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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
November 2009 Part 2
Nov. 30, 2009
Festival of Trees
Fundraiser Continues to Grow
Although the final numbers for attendance and funds collected are not
yet available, the annual Red Deer Festival of Trees at Westerner Park
has had another very successful year in spite of the slower economy. The
number of volunteers for the event increased significantly this year
from 1,800 last year to well over 2,200. The number of decorated trees
put up for auction was also significantly higher this year with about 70
compared to 40 last year. The week long event was kicked off with the
Santa Claus parade downtown and the lighting of the tallest Christmas
tree. Since its inception in 1993, the festival has raised more than
$5.7 million for special projects at the Red Deer Regional Hospital
Centre.
Nov. 28, 2009
Lacombe High School
Modernization Complete
After three years of construction and renovation, Ecole Secondaire
Lacombe Composite High School is now modernized with major upgrades,
rearranging of current space and the addition of a new gymnasium. As the
school was originally built in 1967, much of the building was stripped
down to the frame to put in new air and heating systems. The $20 million
modernization included a reconfiguration of space that allowed for the
creation of three new classrooms that will make room for 100 more
students. The school currently has around 800 students in Grades 10 to
12.
Nov. 27, 2009
RV Resort Plan
Endorsed by Lacombe County
Lacombe County council has endorsed a concept plan and given final
reading to rezone 148 acres of agricultural land to resort use for a
site close to Sunbreaker Cove on the east shore of Sylvan Lake. The
proposed 500-lot Skyy Country Golf and RV Resort will be built in four
phases that will include a recreational area with tennis courts, a small
water park and a 9-hole, par 3 golf course. Construction could begin
next year with the first lots ready in 2011.
Nov. 26, 2009
Former Sylvan Lake Resident
Lindhout Freed
Former Sylvan Lake resident and freelance journalist 28-year-old Amanda
Lindhout was released yesterday after being held captive by Somalian
kidnappers for 15 months during which time she was beaten and tortured
in an attempt to extort millions of dollars. She was kept in a room by
herself with no light, no windows and nothing to write on or with during
most of that time as well as little food. Lindhout and Australian
photographer Nigel Brennan were kidnapped on August 23, 2008 on their
way to an interview with uprooted Somalis.
Plasco Plant Delayed
Waiting for Green Funding
The 200-tonne-a-day Plasco regional gasification plant proposed for Red
Deer County east of Penhold has been delayed while the company waits for
a decision concerning their $23 million application to the federal Green
Infrastructure Fund. The company hopes to get started early in 2010 on
the waste-to-energy plant to be administered by the 9-member Central
Waste Management Commission. The new technology Canadian company has
demonstration plants operating in Ottawa and Barcelona, Spain.
Sod Turned for New Vision Seniors Condo
Complex
Medican Developments celebrated its sod-turning recently for the
248-unit, 4-storey condominium complex at Michener Hill Village in east
Red Deer. It will be linked to the adjacent Extendicare Canada's
continuing care facility that is currently nearing completion.
Restricted to occupants aged 40 or older, the $50 million Medican condo
complex will contain suites ranging from 775 to 1,800 sq. ft. The first
phase, expected to be completed in a year, will include a fitness
centre, billiards room, library, hot tub and sauna.
Nov. 25, 2009
Clive to be Terminal of Carbon Dioxide
Pipeline
The Alberta government has announced that it will provide $495 million
for development of a 240-km pipeline system to carry carbon dioxide from
industrial emitters near Edmonton to mature oilfields in east-central
Alberta. The federal government will contribute another $63.3 million.
Work on the Alberta Carbon Trunk Line is expected to begin in 2011 and
be operational in 2012. The system includes receipt facilities near
Clive east of Lacombe where CO2 will be distributed to conventional oil
and gas fields in the area to enhance recovery of oil in established
mature fields.
Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary
Getting Improvements
A new viewing deck that will be combined with the bird blind and stair
replacement is being built over the winter at the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary
in Red Deer. The existing structure is 25 years old and has been damaged
by frost and rot. In addition, the Allen Bungalow, built in 1912, will
be converted into a handicapped-accessible venue.
Ducks Unlimited to Focus on
Pine Lake
Considered one of the best waterfowl areas and highest density of
wetlands in Alberta, Pine Lake is one of the primary focus areas for
Ducks Unlimited Canada. The knob and kettle geography around Pine Lake
is prime territory for ducks and other waterfowl. The organization has
run conservation programs in the province since 1938 and wants to get
more landowners into the program.
More Stores for
Sylvan Lake Development
Canadian Tire, Marks Work Wearhouse and Dollarama are expected to be
joining soon the existing Wal-Mart Supercentre at the SmartCentres
commercial area in southeast Sylvan Lake. Several other commercial
buildings are also being planned for the site.
Nov. 24, 2009
City Council Passes Lean Capital
Budget
Red Deer city council passed a $106.9 million capital budget yesterday,
significantly lower than last year's $473 million. The largest project
budgeted for is $54.6 million toward the new north highway connector for
utility servicing and right of ways, reduced from $133 million
previously approved last year. Almost $8 million is set aside for
additional and replacement vehicles. Another project approved was $1
million toward a new curling rink in the northeast part of the city. A
total of 66 projects are being deferred over the next 10 years. Council
decided to include $200,000 toward the city's first 50-metre swimming
pool, a project that had earlier been deferred to after 2020. The pool
is being considered as part of a master plan for Rotary Recreation Park.
Another addition to the budget is $150,000 toward de-icing upgrades for
the Red Deer Regional Airport. The operational budget will be discussed
in January.
Nov. 21, 2009
Hobbema Mural
Project Celebrates Proud Culture
In an effort to beautify the community of Samson Cree Nation at Hobbema,
about 15 artists and paint crew members have created cultural murals on
28 homes and 2 public buildings with the blessing of the band council.
The project has rekindled community spirit and celebrates a proud
culture. In addition, it has discouraged graffiti, especially on the
structures that have received the colourful murals, each of which tells
a different cultural story. During the winter, the artists are moving
indoors and in the spring, additional homes are expected to be
completed. Neighbouring Montana Band and other bands in Central Alberta
are interested in creating similar projects.
Regional Sewer Line
Delayed Due to Funding Cuts
The much-needed $107 million regional sewer line between Olds and Red
Deer will likely not be completed for two years as the provincial
government has indicated to the South Red Deer Regional Wastewater
Commission that funding for the project will be delayed due to budget
restraints. The commission is looking at ways for portions of the
project to continue with the funding that is available. Both Olds and
Innisfail need the project to be completed soon as their sewage
treatment plants have already exceeded their life span. Work is already
underway to install 25 km of pipeline between Innisfail and Penhold.
Regional Partnership Recognizes
Economic Activity
The Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP), a regional economic
development alliance with 42 municipal members and 14 associate members,
handed out its Achievement Awards recently. The Town of Rocky Mountain
House, Red Deer County, Red Deer Regional Economic Development (RDRED)
and a 6-municipality group consisting of Mountain View County, the towns
of Olds, Carstairs, Didsbury and Sundre and the village of Cremona, all
received awards.
Nov. 20, 2009
Several City Major Projects to be
Deferred
Red Deer municipal officials have
announced that several major projects scheduled over the next ten years
will need to be deferred due to slower economic growth and reduced
revenue. Among the projects that will likely be pushed beyond 2019 are a
concert hall and performing arts centre, and a 50-metre competitive
swimming pool. In addition, the first phase of the civic centre
expansion on the soon-to-be-vacated RCMP site will be delayed to around
2015 and a new arena at the G.H. Dawe Centre will be postponed until
around 2017. For 2010, the city has budgeted $55 million for servicing
and acquiring right-of-way for the north highway connector, a new
roadway that will link the junction of Highway 11A and 2A (Gaetz Avenue)
with 30 Avenue and include a new river crossing. Another high priority
is expansion of the city's water and wastewater treatment plants to meet
regional needs.
Ponoka County Assists With
Rimbey Pool Funding
Ponoka County has decided to provide $500,000 toward a $2.25 million
project to rebuilt the outdoor swimming pool in Rimbey. The town is
applying for additional funding from Recreation Infrastructure Canada
under the federal Economic Action Plan. The original pool was built in
the late 1960s.
Nov. 19, 2009
Sustainable Downtown
Ideas Explored
The downtown Red Deer SAFE (sustainable, active, friendly and
economically viable) task force held a town hall meeting recently asking
people from various interest groups for ideas on how to build a more
vibrant and comfortable downtown. A key element expressed by one
consultant was attracting a larger and more diverse residential
population to the area. Plans for future development immediately west of
the downtown are expected to have a large residential component. Many of
those present agreed that having a variety of activities after normal
business hours would make the downtown friendlier and comfortable.
Nov. 18, 2009
Ponoka Area Cow Fetches
$1.2 Million
Eastside Lewisdale Gold Missy, a 3-year-old cow from Morsan Farms near
Ponoka, sold for $1.2 million at an auction at the Royal Agricultural
Winter Fair in Toronto. The buyer is a 3-way partnership between
investors from Denmark, the U.S. and Canada but will remain at the
Ponoka farm. The cow had previously won several North American awards.
Nov. 17, 2009
Rail Crossing at
Blackfalds Gets Funding
A federal program to enhance safety at railway crossings under the
Economic Action Plan is providing almost a quarter of a million dollars
to improve a railway crossing in Blackfalds that includes installing
arms and constant warning time controls. It is one of 35 high-priority
rail grade crossings across Canada to be improved. There are a total of
55,000 public, private and pedestrian crossings in the country.
Sale and Partner Win Battle of
Blades
World champion figure skater and former Red Deer resident, Jamie Sale,
along with partner Craig Simpson, former Edmonton Oiler hockey player,
have won the CBC reality competition 'Battle of the Blades'. The
$100,000 prize will be donated to the Northern Alberta Spinal Cord
Injury Treatment Centre for research at the University of Alberta. The
competition paired retired hockey players with figure skating stars in
weekly ice dance competitions.
Nov. 16, 2009
Agri-Trade Draw
of 70,000 Suggests Optimism
With this year's Agri-Trade at Westerner Park drawing about 70,000
people from all over Western Canada, organizers are suggesting that the
good attendance signals considerable optimism for 2010. The 4-day event,
in its 26th year, also drew 430 exhibitors that featured something for
everyone ranging from tractors and combines to toys, cooking supplies
and gadgets. A project of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce and the
Westerner Exhibition Association, Agri-Trade uses every available
building at Westerner Park along with having a parking lot full of
exhibitors.
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