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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
May 2010 Part
1
May 15, 2010
Popular Lacombe Mural Project Expanding
A multi-year project by Lacombe artist Tim Giles painting murals on the
sides of buildings in the town's downtown is continuing this year with a
further multi-year project that includes a 360 degree, 9,400 sq. ft.
mural using the backs of alley buildings. Giles was hired by the town in
2004 for the first two murals to help beautify the downtown and he has
been commissioned by the town and a number of businesses since to do
several more depicting the history and character of Lacombe. A walking
tour has been developed that follows his work and the project has become
a tourist attraction.
May 14, 2010
Grain Elevator Museum Proposed in Stettler
The Stettler P&H Elevator Preservation Society, a registered charitable
group, is in the process of raising funds to restore a 1920s wooden
Parrish and Heimbecker grain elevator to working order for future live
demonstrations. The historic towering yellow structure, last used in
2003, is to be repainted in its original deep red colour as part of a
rail museum. Once very common in virtually every town on the prairies,
the 'sentinels' have largely disappeared. The land on which the elevator
stands is now owned by Alberta Prairie Rail Excursions and is in close
proximity to the very popular steam train tour station in Stettler.
Additional buildings on the property will also be fixed up and used for
future exhibits.
Lacombe County May Need Highway
Upgrades
According to a study just released on the traffic implications of
Lacombe County industrial and commercial growth over the next 20 years
on the west side of Highway 2 near Lacombe and Blackfalds will require
several million dollars of highway improvements. At 10% development $26
million of road and intersection upgrades will be needed, at 30% $56
million in additional upgrades and at 50% $107 million of additional
upgrades, totalling $189 million. About 60% of the cost is expected to
be picked up by the province. The study is background for a proposed
Highway 2 West Area Structure Plan.
Industrial Park East of Lacombe Proposed
Lacombe County council has approved first reading to rezone 279 acres of
agricultural land 4 km east of Lacombe for the proposed IronRail
Industrial Park south of Highway 12. The 39-lot development first
proposed in spring 2007 would be built in phases.
May 13, 2010
Memorial Forest Being Developed in Gasoline Alley
Parkland Memorial Park on the west side of Gasoline Alley along Highway
2 is gradually being developed as a forest and park with bridges, paths
and park benches. Opened in 2003 by Parkland Funeral Home and
Crematorium, the park surrounds a wetland area that is home to geese,
ducks and muskrat. There are currently about 700 trees that include ash,
chokecherry and lilac with a few willow and rose on the 4-acre property.
It is estimated that another 400-500 trees could be planted over the
next several years. Once the park is filled, it will be released over to
Red Deer County.
Birds Return to Ellis Bird Farm
Bluebirds, tree swallows and purple martins have returned from their
winter migration to the Ellis Bird Farm located southeast of Lacombe and
northeast of Blackfalds near the Prentiss MEGlobal petrochemical plant.
The tea house kitchen has had some improvements over the winter and a
viewing area at the wetland has been upgraded.
No New Major City Road Projects in 2010
Although there will be no new major road projects in the city of Red
Deer this year, there will still be lots of road maintenance and
upgrades during this construction season. About $4.5 million worth of
road resurfacing will occur in 35 sites throughout the city as well as
some bridge upgrades, guard rail replacement and sidewalk improvements.
May 12, 2010
Energy Companies Donate $1 Million to RD College
Natural gas giant Encana and Cenovus Energy have jointly donated $1
million to the Red Deer College 'Building Communities Through Learning'
campaign, raising the fundraising amount to $18 million of the $35
million goal. The donation will go toward the college's Flexible
Learning Common, an open space where students can study and learn as
well as be converted to other uses quickly, and Innovative Delivery that
brings education to the rural community.
May 11, 2010
Aquatic Groups Band Together for Pool
Several aquatic groups have joined together determined to see a 10-lane,
53-metre multi-use pool with movable bulkheads built in Red Deer. The
newly-formed Central Alberta Aquatic Centre (CAAC) represents various
groups including Silver Sharks Masters Swim Club, Catalina Swim Club and
Red Deer Synchronized Swim Club. Members argue that there are still the
same number of swimming lanes in Red Deer as 30 years ago although the
population has doubled. In addition, the city is one of the few cities
of its size without a competitive pool. The group will decide soon on
how to use the $200,000 provided by the City of Red Deer to most effectively create a detailed business
plan and concept model for the proposed facility.
Trails Society Experiences Success
The Central Alberta Regional Trails Society (CARTS) will report at their
upcoming annual meeting that considerable success has been achieved over
the past year. Two pedestrian bridges, one over the Blindman River north
of Red Deer and one over the Battle River at Ponoka, have been
constructed and sections of the 70.6 km Trans Canada Trail between
Ponoka and Penhold are at or near completion. Further progress is
anticipated over the next year or two with the TCT and other regional
trails. The grand opening for the Blindman bridge will be held June 5.
Residential Construction Shows Vigor
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reports that Red Deer residential
starts in April were triple the same month last year. Work began on 40
single-detached homes and 6 multi-family units compared to 13
single-detached and 2 multi-family in April 2009. During the first four
months of the year, work has started on 118 single-detached and 136
multi-family units, up nearly 250% from the same period in 2009.
May 10, 2010
Innisfail Historic Village Celebrates 40th Year
Two new displays at the Innisfail Historical Village will mark the 40th
anniversay of the Innisfail and District Historical Society -- a general
store with many artifacts from the town's first store in 1891 when the
town was called Poplar Grove has been recreated in the 1904 Bowden CPR
station moved to the village in 1976 and a historical model rail exhibit
showing how Innisfail looked in 1910 and 1960 as well as railway
memorabilia. the museum features 17 buildings on two acres of land
including an original stopping house built by settlers in 1884.
May 7, 2010
Province Reconsiders Nursing Home Closures
Alberta Health Services is reconsidering its plan to close two Red Deer
long-term care facilities. Residents of Valley Park Manor and Red Deer
Nursing Home will be moving to Extendicare Canada's new Michener Hill
Village in September but the actual number of beds will not
significantly increase. Substantial renovations would be required to use
the two facilities for any use but there is a need for more continuing
care beds for seniors. Rather than demolish the old facilities,
consideration for use as sub-acute care will be explored.
May 6, 2010
Society Searches for Railway Track
The East Central Alberta Heritage Society is looking for 50 km of used
railway track to restore a rail line from Stettler to Donalda. The
recreated line is about 35 km (20 miles) but more rail is required as
not all recovered track can be reused. The total project is estimated to
cost $3.9 million including the cost of track and sidings at Donalda and
Red Willow. About $3 million is already lined up including $2.6 million
committed by the Western Economic Diversification Canada fund obtained
through Canadian Badlands Ltd., a group that boosts tourism in the
region. It is hoped that the
line will be completed in time to run Alberta Prairie Steam Tour railway
excursions as early as 2011.
City Promotional Film Nominated for Award
A film commissioned by the City of Red Deer extolling the virtues of Red
Deer living and aimed at those who are thinking of moving to the city
has been nominated for Best Corporate Video at the Alberta Film and
Television Awards. The short film was produced by Four Horsemen
Entertainment, a group of four alumni of the Red Deer College Motion
Picture Arts program.
May 5, 2010
Construction of Ponoka Ag Centre Set
to Start
Construction on the 80,000 sq. ft. Ponoka Ag Event Centre is expected to
get underway in early June. The PAEC Society has secured more than $6.5
million from a variety of sources including the provincial government,
Ponoka County, the Town of Ponoka and Encana. The Ponoka Stampede
Association donated the land valued at around $500,000. The final cost
is expected to be below the original estimated project cost of $12
million. The facility, which is designed to hold 2,500 spectactors, will
include an event arena and an educational centre.
Historical Society to Organize City Centennial
The Central Alberta Historical Society has accepted a City of Red Deer
request to be the overall organizer of the city's centennial celebration
in 2013. The city has earmarked $10,000 in its 2010 operating budget
towards planning, with potentially more dollars to come in future
budgets.
Red Deer to Promote Penhold Ice Facility
The City of Red Deer will let ice-user groups know about the new $20
million Penhold multiplex and its NHL-sized rink that opens in July but
will not be able to contribute financially to the facility. The city has
six arenas but at least 4% of requests cannot get ice time and other
groups get times that are often inconvenient. The 100,000 sq. ft.
Penhold facility will also have a gymnasium, library, fitness area and
indoor running track.
May 4, 2010
Red Deer Tax Increase Lowest in Decade
Red Deer city council has passed the lowest tax increase in a decade.
The projected average property tax increase this year is about 2.6%. The
operating budget adopted in January projected a 3.3% tax increase but
the blending of municipal and school taxes results in a lower rate.
Multi-family dwelling owners however will pay an average 6.9% increase
but still remains lower than other residential owners. Last year's tax
increase was 5.5%. Dipping into municipal reserves allowed the city to
reduce the tax increase even though the operating budget for the year
has increased. Some user fees have increased from 7% to 13%.
City Swimming Pool Study Funds Released
Red Deer city council has released $200,000 that had been budgeted for a
comprehensive business plan and concept plan for a 50-metre competitive
swimming pool. The Central Alberta Aquatic Centre, made up of various
aquatic users, and the City of Red Deer joint task team are seeking a
consultant to prepare a preferred concept model that would combine the
aquatic centre and the existing Recreation Centre within Rotary
Recreation Park.
Residential Building Permits Exceed 2009
Totals
In April, Red Deer approved $8.8 million in residential
permits, up from $6.7 million for the same month a year earlier. Single
family homes accounted for $7.5 million, up significantly from the $1.9
million recorded in April 2009. For the first 4 months of the year,
residential permits make up $27.1 million, well ahead of the $16.2
million for the same period last year. However, other building
categories are down from 2009.
Genivar Increases Presence in City
Montreal-based Genivar has acquired Red Deer-based Bearden Engineering
Consultants which was founded in 1978, has 23 employees and designed
more than 6,000 projects across Western Canada including commercial,
recreational, hospitality, educational, health care and industrial
buildings. Two years ago, Genivar acquired Red Deer-based EXH
Engineering Services. Genivar has 4,200 employees in more than 80
offices in Canada and internationally.
May 3, 2010
Civil Air Search Teams Stage Simulated Search
About 20 volunteers took part in a Civil Air Search and Rescue
Association (CASARA) simulated search exercise Saturday from the Red
Deer Flying Club building at the Red Deer Regional Airport. This
exercise involved a search in the Sundre, Rocky Mountain House and
Nordegg areas. The volunteer group, which receives funding from the
Canadian Forces to cover expenses, is primarily tasked with finding
downed aircraft, but CASARA has also assisted in searches for missing
children, Alzheimer's patients and oilfield workers lost in the bush.
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