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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
March 2010 Part 2
Mar. 31, 2010
New Manager Chosen for Heritage Ranch
The city of Red Deer has chosen Joel Martens as manager of the 215-acre
Heritage Ranch, a city recreational and equestrian area of Waskasoo Park
east of Highway QE2 near Red Deer Tourism and the Alberta Sports Hall of
Fame, for a five year term. Martens has run a boarding and training
stable near Lacombe for 10 years, has written for horse industry
magazines and produced videos for horse lovers. He will play a key role
in the city's $4.4 million capital improvement project that includes
adding camping and upgrading the ranch's visitor centre.
Study Shows Red Deer's Competitive
Edge
KPMG's 2010 Competitive Alternatives study shows that Red Deer compares
favourably to cities in the United States as well as countries in Europe
and Asia Pacific when it comes to business costs. In addition, it showed
a relative increase from the year before particularly in the research
and development category. The study also showed that Canada as a whole
has increased its competitive edge.
Mar. 30, 2010
Earth Hour Drops City Power Use by 4.6%
Electricity consumption in Red Deer this year between 8:30 and 9:30 pm
on Saturday was down 4.6% compared to 2.5% in 2009. The amount of power
saved is equivalent to run the entire traffic light system for 10 days
or power 30 homes for a month. Earth Hour was started in 2007 by the
World Wildlife Fund to raise awareness about climate change.
Proposed Innisfail Bioenergy Plant Still
Alive
An ethanol, biodiesel and canola crush facility proposed 3.5 years ago
just north of Innisfail in Red Deer County is still considered very much
alive according to company officials. The multi-million dollar project
by Alberta Ethanol and Biodiesel GP Ltd., a partnership of Dominion
Energy, the Carlyle Group and Riverstone Holdings, is seeking production
incentives from the federal and provincial governments in order to
proceed. If funding is approved, the first phase, consisting of an
ethanol plant capable of producing 190 million litres annually, will
take about 18 months to construct. Subsequent phases would double the
ethanol capacity and add a 380 million litre biodiesel plant and 380
million litre canola crush plant. The original estimated cost of
construction of the entire facility was $400 million. Although existing
capacity in North America exceeds demand, the company believes that will
change in the future.
Mar. 27, 2010
Airport to Get New De-Icing Facility
Red Deer Regional Airport has recently secured $450,000 in funding for a
new de-icing facility that will help attract major air carriers and make
the airport a full-service air transport centre. The funding came
equally from three sources -- the City of Red Deer, Red Deer County and
the federal government. Construction will begin in the summer and be
completed by fall. The project is the third major improvement at the
airport over the past 3 years. A $1.2 million upgrade to runway lights
in 2008 and $800,000 snow removal equipment in 2009 were completed with
federal funding. The next big project is a $3-$5 million runway
maintenance project set for 2012. The airport authority also wants to
extend the main runway from 5,500 ft. to 7,000 ft.
Chamber Conducts Education Challenges
Survey
The Red Deer Chamber of Commerce Education Policy Committee is
conducting a survey among area businesses to determine what kind of
education challenges are being faced in today's workforce and how
businesses are dealing with them. The 10-question survey asks about
hiring based on education, economic impact of education issues to high
school completion rates. Results will be released in May.
Mar. 25, 2010
City Could Attract More
Tournaments
Travel Alberta's chief executive officer indicated recently at the
annual general meeting of Tourism Red Deer that Red Deer's location,
superb recreational facilities, excellent trail system, golf courses and
supply of first class hotels make it ideal to capture a much larger
share of the tournament market than it does already. Bruce Okabe
compared Red Deer with Kamloops, a similar community in B.C. that
successfully captured a large share of the tournament market.
Buffalo Lake Plan a Finalist for Award
The Buffalo Lake Integrated Shoreland Management Plan, developed more
than five years ago to protect and enhance the shoreline around the
lake, has been named one of eight finalists in the Alberta Emerald
Foundation award. Located about 55 km northeast of Red Deer, the lake is
growing in popularity with more residences nearby and more people using
the lake and its shoreline for recreational activities. The plan was
initiated by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and involved other
groups and municipalities including the counties of Stettler, Lacombe
and Camrose as well as the summer villages of Rochon Sands and White
Sands.
Rail Spur Planned for Bowden
Refinery
Red Deer County council has granted first reading for a proposed area
structure plan to allow Parkland Refinery Ltd. to build a rail spur off
the nearby Canadian Pacific Railway line into the Bowden Refinery.
Rezoning will be required for 14 acres of Parkland-owned agricultural
land to become heavy industrial for the spur line needed to efficiently
transfer gasoline and diesel fuel to tank cars.
Mar. 24, 2010
High Speed Rail Study Prompted by Rural
Groups
Concerns expressed by Central Alberta rural municipalities about the
effect on rural life of a possible future high speed rail line between
Calgary and Edmonton have resulted in the commission of a study by the
Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC).
Although not necessarily opposed to it, some rural communities are
concerned that the line would only benefit the three cities (including
Red Deer) and may take away economic opportunities from the smaller
centres. The line could also potentially create a barrier for travellers
and farmers. Meanwhile the province is preparing for a high speed rail
corridor study when funding becomes available.
City Parkade Construction Making Progress
Construction is proceeding well for Red Deer's $21.3 million, 400-stall
parkade over the downtown transit terminal. The project includes a
curved green roof that will eventually sport vegetation which will help
absorb rainwater, provide insulation, create bird habitat and help lower
the downtown's air temperature. It will also include a transit office
and retail space. Architecturally, the building will have a contemporary
look. The foundation was built in 2002 as part of the transit terminal.
Construction is expected to be completed this summer.
Fundraising for Rimbey Pool Gets Under
Way
The Rimbey Lions Club is leading a $1 million community fundraising
campaign to build a new $2.25 million outdoor pool. The federal
Recreational Infrastucture Canada program under the Canada Economic
Action Plan has committed $750,000 toward the construction provided the
pool is built by March 2011. The existing pool is about 40 years old and
needs to be replaced. The town is proposing to build a leisure pool,
junior Olympic-sized pool, diving boards, hot tub, waterslide, spray
park, change rooms and other features. A roof could be erected over the
pool at a later time.
Mar. 23, 2010
City Downtown Cenotaph
Park to Proceed
Red Deer city council has approved the creation of Veteran's Park around
the cenotaph at Ross Street in downtown Red Deer. The estimated $1.3
million small park will slow traffic, be pedestrian friendly and include
space for a well-lit gathering place protected from traffic, a podium
and flagpole as well as the existing cenotaph that has been in the
middle of the street facing the railway station since the 1920s. Two
lanes of traffic will pass to the south in much the same way as been the
case since the new Executive Place office building started in the summer
of 2007. Construction is expected to start this summer and be completed
by November 11 in time for Remembrance Day.
City Boosts Financial Support for
Heritage Ranch
Red Deer city council has approved an increase in operating subsidy to
Heritage Ranch from $60,000 annually to $170,000. In addition, the city
is investing $1.3 million over the next two years for improvements to
the ranch's building, trails, children's playground, roads and signs.
The operation is part of the city's Waskasoo Park system and will
maintain its equestrian facilities. A marketing strategy is being
planned for the area on the west side of the city near the river and
close to Highway QE2, Tourism Red Deer and the Alberta Sports Hall of
Fame.
Two New Hotels Under Construction South
of City
A new 5-storey, 111-suite Holiday Inn on the east side of Gasoline Alley
south of Red Deer is now under construction. The hotel will include a
500-person conference centre and banquet facilities as well as
restaurant, lounge, waterslide and pool. Meanwhile, the new 4-storey,
110-suite Hampton Inn on the west side of Gasoline Alley is expected to
be open by summer. The hotel will include a swimming pool, fitness area
and breakfast area.
Mar. 22, 2010
Event Celebrates Elimination of
Discrimination
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was
celebrated yesterday at the Hub in downtown Red Deer. Since 1966, the
United Nations has set March 21 as a day to promote racial harmony in
memory of several peaceful demonstrators against apartheid who were
killed in South Africa on that day in 1960. The local event was
organized by Central Alberta Diversity Association, Central Alberta
Refugee Effort Committee, Central Alberta Immigrant Women's Association,
Red Deer Native Friendship Society and the Hub on Ross.
Mar. 19, 2010
Springbrook Recreation Centre for Sale
The Springbrook Recreation Facility, built in the early 1950s by the
military for NATO training and currently owned by Trinidad Drilling
Ltd., is for sale with a list price of $1.8 million. The 42,000 sq. ft.
building sits on 6 acres of land and contains a convenience store,
restaurant space, gymnasium, fitness centre and the Springbrook
Community Centre in the former theatre. The property was sold to private
developers in 1995 when the Penhold base closed and was purchased by
Trinidad a couple of years ago for oilpatch training. However the
downtown in the energy sector has limited the facility's fit in the
company's business plan.
Military Reservists Finish Pedestrian
Bridge
Army reservists from 41 Combat Engineer Regiment have completed the
installation of wood decking and hand rails on the Blindman River
pedestrian bridge ahead of schedule. About $50,000 worth of time and
expertise were donated by the reservists from Edmonton and Calgary. The
bridge is located north of Red Deer on the C & E Trail where a vehicle
bridge was once situated. It is part of the future regional trail
network linking communities throughout Central Alberta and is part of
the Trans Canada Trail. Funding for the bridge has been contributed by
Lacombe County, Alberta TrailNet, the National Trails Coalition and
Trans Canada Trail.
Mar. 17, 2010
Mirror School to Close
The Wolf Creek Public School Division has decided to close Mirror School
east of Lacombe at the end of this school year in June. Beginning in
September, most students from the kindergarten to Grade 8 school will be
bused to Alix, about 15 minutes away. This year only 44 students have
been going to the school. Closing the school is expected to save the
division almost one half million dollars per year. Mirror is a hamlet in
Lacombe County.
Blackfalds Taking a Run at Hockeyville
Blackfalds has been named one of 12 Canadian communities in the Kraft
Hockeyville 2010 contest and the only one in Alberta. If Blackfalds wins
the $100,000 top prize, the cash will be used to enhance the Blackfalds
Multiplex built in 1991 and expanded a few years ago. The winner will be
determined by public online voting.
Olympic Hockey Coach Visits Red Deer
Head Canadian Olympic men's hockey coach Mike Babcock was the featured
speaker recently at the 7th annual Red Deer College Kings and Queens
Scholarship Breakfast at the Capri Centre. Babcock was coach of the RDC
Kings men's hockey team for three years from 1988-1990. He is currently
head coach of the Detroit Red Wings.
Mar. 16, 2010
New SPCA Animal Centre Ready to Open
The new $4.2 million, 12,300 sq. ft. Red Deer & District SPCA Animal
Welfare and Humane Education Centre will be open to the public by the
end of the week. Located next to the old facility on 77 Street east, the
state-of-the-art centre is more than four times the size with double the
capacity for pets and will be able to look after 100-120 cats and 30-35
dogs.
Unique Short Golf Course to Open in Springbrook
'The Bunker', a new short flight golf course on a 10-acre parcel at the
entrance to Springbrook, is set to open to the public in early June. Woosh Recreation has had special golf balls manufactured that are close
to half the weight of regular golf balls and travel about one third the
distance. They also don't hurt as much if a person is hit by one. The facility got its name from being on the same
site as the military 'bunker' once stood.
Sylvan Lake Park Transferred to Town
The Centennial Park portion of Sylvan Lake Provincial Park has been sold
to the Town of Sylvan Lake for $1. The 2.5 hectare property has been
identified as critical to the town's Waterfront Redevelopment Plan and
will continue to be used for recreational purposes.
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