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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
1
Dec. 15, 2009
City and Area Home Sales
Rebounding
The Central Alberta Realtors Association reports that home sales are up
over last year with 258 Multiple Listing Service deals being completed
in November compared to 190 for the same month last year. Residential
sales in Red Deer accounted for 114 compared with 85 last November. In
the surrounding area, 144 homes sold compared to 105 a year earlier. The
average selling price in the city for November was $292,000, similar to
the average of $293,000 in 2008. Outside the city, the average price was
$223,000 compared to $254,700 a year earlier. Local inventory of
residential properties has declined to 8.1 months to sell all homes on
the market at current sales rates compared to 17 months a year ago.
Seniors Affordable Apartment Approved
The Piper Creek Lodge Foundation has received approval from the Red Deer
municipal planning commission for an affordable 3-storey, 39-unit
apartment building for seniors near Piper Creek Lodge on a treed 1.07
acre parcel. If a provincial grant is approved, the foundation will be
able to rent the units at about 10% below current market rates. The
building could be filled with a current waiting list. It is hoped that
construction can start by summer. The foundation is also wanting to
replace the Piper Creek Lodge with a larger facility.
Dec. 14, 2009
Gull Lake Development Plan to be Updated
Lacombe County, Ponoka County and the Summer Villages of Gull Lake and
Parkland Beach are considering an update of the development plan around
Gull Lake. The existing plan was last updated in 2000 before a demand in
resort-style developments emerged. The municipalities hope to have a
management plan completed in 8 to 10 months.
Dec. 12, 2009
Blackfalds 2010 Budget Approved
Blackfalds town council has passed a $9.7 million operating budget and
half million dollar capital budget that will result in an average 1%
increase in property taxes. However, several major capital projects are
being carried over from 2009 including the $7.8 million new RCMP
building and protective services site, the $3.6 million new fire hall,
$5 million in road and trail improvements and $5.4 million sewage
treatment upgrades.
Dec. 10, 2009
Westerner Park
Gets Bigger and Greener
Westerner Park has signed a 50-year lease with the City of Red Deer that
will increase its size from 115 acres to 320 acres. It includes the old
landfill that can be used as either green space or parking in years to
come and the city's new off-leash dog park. In 2009, the Westerner
hosted 1,500 events with about 1.5 million visitors from all over
Western Canada and the northern United States. The venue plans to plant
more trees around the parking lot in 2010 in addition to the 225 trees
and 1,200 shrubs planted in 2009. Also in 2010, trees and benches will
be added near the pond by the northwest gate as well as a covered
walkway along the outside of the Enmax Centriuim. The long-term
strategic plan includes new transit stops, an expansion to the Centrium,
more exhibition and meeting space and improved connections to Piper
Creek walking trails.
Dec. 9, 2009
Housing Starts Continue to Improve
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reports that the number of
construction starts on single-detached homes is closing in on 2008
numbers. Work started on 31 single homes in November compared to 27 for
the same month last year. Year to date, 311 homes have started compared
to 325 in November 2008, representing the second lowest drop in Alberta
at 11%. Multi-family starts are down 21%.
Airport Looks to 2010 Major Improvements
The Red Deer Regional Airport Authority will be applying to the federal
Airports Capital Assistance Program in 2010 for about $4 million to put
an asphalt overlay on runways, taxiways and the main ramp. The airport
is also seeking about $1.5 million in additional improvements. To assure
that the minimum 1,000 scheduled passengers for the year are met, the
airport and Swanberg Air have embarked on a seat sale for the new
southeastern route during December. In its report to Red Deer County
council the authority indicated that additional passenger routes are
under discussion.
Equine Centre at Olds College Completed
The new $9 million Canadian Equine Centre for Innovation is the latest
addition in an $87 million expansion program at Olds College to be
completed. The new facilities include a riding arena, barn, maternity
stalls and reproduction lab and will allow the college to double the
number of students in the Equine Sciences program over the next few
years. The Community Learning Campus complex has opened some facilities
with the new high school nearing completion.
City Scores High on Performance Index
Among the 88 Canadian cities on the annual Local Government Performance
Index, Red Deer scored very high on capital expenditure per capita, 51%
above the regional average which is in itself higher than the Canadian
average. The city also scored high in reporting and disclosure of
financial statements.
Dec. 8, 2009
Horse Track Grandstand Construction
Resumes
The grandstand at Alberta Downs horse racing track west of Lacombe has
resumed construction now that Lacombe County has signed a development
agreement with the facility. When fully complete, the structure will
hold 1,500 people and is expected to be done in May in time for the
first races. Limited racing activity started last year.
Dec. 7, 2009
Canyon Ski Hill Off to Great Season Start
The recent heavy snowfall has been good for the first week of the 42nd
season for Canyon Ski Hill east of Red Deer. Improvements this year
include new rails for snowboarders and expanded snow-making system with
40% more capacity. The facility has more than 160 metres of verticals,
13 runs and 5 lifts. Meanwhile negotiations continue with the City of
Red Deer and Red Deer County for the purchase of the ski area.
Dec. 5, 2009
Funding Secured for Olds College
Wetlands
Project
Olds College has received $2.6 million from the federal government to
complete the funding required to build its $4.7 million Botanic Gardens
and Treatment Wetlands. The project includes a 6-acre wetlands that will
treat storm and grey water while providing an outdoor laboratory for
wetland research. Site preparation is expected to begin in a few weeks.
Dec. 4, 2009
Organic Waste Facility Proposed for
Lacombe
Lacombe has been chosen as the site for a commercial-scale biorefining
demonstration facility for the safe disposal of organic waste, including
livestock carcasses. Biosphere Technologies, a company that has
developed a system for breaking down organic material that kills
micro-organisms like viruses and bacteria, hopes to develop ways of
converting organic waste into commercial products and energy. Currently,
most organic waste is either composted or land-filled. The $35 million
project will take about two years to become reality.
Dec. 2, 2009
Residential Building Leads November City
Permits
Residential construction permits in Red Deer were valued at $14.7
million in November, well ahead of last year's $6 million. The largest
permit was valued at $8.5 million for the first phase of Medican
Development's 248-unit Sierras Michener Hill condominiums. Other
categories of construction permits were down from November 2008. Total
permits for the month stood at $15.5 million, down from $19.9 million
for the same month last year. Total permits for the year to date stand
at $134.1 million of which $78.2 million has been for residential
construction.
Lonkar Purchased by Schlumberger
The Red Deer-based Lonkar group of companies has been purchased by
Schlumberger Ltd., a giant in the oilfield industry. Lonkar employs
about 300 people and has about 75 active wireline trucks in Western
Canada. Other than the integration of services, the company, founded in
1985, doesn't expect any significant changes in operation.
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