federal Grant
The Central Alberta Children's Festival has received a $22,000 grant
from the federal government through the Building Communities through
Arts and Heritage program. The value of festival costs is about $160,000
and is made possible by donations of volunteer time as well as funding
from local organizations, local businesses and other grants. The 3rd
annual festival this year runs June 5 and 6 near the downtown Recreation
Centre with a wide range of activities for the young and young-at-heart.
Housing Sales Show
Signs of Improvement
Home sales in Central Alberta climbed to their highest level since last
fall in April, with 178 MLS sales in the city and 163 in the surrounding
region. Although lower than the same month in 2008, the over-year
difference has narrowed considerably. Last month's residential sales
increased 17% over March. With seasonally adjusted increases of 16% in
January, 10% in February and 2.5% in March, total gains since December
have been 28%. The number of active listings declined 13% bringing more
stability to supply and demand. The median price of MLS residential
properties sold in the region in April was $263,000, compared to
$260,000 in March and $284,000 in April 2008.
Continental Group Wowed by Westerner
Facility
Red Deer is currently playing host to the North American Farm Show
Council's annual general meeting, with representatives from many of the
association's 25 farm show members. Members were very impressed with
Westerner Park's facilities during their tour yesterday. Westerner Park
has been home to the annual Agri-Trade Farm Equipment Exposition for the
past 25 years. The group's AGM was last held in Red Deer eleven years
ago and they were particularly impressed with how much the facility has
expanded. Founder and manager of Agri-Trade, Pat Kennedy, is
past-president of the council and was instrumental in having the meeting
in Red Deer this year.
CMHC Regional Forecasts Questioned
The president of the Central Alberta Realtors Association is much more
optimistic about the housing market in the region than what was forecast
by CMHA (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.) recently. A late spring
might have made real estate activity appear more depressed than it
really is. Several positive indicators, including historically low
interest rates, improved energy prices and government incentives, could
improve the housing situation as the year progresses. In addition, there
are indications of both improved local interest in home purchases and a
softening of tight lending practices by the banks.
May 20, 2009
City Civic Centre Project to Proceed
Red Deer city council yesterday agreed to spend $2.87 million on
detailed design work on a new civic centre building proposed for the
current site of the city RCMP detachment which will be vacated and
demolished once the new police building is completed next year. Located
across the street from the current city hall, the proposed 4-storey,
113,000 sq. ft. building is estimated to cost $58.5 million. The
facility would be designed to allow for an additional 5 storeys over the
next 40 years. The second stage of the project involves further
expansion, renovation to the existing city hall and library,
redevelopment of city hall park and a pedway linking the old city hall
and library to the new facility. The 39-year-old current city hall is
overcrowded and some departments are operating out of other leased space
in the downtown.
City, County Seek Joint Funding for
Ski
Hill
The City of Red Deer and Red Deer County are each seeking $500,000 from
the federal Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program to assist with
the Canyon Ski & Recreation Area redevelopment project. The two
municipalities have agreed in principle to jointly purchase the popular
243-acre facility, Alberta's largest non-mountain ski area, located east
of the city. Red Deer County approved the grant application yesterday
and city council is expected to approve the application next week. A
special joint council meeting is planned for June 23 to consider
finalizing the purchase. Under the federal program, the government will
fund up to one-third of repair, maintenance and renovation costs for
community recreation facilities.
CMHC Expects Housing Slowdown to Continue
Canada's national housing agency, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., is
projecting that housing starts in Red Deer will fall to 425 this year,
compared to the 572 starts in 2008 and 1,558 starts in 2007. The
forecast also anticipates that 3,550 home sales will be processed
through the Multiple Listing Service in Central Alberta this year,
compared to 4,214 in 2008 and 5,075 in 2007. The average resale price in
2009 is expected to be $264,000, compared to $278,040 in 2008 and
$270,494 in 2007. In 2010, the numbers are expected to modestly improve
with 515 housing starts in Red Deer and 3,770 home resales across
Central Alberta. The revised forecast is somewhat lower than the one
published in February. The revised forecast reflects the relatively high
inventory of unsold homes, the increasing price gap between new homes
and existing homes and the slower in-migration of people to the region.
However, the situation in Central Alberta is better than in other parts
of the province and country.
May 19, 2009
Popular City Public Market Opens for Season
The 39th annual season of Red Deer's Public Market opened Saturday with
good weather, thousands of visitors and at least 160 vendors. Products
include locally-grown food, crafts and a wide range of other products.
The market runs every Saturday through the summer until the Thanksgiving
long weekend from 8 am to 12:30 pm.
May 16, 2009
Grant Funding Loss Could Delay City Projects
The city of Red Deer is facing a $4.3 million shortfall in grants this
year from the provincial government due to the current economic
uncertainty. In the provincial budget this year, the Municipal
Sustainability Initiative was reduced by one third resulting in Red
Deer's share being reduced from an expected $12.4 million to $8 million.
This year, some projects could be delayed but if the shortfall continues
next year, further delays or postponement of major projects may be
necessary or alternate forms of funding may have to be sought.
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