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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
August 2009 Part
1
August 15, 2009
New Sylvan Lake Washrooms to Start Soon
A $2.1 million project to construct new washroom facilities in the
provincial park along Sylvan Lake beach is expected to get under way in
September and be completed by April 2010. The eight men's and eight
women's stalls will feature heated floors, a nearly indestructible
design and architecturally pleasing. The project also includes a deck
space between the two structures, change rooms and outdoor showers. The
washrooms will eventually link with a planned promenade between the road
and the beach which is part of the $28 million Lakeshore Drive
Redevelopment.
Wal-Mart Plans Major Expansion for City
Store
Wal-Mart Canada has applied to the city for a major renovation and
29,400 sq. ft. expansion of its south Red Deer store that would provide
for conversion of the store into a supercentre that would carry a full
range of grocery items. The building, which was built in 2000 as part of
Southpointe Common, currently consists of 130,000 sq. ft.
August 14, 2009
Municipalities Try to Salvage
2A Plan
A controversial proposed area structure plan along the Highway 2A
corridor between the towns of Lacombe and Blackfalds in Lacombe County
is being reviewed by the three municipalities in order to try to salvage
it. Over two years, an agreement for long-term development was revised
several times after meetings with the public but the most recent change
by the County of allowing six rather than twelve acre lots has created
some conflict with the two towns which would eventually annex the area.
An attempt will be made over the next few weeks to find some middle
ground.
Ponoka Aquaplex Gets Federal Funding
The federal government has announced $60,000 in funding for renovations
to the Ponoka Aquaplex through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada
program. The renovations include new windows, tiling the pool deck,
changing the chlorine systems and replacing water filters that will
improve energy efficiency and water quality.
August 13, 2009
Red Deer Housing
Starts Increase From Last Year
Red Deer is one of three Alberta cities that posted an increase in
housing starts in July over the same month last year. Canada Mortgage
and Housing Corp. reports that work began on 43 homes last month,
including 37 single-detached houses, compared to 37 housing starts of
which 21 were single family homes in July 2008. Lethbridge and Edmonton
also posted an increase. Year to date, Red Deer still lags behind 2008
with 203 construction starts from January to July compared to 371 for
the same period last year. The 147 single-detached starts during the
first seven months of the year compare to 205 during the same period in
2008.
Viking Ship Replica Arrives in Red Deer
An authentic replica of a Viking four-oared boat that dates back to 850
AD and was used to invade, conquer and pillage arrived in Red Deer
Wednesday as part of a cross-Canada tour. The vessel will be put on
display at the Danish National Museum in Dickson once the tour ends and
will be the only one of its kind in Western Canada. Named the Freydis
Joanna, the boat, made of Danish oak and fir, was built in Denmark and
transported to Canada at a cost of $70,000. It will travel to Edmonton
next and then to Ponoka.
Two Regional Communities Featured in
Magazine
The Town of Sylvan Lake and Mountain View County paid for profiles in
the summer edition of Trade & Commerce, a quarterly Canadian
business-to-business magazine, in order to attract prospective
investors. Sylvan Lake is looking for private and public investment in a
hotel and/or convention centre, light industrial businesses, an urgent
care centre and arts and culture facilities for the fast-growing town.
Mountain View County wants to raise awareness of the new Netook Crossing
Business Park east of Olds and along Highway 2.
No More Free Parking for Westerner Major
Events
Starting in September, patrons who attend major events at Westerner Park
will have to pay a $3 fee per vehicle. Over the summer, an expanded and
reorganized parking lot added 580 stalls at the facility and has made
parking more convenient. The new fee will cover the cost of adding the
extra stalls and for ongoing maintenance including snow removal.
August 12, 2009
Federal Funding Bid Delays
Plasco Plant
Construction of the $90 million Plasco gasification plant on a
seven-acre site next to the Horn Hill Waste Transfer Site east of
Penhold has been delayed until the fall while the Plasco Energy Group
waits for word on a possible $22 million in federal funding. The
200-tonne-a-day plant was to have started construction during the summer
and completed in 2010. Plasco officials indicate that the plant will
proceed regardless but may take longer without the federal funding.
Bowden Inmates Assist With Community
Projects
Inmates involived in the minimum security Bowden Institution's Community
Service Work Program have volunteered about 15,000 hours of community
outreach since the program began in 1994. Several non-profit groups
including area museums, agricultural societies, recreational facilities
and the RCMP have benefited from the program which allows inmates to
meet new people and prepare for life outside the prison.
College May Receive Loan for
Road Work
A $5.2 million city road project underway on 32 Street that will change
access to Red Deer College and provide better traffic flow for both
local residents and through traffic is being shared by the college. The
college had agreed to pay 25% of the project, projected to be completed
by September, amounting to $1.33 million of which one million dollars
has been paid. The city is considering a loan for the remaining $330,000
that would be paid by September 2011. The college expects to receive
funding for the project from the province. The former entrance to the
college will be closed, signalized intersections created at 55 and 57
Streets and turning capacity improved.
August 11, 2009
Ski Patrol to Help Keep City Trails Safe
The Red Deer chapter of the Canadian Ski Patrol has made an arrangement
with the city to provide eyes, ears and first-aid along Red Deer's trail
system as well as to keep members fit. Each of the 15 members are
expected to go out from one to six hours per weeks equipped with
cellphones, first-aid kits and bicycle repair kits. It is believed to be
the first time that a Canadian Ski Patrol chapter has offered its
services to a municipal trail system.
Red Deer College Applications Up 22%
An unusual 22% increase in applications for programs at Red Deer College
will likely result in a 10% increase in full-time equivalent students
this fall. Registrations are already up 6%. The Bachelor of Science in
Nursing program is full with a waiting list. Programs attracting the
most applications are career and academic preparation, also known as
adult upgrading, indicating a reflection of the current economic
situation. Most applicants are currently or recently in the work force.
Increased applications are for Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Arts,
pharmacy technician, social work, unit clerk, practical nurse, music,
health care aide, computer information systems and network systems
technology. Interest in trades courses is also still very strong.
City Council Gives Southpointe Plan First
Reading
Red Deer city council has given first reading to the Southpointe
Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan, a 157-acre triangular parcel next to
Taylor Drive and Highway 2. The area could accommodate 1,655 residents,
have office and commercial space with 30% of the parcel dedicated as
open and natural space including 17 acres of the 21-acre Bower Natural
Area and municipal reserve along Waskasoo Creek. The plan was submitted
by Qualico Developments as well as Red Deer College and the Bower family
who own the land. An eco-innovation business park is also proposed on
college land. Most of the proposed residential, commercial and office
use, known as Southpointe Junction, will be developed by Qualico. A
public hearing will be held in early September. The planning commission
gave its approval in July.
Olds Business Designs Safe
Playgrounds
The Playground Guys, a business based in Olds that designs and supplies
playground equipment to schools and municipalities in Western Canada,
has set up hundreds of playgrounds including about 35 in Red Deer. The
company has recently diversified into adult outdoor fitness equipment
with a pilot station built in Trochu last year and more elaborate
outdoor gyms in Red Deer.
August 10, 2009
Royals Perform Well in European Band
Contests
The Red Deer Royals Marching Show Band won silver in two categories
during the World Music Contest and the World Championships for Marching
Show Bands in the Netherlands during a recent three-week tour of Europe
that included several performances in Ireland, Germany and the
Netherlands. The group is made up of 115 members ranging in age from 12
to 22 and are from a dozen communities in Central Alberta.
August 8, 2009
Official Museum Status for
Laft Hus
Recognized museum designation has been achieved by the Norwegian Laft
Hus in Red Deer's Heritage Square near the downtown recreation centre.
The new status for the distinctive sod-roofed log house resembling a
traditional 17th century Norwegian farm house, makes it eligible for
additional funding for preserving, interpreting and studying Norwegian
heritage.
August 7, 2009
Airport Company Fights BC
Wildfires
Air Spray, a company based at the Red Deer Regional Airport at
Springbrook, has had five tanker planes, instead of the usual three,
working out of the Prince George BC airport since mid-July to fight the
various wildfires burning in that province. The company also has three
small turbo passenger Bird Dog planes to guide the tankers and about 25
staff to fly and maintain the aircraft. The tankers, at one time
passenger aircraft, can fly eight km a minute carrying 13,000 litres
(3,000 gallons) of fire retardant.
August 6, 2009
Water Intake Project Detours City Trail
A portion of the Red Deer Waskasoo Trail system behind the water
treatment plant is being closed temporarily for construction of the $17
million water intake project that will triple the amount of water
brought into the plant from the Red Deer River. Hikers and bicyclists
will be diverted to the opposite side of the river over the former
Canadian Pacific railway bridge until the project finishes later next
year. The trail will be improved and widened once the water project is
completed. The new intake will be closer to the river bank replacing the
one now close to the centre of the river.
August 5, 2009
Westerner Staff Moves to New Building
Administrative staff at Westerner Park have moved into the new $3
million, 12,600 sq. ft. Donald Administration Building, named after Jack
and Joan Donald who contributed half the cost of the facility. Staff had
been working out of a cramped 'temporary' modular building for several
years. It is the latest step in an ongoing major plan to improve the
park's facilities.
August 4, 2009
New Blackfalds Industry Prepares for
Future
Wajax Industries opened its new 33,000 sq. ft. crane sales outlet and
repair facility in the Blackfalds Industrial Park in May after a year of
construction. In spite of the economic slowdown, especially in the
energy sector, the company is using the lull to develop its staff and
equipment and prepare for the upcoming increase in activity. It is the
biggest of 31 outlets across Canada and serves the road and residential
construction industries in addition to the energy sector.
August 1, 2009
City Ready for
Annexation Approval
Red Deer city hall is prepared for government approval of an annexation
proposal that would increase the city's land mass by 40% expected to be
effective September 1. Although the report from the Municipal Government
Board has yet to be handed over to Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister
Ray Danyluk and taken to cabinet, no major issues are known that would
prevent the approval. The total annexation of about 7,500 acres includes
Heritage Ranch, Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Riverview Park
residences on the west side of the city, 3,257 acres of mostly
agricultural land on the north side and 3,960 acres of mostly
agricultural land on the east side.
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