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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
December 2009 Part 2
Dec. 31, 2009
New Innisfail Library
to be Built in Natural Setting
Construction is expected to start soon on a new $9 million library
building on the west side of Innisfail that will blend into the natural
setting of the site nestled within existing trees. The 19,375 sq. ft.
community gathering space will include a seniors multi-purpose centre,
living room and cafe. The building will feature a living wall, green
roof, lots of natural light and connections with the existing trail
system. The actual building will cost $6 million to construct with
design costs, site preparation and finishing touches making up the
remainder of the project cost. Funding has come from all three levels of
government and the project is expected to be completed by March 2011.
Dec. 28, 2009
Stettler and County Agree on
Annexation
After two years of negotiation and sometimes confrontation, the Town of
Stettler and Stettler County have agreed to the town's annexation of six
quarter sections of land for future residential, commercial and
industrial development on the south and west of Stettler's current
boundaries. A decision on approving the agreement from the provincial
Municipal Government Board is expected in the spring.
Dec. 23, 2009
County to Purchase Historic Mintlaw Trestle for $1
Red
Deer County council has unanimously agreed to purchase the former
Alberta Central Railway Mintlaw steel trestle southwest of Red Deer from
Canadian Pacific Railway for $1 in exchange for a tax receipt for $8.8
million, determined to be the current value of the structure. The bridge
across the Red Deer River has been identified as a heritage site and an
important landmark in the county. It was built in 1911-1912, leased to
Canadian Pacific in 1913, acquired by CPR in 1957 with the last train
crossing it in 1981. At 2,112 ft., it is the second longest CPR steel
trestle bridge in the province. In the future, the County will determine
if the bridge is suitable for recreation use as a pedestrian bridge.
County Transit Service Exceeds Expectations
Red
Deer County is expressing its satisfaction with the new transit service
in Gasoline Alley and Springbrook south of Red Deer. The regular transit
bus has about 150 customers per day Monday through Friday and about 50
daily customers on the weekend. The county purchased the bus and
constructed 22 bus stop pads for the service that began at the end of
August. Red Deer Transit operates the service and integrates it with the
city system. The county has budgeted $600,000 per year to cover the cost
of operations but the better-than-expected ridership may reduce the
annual cost.
Regional Airport Qualifies for More Improvements
With a week to go, the scheduled passenger count at the Red Deer
Regional Airport has exceeded 1,000 for the year, making the facility
eligible for the federal Airports Capital Assistance Program in 2010.
The airport and Swanberg Air partnered to offer a seat sale earlier in
the month to assure that the required number of scheduled passengers
would be met to qualify for the funding. The airport authority is
seeking about $4 million for asphalt overlay on runways, taxiways and
the main apron as well as a further $1.5 million for improvements to
lighting and expansion of the maintenance shop.
Red Deer County Passes 'Good News' Budget
Red Deer County council passed the 2010 budget today being referred to
as a 'good news' budget as there is likely to be no increase in property
taxes. However, the tax bill will depend on the assessed value of
properties relative to the average and what the province decides on the
school requisition.
Dec. 22, 2009
Local Author Offers Ways to Make a
Difference
In her new book 'How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist', published in
November, Red Deer author Nicole Bouchard Boles offers many ways people
can contribute to their community, a cause and to the world no matter
what their income or how much free time they have. The book has been
featured in 'Newsweek', Martha Stewart Living Radio, the 'Ladies Home
Journal' and other publications. A resident of the city for 20 years,
Nicole is a graduate of the Red Deer College Business Administration
program and is now focused on raising her three children with her
husband.
Dec. 19, 2009
City Strategic Plan to Focus on
Environment
As part of the city of Red Deer's strategic plan for 2009-2011 adopted
earlier this year, more emphasis will be placed on increasing community
participation in environmental stewardship. An action plan will be
developed to determine priorities over the next few years and encourage
creative ideas for greater sustainability and environment.
Several City
Initiatives to Move Forward in 2010
In spite of budget restraints due to the current economic slowdown, the
City of Red Deer is moving forward on several initiatives during the
next year. The Greater Downtown Action Plan, adopted last spring, will
proceed with more detailed planning for large-scale downtown
development. Improved cycling and pedestrian access around Taylor Drive
will be explored. The 3-storey downtown parkade and transit terminal
will be completed, as will the new RCMP station. The joint city-county
River Valley and Tributaries Park Concept Plan will be completed with
emphasis on expanding Waskasoo Park.
Festival of Trees Raises $600,000 for
Hospital
This year's Festival of Trees, held at Westerner Park from Nov. 24 to
29, raised about $600,000 for equipment for the new Colorectal Screening
Clinic at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. Although about $135,000
less than last year, a house was not auctioned this year as part of the
festival. About 22,000 people attended the event this year, about 2,000
less than last year. The annual festival was first held in 1994 when it
raised over $28,000 for the hospital laboratory.
Wildlife Centre Seeks Corporate Partner
The Medicine River Wildlife Centre is seeking a corporate partner who
will commit to a multi-year project to redevelop and upgrade the Spruce
View area facility. Future goals include greater sustainability through
a new endowment fund and a greater involvement in the tourism industry.
Dec. 18, 2009
Major City Arterial Road Improvements Set
The City of Red Deer is upgrading three intersections along 32 Street, a
major east-west arterial road, in 2010 at an estimated cost of $8.55
million. Dedicated right turn lanes are to be constructed westbound at
Spruce Drive and eastbound at Springfield Drive. At the intersection
with 40 Avenue, another major arterial road, right turn lanes will be
constructed in all directions and a dual left turn will be constructed
northbound on 40 Avenue.
Dec. 17, 2009
Regional Vacancy
Rates Up, Rents Down
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., in its fall rental market survey,
indicates that in Red Deer, as well as the rest of Alberta, the
apartment vacancy rate is up from a year ago and rents are down. The
average vacancy rate in October for all types of apartments in the city
was 9.2% compared to 4.4% in October 2008. The average rent fell from
$818 per month a year ago to $793 per month this year. The largest
vacancy rates were for three and two-bedroom suites. In Lacombe, the
overall average vacancy rate in October was 9.3% compared to 3% for the
same month in 2008 and average rents declined to $697 from $705. In
Sylvan Lake, the overall average vacancy rate was 7.1% compared to 2.8%
a year ago but the average rent increased to $766 from $685.
Dec. 16, 2009
City Olympic Torch Relay Plans Move
Forward
The Olympic torch will reach Red Deer on Day 78 of the relay, Friday,
January 15, 2010, at which time fifteen torchbearers will each carry the
torch for 300 metres. A free celebration will be held at Westerner Park
from 5 to 9 pm and will include various activities and performers
including Alberta country singer Corb Lund.
Parkland Mall Plans for Sears Space
Development
A strategic plan for major redevelopment of the former Sears Canada
space in Parkland Mall in north Red Deer is currently underway. The
store vacated the mall in August 2008 and since then, Urban Planet and
Labels clothing stores have each leased 44,000 sq. ft. on a short-term
basis that expires in April 2010. The mall tentatively plans to demolish
the original store and redevelop the space with new construction.
City Council Approves Affordable
Housing
Projects
Red Deer city council has approved the allocation of $3.5 million of
provincial and federal funding for four affordable housing projects. The
projects include a 10-unit transitional housing complex for abused women
and their children, a renovation of a five-bedroom home for families
fleeing violence, and an affordable housing strategy for aboriginal and
non-aboriginal families and individuals. The largest amount of $1.8
million will go towards the renovation of 26 bachelor units on the
second floor at The River Valley, formerly the Rancher's Valley Inn in
the downtown. This is in addition to $4.5 million previously approved in
2007 for 45 units as part of the expansion project currently underway.
Portion of Sylvan Lake
Shoreline Loses
Park Status
A short stretch of shoreline in the town of Sylvan Lake between Chateau
Suites hotel and Wild Rapids Waterslide has been removed from provincial
park status. This means that the 150 metre strip could someday be
developed providing that all other municipal, provincial and federal
permissions are received.
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