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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
1
Mar. 13, 2010
Luxury Riverfront
Development Proposed
River City Developments is proposing 110,000 sq. ft. of luxury condos,
office space and commercial space on Red Deer's prime riverfront
property west of Gaetz Avenue on the south side of the Red Deer River.
The project, slated to be called Elements of River's Edge, would consist
of three buildings, one of which would be a 5-storey building with each
of the top three storeys containing four residential condominiums. The
bottom two storeys and the other two 2-storey buildings would have
commercial and office space. The project also includes a restaurant and
lounge. The developer wants to purchase city-owned road rights of way
and municipal reserve once 55 Street is realigned west of Gaetz Avenue.
Vital Signs Project Explores Future Red
Deer
The Red Deer & District Community Foundation asked a cross-section of
city residents recently how to create a strong, vibrant community, how
to judge progress, and what Red Deer would look like in 25 years if Red
Deer had the best of everything. In June, Expressions of Opinion will be
posted on the foundation's website and the Vital Signs report will be
issued in October focusing on 12 key areas including safety, education,
health, poverty, arts and the environment. Red Deer is one of 16
communities in Canada that annually publishes the report.
Mar. 12, 2010
City Receives Additional Provincial
Funding
The Alberta government has indicated that it will be providing the City
of Red Deer $6.5 million more than was expected by the city when it
drafted its 2010 budget. An additional $7.7 million will be coming from
the Municipal Sustainability Initiative. On the other hand $1.2 million
of expected funding from the Municipal Infrastructure Program was cut.
The news will have no effect on this year's property taxes.
Mar. 11, 2010
No Provincial Decision Yet on Regional
High School
A decision on the location of a new regional high school to replace
River Glen School in Red Deer has been stalled by the provincial
government while it waits for the results of a couple of studies to
determine the needs of schools in the Red Deer area served by both the
Chinooks Edge School Division and the Red Deer Catholic School District.
A plan for a Grade 7 to
12 regional school having a capacity of 500 students southwest of the
city has been in the works for several years. The
Town of Penhold has sent a request to Chinooks Edge School Division to
have it locate at their new multiplex site. Penhold is one of three
locations being considered. The others are Springbrook and Liberty Park
immediately west of Gasoline Alley.
Talks Proceed for South Red Deer
Development
Construction could get under way late this year or early next year on
Southpointe Junction west of Southpointe Common on the south end of Red
Deer as the developer Qualico negotiates with prospective clients. Most
municipal approvals have already been achieved for the development that
will include both commercial and residential uses on a quarter section
west of Taylor Drive.
Mar. 9, 2010
Netook Concept Plan Approved East of Olds
Mountain View County has approved the Netook Crossing North concept plan
which covers 565 acres east of the town of Olds at the northwest corner
of Highways 2 and 27. More than 140 acres along the two highways will
become Netook Crossing North Business Park with 38 commercial and
industrial lots proposed. Construction could begin later this year. The
business park will act as a buffer for 430 residential lots proposed as
a development called Netook Crossing Estates that will feature large
lots, open spaces, a trail system and wetland preservation. The county
previously approved a broader area structure plan that covers about
4,000 acres. It includes a similar development already under
construction southwest of the junction of the two highways. The name
Netook was derived from the Blackfoot term "nee-tuck-kis", which means
"lone pine tree", referring to a landmark which once stood in the area
and was the location of a stopping house on the Calgary-Edmonton Trail.
Mar. 8, 2010
Public Chats With Councillors, City
Departments
The annual Let's Talk at Parkland Mall on Saturday provided an
opportunity for the public to discuss concerns in an informal way with
the mayor, city manager, city councillors and representatives of several
city departments. There were 28 displays as well as the city council
booth, many of which showed future plans and projects.
Home Builders Optimistic at
Home Show
About 200 exhibitors displayed their services at the Red Deer Home Show
over the weekend that attracted an estimated 10,000 people. Both
exhibitors and visitors expressed increased optimism about the region's
economic future than was the case last year when builders were in the
middle of an economic slump.
Mar. 6, 2010
Funds Committed to $36 Million
Sewer
Project
The City of Red Deer, the province and the federal government are each
sharing in the cost of a major sewer and storm water expansion to
provide for future city growth as well as for a regional system. The
project involves building pipelines under the Red Deer River to connect
the city's east growth area to water treatment facilities on the west
side of the river, improvements to the existing infrastructure and
provide an eventual link to communities south of the city.
Mar. 5, 2010
Hollingsworth Appreciates Community
Support
Olympic skeleton racer Melissa Hollingsworth, 29, has indicated that she
will be doing a lot of speaking engagements in the near future that
includes her appreciation of the Central Alberta community in her
pursuit of the podium. Although denied a medal in Vancouver, she won a
bronze at the 2006 Olympics and has been a World Cup champion. Born in
Lacombe, raised on a farm north of Leslieville, schooled at Eckville and
now living in Calgary, Melissa wants to share her story with her
supporters. She was recently voted the Vancouver games sexiest athlete,
ahead of American skier Lindsey Vonn, in a poll conducted by Lavalife.
Penhold Multiplex Set for July Opening
The new $20 million 100,000 sq. ft. Penhold Regional Multiplex
recreational and cultural centre, on the east side of the town of 2,100
residents close to Highway 42, is having its official opening July 9
and 10. The first phase of construction, that includes the ice arena, 4,000 sq. ft. fitness
centre, an upper level running track and bistro/cafe, is expected to be
finished by the end of March. The second phase includes a 6,000 sq. ft.
regional library, meeting rooms, offices and a dance studio and is
expected to be finished by mid May. The third phase, the gymnasium, is
expected to be done by the end of June. All three levels of government
have contributed funding for the complex.
Mar. 4, 2010
City and County Plan to Extend
Waskasoo Park
The City of Red Deer is working with Red Deer County to extend the
city's popular Waskasoo Park and trail system in the proposed River
Valley and Tributaries Park Concept Plan revealed to the public
recently. The purpose of the plan is to identify the best lands suited
for future park and trail development within the city growth areas, most
of which is currently within the county. The plan anticipates growth of
the park by more than 7 acres and an additional 350 km of trails as the
population of the city moves toward 300,000 over the next several
decades. In addition, the plan proposes 13 park gathering areas, many of
which would be along the river and natural areas. The projected cost to
fully execute the plan would be around $190 million or about $52,000 per
hectare. One of the objectives of the plan is to protect prized parkland
as development occurs. It is expected that both councils will consider
the plan in the spring.
Local Family Intends to Purchase
Canyon
Ski Area
An unidentified area family has offered to purchase the popular Canyon
Ski and Recreation Area and continue to run it as a ski resort. The deal
is expected to be finalized in June and will end two years of
uncertainty for the facility. For awhile it appeared that the City of
Red Deer and Red Deer County might purchase the property but a proposal
was left in limbo when an operator couldn't be found. The ski area began
in 1968 by Karl Martinek and it evolved into a family business over the
next four decades. It is the largest non-mountain ski resort in the
province.
Feast & Ceremony to Honour Native
Children
A special feast and ceremony is being organized at Fort Normandeau in
June to honour children who died at the former Red Deer Industrial
School that operated from the mid-1890s to 1919 by the Methodist Church
across the river from the fort. First Nations children from pre-school
to age 14 had been taken from their homes to be educated and learn
farming and domestic skills but within the first two years of the
opening of the school, a third of the children succumbed to diseases
including tuberculosis. In 2008 an archeologist found at least 18 graves
near the former site. Cree, Nakoda, Metis and church representatives
have been organizing the event that will include a pipe ceremony at the
cemetery, prayers and a feast of native dishes at the fort.
Mar. 3, 2010
Proposals for Downtown Cenotaph Park
Revealed
Two proposals for a $1.3 million plaza and small park connecting the
cenotaph in the centre of Ross Street in downtown Red Deer to the north
sidewalk were unveiled at an open house at City Hall recently. Two lanes
of traffic would pass to the south, maintaining the existing jog in the
road that has been in place since construction of Executive Place tower
began in late 2007. In addition to the historical significance, it would
help make the downtown more pedestrian-friendly. The only difference
between the two proposals is the number of parking space affected.
Construction could begin in July.
City Housing Starts Could Increase 40%
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., in its quarterly housing market
outlook, is predicting that Red Deer could see 700 housing starts this
year, an increase of over 40% over 2009. The agency is also predicting a
further increase of 20% in 2011 to 830 starts, ranking the city as one
of the strongest year-over-year housing surges expected in the province.
Housing sales and housing prices are also expected to increase but at a
less dramatic rate.
City Building Permits Up Over Last Year
Red Deer issued 76 residential permits in February valued at $5.5
million, compared to 53 permits valued at $3.3 million for the same
month in 2009. In January, permits had also exceeded the previous year
by $2 million. For the first two months of the year, combined permits
were valued at $13.5 million representing about an 18% increase over the
first two months of 2009 almost all of which was due to residential
building. Commercial, industrial and public permits were down slightly.
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