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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
September 2009 Part
1
Sept. 15, 2009
International Award for
Downtown Plan
The International Downtown Association, at its 55th annual conference in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, presented an award of distinction for the Red Deer
Greater Downtown Action Plan, adopted earlier this year. The plan
outlines a 25-year vision for connecting the downtown with the Red Deer
River in the area of the former civic yards called Riverlands. City
council approved 10 key steps toward fulfilling the vision on April 1
and initial projects will be discussed in the 2010 and 2011 budgets.
Skyway Building Plan Reduced to 4 Storeys
The Red Deer municipal planning commission has approved a revised site
plan for the proposed Skyway Professional Centre at the former site of
Central Alberta Florists north of the hospital. Originally, an eight
storey building was approved but the new plan is for a four storey
building with footings and foundation designed to accommodate the
addition of four storeys in the future. The building footprint,
landscaping and parking remains unchanged from the original proposal.
However, the square footage of the building will be reduced from 122,000
to 61,000. The project will still be used for administrative and medical
offices with retail on the ground floor. Construction could begin in
three months.
Sept. 11, 2009
City Housing Starts Triple From Last Year
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reports that work on 43
single-detached and 20 multi-family homes got underway in Red Deer in
August compared to 21 single-detached and 0 multi-family starts for the
same month in 2008. That represents a 200% increase, the highest of any
major Alberta city. Fewer listings on the resale market and a decline in
the inventory of unsold homes are considered factors. To date this year,
there have been 266 housing starts in the city, 190 single-detached and
76 multi-family units, compared to 226 single-detached and 166
multi-family for the first eight months of 2008.
Sept. 10, 2009
CAEP Studies Regional
Transportation Strategy
The Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP) representing 41 member
municipalities and 13 associate member organizations is working toward a
regional transportation strategy that will include a long-term vision
for a co-ordinated transportation system to meet the needs of Central
Alberta. Among the areas it will investigate are pedestrian and bike
trails, carpooling and new transit technologies. CAEP has indicated that
regional connections are critical to bridge disconnects between where
people live and where they work and play but recognizes that the complex
challenges of such a strategy will have profound impacts on the
infrastructure, economy and vibrancy of municipalities and on local
residents. The partnership has set aside $75,000 for the study and is
seeking a matching amount through the Alberta Municipal Affairs Regional
Partnership Initiative.
Nordegg History Society Has Big Plans
The Nordegg Historical Society is hoping to get a $150,000 federal grant
in order to fulfill plans for a $500,000 restoration project at the
historic Brazeau Colleries mine site. The society already has
commitments of $75,000 from the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation
and $75,000 from Clearwater County and the society itself. The highest
priority of several is restoration of a 1911 log house, the oldest
building in Nordegg. The Brazeau Colleries mine site includes about 40
structures within a 75-acre site. It was designated a provincial
historic site in 1993 and a National Historic Site in 2002. The
operation had produced nearly 10 million tonnes of coal between 1914 and
1955, most of which was used to fuel steam engines of the Canadian
Northern (later Canadian National) Railway. The site's coal preparation
plant is considered the most complete example of pre-1955 technology in
Alberta and southeastern British Columbia. Museum tours this year drew
about 2,000 visitors with more than 10,000 visiting the free museum and
gift shop.
City to Review East Town Square Concept
Design guidelines will be reviewed for the Timberlands Town Centre and
Main Street/Town Square land use districts within the East Hill Major
Area Structure Plan after Red Deer city council decided to withdraw
consideration of a proposed bylaw amendment. Both the city and Melcor
Developments are preparing plans to incorporate a concept of high
density housing, a variety of shops and businesses and
pedestrian-friendly streets in the Timberlands area around the
intersection of 67 Street and 30 Avenue on the east side of the city.
Council wants a plan to hide parking and make the 'town centre' walkable.
Red Deer College Enrolment Up 10%
Red Deer College reports an increase of 700 students this year
representing a 10% increase from the 7,100 last year. The most popular
courses are adult upgrading and open studies both designed to prepare
students for better opportunities. While trade applications have
levelled off, most other programs have more students, some dramatically.
All existing classrooms are being used and most are full during the day.
RDRED Seeks More Foreign Investment
Red Deer Regional Economic Development (RDRED), a partnership involving
the City of Red Deer, Red Deer County, Red Deer Chamber of Commerce and
Red Deer College, is intensifying its efforts to attract foreign
investment, particularly in the fields of transportation logistics,
energy and agri-food processing. The federal Rural Diversification
Initiative has agreed to fund $180,000 of the $300,000 project to help
fulfill that objective by creating and pursuing 50 to 100 qualified
leads.
New City Chamber President Addresses
Members
Incoming Red Deer Chamber of Commerce president Dom Mancuso, in his
address to the membership, indicated that it could be a tough winter for
business but the effects of the economic recovery should be felt in the
spring.
Sept. 9, 2009
Modules to be Built at 3 City Schools
The Red Deer municipal planning commission has approved temporary
modular additions to 3 public schools close to recent growth areas on
the east side of the city. Two new modular classrooms are proposed for
Mountview and Mattie McCullough elementary schools and one new modular
classroom for G.W. Smith elementary school. The Red Deer Public School
District's ability to expand and build new schools is dependent on
provincial government funding. Southbrook, Inglewood, Aspen Heights and
Vanier Woods subdivisions have all been developed without any new
schools being built. Some existing schools have been forced to use
libraries, art rooms and computer labs as classrooms as a result of the
critical space crunch. The district's first priority is to build a new
school in the Aspen Ridge area.
City's First Strata Space Subdivision
Approved
The Red Deer municipal planning commission has approved the city's first
'strata space' subdivision for a 210-suite supportive living complex and
restaurant called 'the Gardens at Hwys 2 & 11' in northwest Red Deer.
The type of subdivision allows ownership of residential and commercial
components of the building to be separate. The commercial elements
include a Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, a hair salon and administrative
facilities located on various floors of the 4-storey building. The
restaurant will serve both residents and the general public.
Cemetery Tours Mark History of Region
The Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery's 90-minute Cemetery Walking Tour on
Michener Hill provides insight into the region's history. Although the
museum provides a booklet for self-guided tours, live tours are
periodically given by historian Michael Dawe and museum programs co-ordinator
Rod Trentham. Eras of Canadian life, such as the 1918 Spanish flu
epidemic and both world wars are highlighted, including five military
fields of honour, one of which is a British Commonwealth Air Training
Plan plot where several trainees killed at RAF Penhold are buried. The
city's first cemetery was at the Taylor Drive and 43 Street
intersection. The Michener Hill location, where 6,000 people are buried,
was donated by J.J. Gaetz in 1893.
Sept. 8, 2009
Blackfalds
Population Up 16% in 2 Years
According to a municipal census done on May 1 in Blackfalds there are
now 5,610 residents in the town, up from 4,873 in 2007, a 16% increase.
Since 2001, when the population was 3,144, the number of residents has
grown 78%. The census also determined that the number of dwellings has
increased 12% to 2,380 from 2,124 in 2007, indicating more people per
dwelling. So far this year, 100 new single-family home building permits
have been issued. The town has been preparing for the population to pass
5,000 when the municipality takes on more responsibility for policing. A
new RCMP detachment is expected to be constructed by 2011 housing 5 to 8
town officers, 15 rural officers, 6 highway officers and 3 support
staff.
City Public School Enrolment Passes
10,000
The Red Deer Public School District reports that 10,004 students were in
class on the first day of school this September, the largest enrolment
in the district's history. The number is up 34 students from last year
in spite of a weaker economy. Meanwhile, the Red Deer Catholic Regional
School Division reports there were 6,462 students on the first day of
school, up over 2% from the 6,318 students last year.
Cottage Development in Nordegg Proceeding
The process of rezoning 97 acres of land in Nordegg for a new 69-lot
subdivision aimed at seasonal cottage dwellers is proceeding as part of
a multi-year systematic residential development in the hamlet. Since
1997, about 170 residential and cottage lots have been developed, all of
which were purchased very soon after they became available. Once
approved by Clearwater County, expected in October, the plan is that
20-25 lots will be available next summer. The Nordegg Development Plan
passed in 2000 allows development in the picturesque hamlet while
ensuring that the area does not get over-built.
Sept. 5, 2009
Rocky Mountain House to Get New Seniors
Lodge
The Rocky Senior Housing Council has decided to build a new modern lodge
with room for 88 seniors rather than proceed with the original plan to
increase the size of the existing 50-year-old Westview Lodge to add 35
spaces when it was determined that the cost of both options were
similar. In addition, a new building would be more efficient and meet
all current building codes. The province has already approved funding
for half the project with a $5.6 million grant. Clearwater County is
contributing nearly $5 million with the Town of Rocky Mountain House and
Village of Caroline covering the rest. Construction has begun and about
half the rooms will be ready by the end of 2010 with the remainder
finished in 2011.
Sept. 4, 2009
CMHC Optimistic About
Regional Real Estate
In its housing market outlook released yesterday, Canada Mortgage and
Housing Corp. (CMHC) projects that 3,700 Central Alberta homes will be
sold through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in 2009. It is estimated
that the number will increase 5% to 3,900 in 2010. An earlier forecast
in May estimated a lower number of sales. CMHC also anticipates higher
average prices than forescast earlier with the average sale in 2009 at
$269,000 and in 2010 at $277,000.
African Centre to Help Immigrants to
Region
The Central Alberta African Centre has opened an office in downtown Red
Deer to help immigrants settle in their new cultural environment, to
educate newcomers about work and housing issues and promote
multiculturalism. The group has evolved from the Central Alberta African
Choir established several years ago. They also partner with other
organizations in the region that help immigrants and receive some of
their funding from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit.
Sept. 3, 2009
Community Group Pleased with
Riverside
Plan
The Riverside Meadows Community Association has been working with Red
Deer city planners for more than a year to come up with a new area
redevelopment plan and is pleased with the results. The 15-year plan
aims to integrate various residential and commercial uses that are
compatible with the neighbourhood. The area on the north side of river
once had a large industrial component but is being transformed into a
destination area with more trendy commercial and residential
development. Other parts of the neighbourhood have become known for
low-cost housing but the zoning plan will balance the higher density
areas with more single family homes and duplexes. The plan will go to
city council in October.
Sylvan Lake Plans For Park at
Construction Site
The town of Sylvan Lake is attempting to turn an unsightly former
construction project at a prominent intersection into a temporary small
park. After six years of no activity on a project that only got as far
as a 59-stall underground parkade, the town has ordered the owners of
the site to dig out the parkade, fill in the hole and grass the site
over. Until that is done, the owners have been ordered to replace the
existing sagging fence with a better one. The owners are fighting the
order. An historic hotel was torn down at the corner in 2002 followed by
construction of the parkade for a 7-storey hotel with convention and
commercial space but activity came to a standstill in 2003. A revised
plan for a 9-storey building with 94 condominium suites and ground floor
commercial space was approved in 2005 but construction never got
underway.
Downtown Cafe Owner Becoming a
Latin Pop
Star
Singer-songwriter Chura Montgomery, a native of Colombia and resident in
Canada since 1980, is becoming well-known in her native country as well
as other parts of Latin America and the southern U.S. for her music. A
music video is also being produced. She is also owner of La Tienda
Latina, a cafe and Latin specialty food store in downtown Red Deer next
to the new 12-storey Executive Place.
Sept. 2, 2009
City Building Permits Up $10 Million Over
Last Year
The City of Red Deer reports that its building permits for the month of
August were $10 million higher than the same month in 2008 coming in at
$25.6 million compared to $15.8 million last year. The largest permit
was for $12.5 million for the three-level parkade above the city's
downtown transit terminal. Another contributor to the total was $3.7
million for a new ATB Financial branch in the north part of the city.
Residential permits for the month were valued at $6.8 million, up
slightly from the $6.7 million for August last year. Year to date,
permits have been issued for $94.2 million compared to $185.9 million
for the same period in 2008. Residential permits so far this year stands
at $47.8 million compared with $76.1 million.
Ellis Bird Farm Reports Banner Year
The three-month season for the Ellis Bird Farm east of Lacombe and
Blackfalds has ended with 10,265 visitors this year compared to 7,300 in
2008. Visitors can wander the trails and gardens as well as see the
world's largest outdoor collection of bluebird nestboxes at no charge.
Many visitors also enjoy the home-made lunches and pastries in the
teahouse. The farm's success is partly due to $120,000 annual operating
grant from MEGlobal, which runs a petrochemical facility nearby. This
year the farm was also approved for a matching grant of $78,000 through
the provincial Community Facility Enhancement program for new kitchen
facilities at the teahouse and improvements to the septic and water well
systems.
Visitors at Tourism Red Deer Up Over Last
Year
Tourism Red Deer reports that over 46,000 visitors stopped by the
information centre so far this year, an increase of almost 3,000 over
the same period last year. The economic slowdown has likely encouraged
Albertans to have their vacations closer to home this year. Historically
80% of visitors are from Canada with 80% of those from Alberta. About
11% of visitors are usually from the U.S. Origin of visitors this year
won't be tallied until year end.
Sept. 1, 2009
Animal Expert Praises Discovery
Wildlife
Park
World-renowned animal expert Jack Hanna praised Discovery Wildlife Park
in Innisfail for having some of the happiest animals he has seen. After
stumbling upon the attraction during his visit to Alberta last month, he
intends to feature the zoo in an upcoming episode of his TV series 'Into
the Wild'. The zoo's mandate is to take in animals that would otherwise
be euthanized and use them to educate the public about wildlife. Unlike
some other zoos, the facility keeps their animals' minds and bodies
active and treat the animals with kindness, resulting in the animals not
being bored or overweight. The film crew videotaped several of the
park's animals including bears, jaguars, porcupines and a baby beaver.
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