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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
July 2010 Part 2
July 31, 2010
Rail Tourist Attraction Concept
On Track
The Forth Junction Heritage Society proposal for a major tourist
attraction focused on the railways and ground transportation is
gathering interest. This fall, the group intends to meet with various
organizations and launch a membership drive. It will also have a booth
at a large model railroad show at Westerner Park. Other objectives this
year include obtaining charitable status and moving forward with a major
attraction feasibility study. The society's proposal includes a
heritage-retail-entertainment centre for the future redevelopment of
Riverlands west of downtown Red Deer, Canada's largest historical
railway museum, a railway station and transit heritage resort on the
edge of the city and a replication of the Jubilee locomotive that once
headed 'The Chinook', the fast Calgary to Edmonton passenger train that
ran from 1936 to 1955.
Downtown Office Tower Nears Completion
The $40 million, 12-storey Executive Place office building at the corner
of 49 Avenue and Ross Street in downtown Red Deer is almost finished and
ready for tenants. In addition to a spectacular view from the top floors
of the tallest building in the downtown, the 112,000 sq. ft. structure
has 103,500 sq. ft. of leasable space, underground parking for 100 cars,
3 elevators and state-of-the-art heating and air-conditioning systems.
The developer, Beca International, is actively looking for the ideal
major ground floor tenant that could be a financial institution or
similar business that needs prime location exposure. The top floor would
be ideal for a corporate head office or high-end restaurant and lounge.
B.C. Family Hikes Trans
Canada Trail
The Mash family from Langley, B.C. are gradually walking across Canada
along the Trans Canada Trail, two weeks every year at a time since 2002.
Having completed the B.C. sections of the trail, they arrived in Central
Alberta this week as part of this year's Calgary to Blackfalds trek.
Starting in Victoria, they have now walked more than 2,230 km of the
22,000 km coast-to-coast trail system over 89 walking days. They set up
home base at Sylvan Lake and visited several Alberta attractions on
their 'days off'.
July 30, 2010
Ponoka Revises Annexation Proposal
The Town of Ponoka will apply to annex about 980 acres from Ponoka
County on the west and south of the community. In 2008 the town had
proposed annexing parts of 20 quarter sections, more than doubling its
land base. A growth study completed recently indicated that the town
needs about 1,100 acres of land outside its current boundaries to
provide for 50 years of growth, especially commercial and industrial
growth. It is also beneficial for the town to expand westward toward
Highway 2. The new plan is supported by the county and will go to the
Municipal Government Board soon for approval.
July 29, 2010
Plasco Gets Multi-Million Dollar
Investment Boost
A private investment company from Los Angeles has given a $100 million
investment boost to the proposed waste-to-energy Plasco plant in Red
Deer County. The new cash brings the total amount to $270 million
invested in the gasification technology that uses intense heat to
convert municipal garbage into a gas that can generate electricity. The
company is still waiting to hear from Ottawa regarding a $24 million
grant from the Green Infrastructure Fund. Construction on the 200-tonne
per day plant to be built next to the Horn Hill Waste Transfer Site east
of Penhold could begin later this year.
Downtown Mixed-Use Building Gets Approval
Red Deer city council has given approval for the River City
Developments' Elements 5-storey mixed-use building proposed along Gaetz
Avenue between the Red Deer River and the Saputo Foods (formerly Alpha)
dairy plant built in the 1950s on the north side of downtown. The
project includes 12 residential units, nearly 6,300 square metres of
commercial and office space and 254 parking stalls. Plans call for the
closure of the 54 Avenue underpass and the extension west of 55 Street,
likely next year. Meanwhile, Saputo plans to build a new milk receiving
bay that will be more accessible from within plant property so as to not
interfere with the 55 Street extension.
Land Deal Assists Riverside Meadows
Project
Red Deer city council has approved a land sale agreement for the former
Harpers Metals scrapyard site in the Riverside Meadows district on the
north side of the river for a multi-family residential project by
Riverpointe Crossing Ltd. The project will include 24 townhouse units, 4
eight-unit complexes and 3 ten-unit complexes for a total of 86 housing
units. The first phase of the project is required to be completed by the
end of 2011. The site had been cleaned up in 2007 in preparation for a
much larger proposed development but economic conditions scuttled that
plan.
Grain Elevator Artwork Approved for
Museum
A piece of artwork entitled 'End of the Line: Red Deer Elevator Row' has
been approved by Red Deer city council for outside the newly-renovated
Red Deer and District Museum and Art Gallery. The winding seating area
will represent the rail lines that carried grain from the elevators to
other centres and ports. Tall pieces will look like grain elevators to
remind people of the importance of Red Deer's agrarian heritage.
July 27, 2010
Ambitious River Park
Expansion Plan Adopted
The River Valley and Tributaries Park Concept Plan that will expand the
city's park area dramatically over the next 30 to 50 years has been
adopted by Red Deer city council. The plan contains 21 recommendations
that include designating the Red Deer River as a municipal park. As city
growth occurs, the city would extend Waskasoo Park along the Red Deer
River and its tributaries. Park land would grow from the current 2,300
acres by an additional 7,135 acres and expand the 95 km of existing
trails by an additional 358 km. Municipal reserves or land purchases
along the Red Deer and Blindman Rivers as well as along Waskasoo and
Piper Creeks would create environmental buffers along each waterway. The
plan also suggests the creation of 13 park nodes or larger gathering
areas, 8 of which would be more than 99 acres in size. Some would be
active recreation and culture areas while others would be passive
recreation and natural areas. Both the city and Red Deer County created
the plan to identify lands suited for future trails and park space
within Red Deer's future growth area.
July 26, 2010
Record Year for This Year's
Westerner Days
This year's 5-day Westerner Days annual fair and exhibition broke the
record for total attendance at 92,689 people, about 2,000 more than the
previous record set in 2008. Specific day attendance records were also
broken for Wednesday (15,410) and Friday (24,302). Excellent weather,
new facilities and top-notch entertainment contributed to this year's
success. Despite having 580 new parking spaces available this year, on
the busiest days some vehicles had to be parked in the racetrack infield
after the pony chuckwagon races had been completed.
July 24, 2010
Blackfalds Sets Sights on New Recreation
Centre
The Town of Blackfalds is in the initial planning stages for a new field
house as the first phase of a recreation complex on a 12-acre parcel on
the northwest corner of the community. Originally the property was
purchased as an option for the new RCMP building which is now under
construction on a different parcel in the southwest part of town.
Creation of a field house, including an indoor gymnasium and playground,
was among ideas brought forward in a 2008 community needs assessment. A
second phase could include construction of an aquatics centre, once the
town is big enough to support such a facility.
July 23, 2010
Sundre Annexation Gets Provincial
Approval
The provincial government has approved the annexation by the Town of
Sundre of 1,200 acres on all four sides of the town from Mountain View
County. The town, with a 2006 census population of 2,518 and a current
estimated population of 2,700, was about 1,700 acres prior to
annexation. Most future residential growth will occur on the north side
of town. Some of the annexed land will be for highway commercial
development as the town is the junction of Highways 22, 27 and 584. It
is expected that the annexed land will be sufficient for town growth for
the next 20-25 years.
Municipalities Apply For Provincial
Flood Aid
The City of Red Deer and other Central Alberta municipalities including
the Town of Lacombe will apply for provincial disaster aid for flood
victims after heavy rains on July 12 and 13 caused basement flooding of
several homes in the area. Over 100 mm (4 inches) of rain fell at the
Red Deer Regional Airport in that two day period on land that was
already saturated by earlier rains.
July 22, 2010
Province Funds Cancer Centre Expansion
Three radiation vaults will be added to the Central Alberta Cancer
Centre at the west side of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre as a
result of the province proceeding with providing $42.8 million for the
project as part of the recently announced $1.4 billion Health Capital
Plan. First announced in 2007 and confirmed in 2008 with the federal
government providing $11 million, construction is expected to get
underway in a few months with operation of the first machine in 2012.
The centre is expected to treat about 900 patients per year and will be
triple the size of the current facility. Once completed, 75 to 80% of
people will be able to get the radiation therapy locally for breast,
prostate, gastrointestinal, urinary system cancers and palliative
treatment to manage pain.
Buffalo Lake Protected Habitat Increased
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has purchased another quarter section
of land on the northeast side of Buffalo Lake, increasing the protected
wildlife habitat in the Red Deer River Natural Area to 4,100 acres.
Funding for the purchase was provided by Environment Canada and Trans
Canada Pipelines.
Beaver Saga Ends With Shooting at Dog
Park
An aggressive beaver, likely protecting its habitat or young, that got
national publicity as a result of it killing one dog and injuring others
at the Three Mile Bend off-leash dog park in Waskasoo Park, has been
mysteriously shot and killed. Red Deer city RCMP are investigating the
incident and if the perpetrator is found, several charges are likely.
Meanwhile, the city parks department has abandoned plans to relocate
beavers from the park.
Thousands Watch Westerner
Parade
Thousands of people lined the streets of downtown Red Deer yesterday to
watch the annual Westerner Days parade, the kickoff to the 5-day
Westerner Days Fair and Exhibition. The award-winning Red Deer Royals
Showband was the only marching band in this year's parade.
July 21, 2010
Westerner Days Visitor Arrest
Tradition
Continues
A family from Victoria, B.C. was 'arrested' by the RCMP as they were
passing by Red Deer along Highway 2 yesterday as part of the annual
tradition of the police pulling over a vehicle with out-of-province
licence plates to be the guests of the city and the Westerner for two
days of hospitality and gifts. The family received two nights
accommodation, free passes to the Westerner grounds and midway, several
meals, the use of a car, western wear and other gifts. They also
participate in the annual Westerner Parade.
Women's Affordable Housing Project Opens
Soon
Julietta's Place, an affordable housing facility currently under
construction north of downtown, is expected to be available by the end
of October to women and their children after their stay at the Women's
Shelter. The $1.5 million project will have 10 suites ranging from
3-bedroom to 1-bedroom units to be used for a limited period of time as
transitional housing. A $1 million grant has been received from the
province.
July 17, 2010
Province Approves City Status for
Lacombe
The provincial cabinet recently approved the town of Lacombe's
application to become Alberta's 17th city as of September 5. In 2009,
the town's municipal census showed that 11,733 people called Lacombe
home. The province has agreed to upgrade Highway 2A through the town,
expected next year, before it becomes the responsibility of the new
city. In a public hearing and survey, 92% of the population favoured the
change in status. Lacombe celebrated its centennial as a town in 2002.
When the Calgary-Edmonton Railway went through in 1891, it built a
siding called Siding #12, more commonly called Barnett's Siding named
after the first resident who arrived in 1883 and who set up a stopping
house along the Calgary and Edmonton Trail. The railway renamed the
community Lacombe after Father Albert Lacombe who had become known as a
missionary peacemaker among the aboriginal people and with the first
settlers.
City Vital Signs Survey Gathering Data
The 4th annual Vital Signs survey, prepared by the Red Deer and District
Community Foundation, has been launched to gather data on a volunteer
basis from local citizens on 12 key areas including safety, education,
health, poverty, arts and the environment. The survey identifies issues
and opportunities facing Red Deer and guides the foundation in
strategically developing programs that meet the needs and desires of the
community. It also compares results from the city survey with other
cities in Canada. Data will be collected until August 31 and a report
will be released on October 5.
Stettler Steam Locomotive Repairs Almost
Done
Repairs are almost complete on the 1920-era steam locomotive No. 41,
used on 80% of the Alberta Prairie Stettler to Big Valley steam
excursions that attract around 20,000 visitors per year. The $100,000
project is expected to be completed by the end of the month. While the
repairs were being done, the trains have been headed by either a diesel
locomotive or historic Mountain locomotive 6060.
July 16, 2010
Funds Provided for
Nordegg Historic Site
A $250,000 restoration project at the Nordegg National Historic Site is
underway after receiving funds from three sources. Parks Canada has
provided $125,000, Alberta Historic Resources Fund $60,000 and
Clearwater County in partnership with the Nordegg Historic Society the
balance. Work consists of restoring the boiler house and some of the 50
buildings at the former coal mine site, many of which are 70 to 80 years
old. The mine started up in 1912, shipped its first coal in 1914 and
shut down in 1955. About 5,000 people lived in the community at the
mine's peak in the 1940s. Each year, about 2,000 people visit the
historic site and about 12-15,000 people visit the Brazeau Collieries
Minesite Industrial Museum annually. The best-kept site of its kind in
Western Canada became a Provincial Historic Resource in 1993 and a
National Historic Site in 2002.
Family Business Closes After
65 Years
Adviser Graphics and Adviser Publications, both part of the Rideout
family business begun 65 years ago, has closed. Les Rideout moved to Red
Deer from Edmonton in 1946 to start an ad sheet called 'The Ad-Viser'.
Over time the flyers evolved into a weekly newspaper which was sold in
the 1990s and ultimately became the Red Deer Express. The business had
also expanded to include the publication of several of the region's
newspapers. Meanwhile, in the 1970s, the Rideouts developed a commercial
printing division which was operated by Les' sons, Keith and David, and
survived until it closed on June 25 in part due to changes in the
industry and the passing of Keith. Some of the company's 15 employees
have moved to Prolific Graphics as has many of Adviser Graphics'
clients.
Park Plaza Theatre Building Sold
The former Park Plaza Theatre on the east side of downtown Red Deer has
been purchased by Carnival Cinemas but it will not return as a movie
theatre. It may be transformed into an office building, medical clinic
or seniors residence. The building was originally built as a movie
theatre in 1968 by the Purnell family who operated 11 other theatres in
the area including two drive-ins on the fringe of the city. It was
purchased by Famous Players in 1988 and was owned by Cineplex
Entertainment when it closed earlier this year. Cineplex owns Galaxy
Cinemas that opened in Gasoline Alley a couple of years ago.
Several Schools Being Upgraded in Region
Upgrades, additional modules and maintenance renewal projects are
occurring throughout the Red Deer region by several school districts.
Some of the larger projects include the $9 million modernization of G.H.
Dawe Community School in Red Deer, the $3.5 million modernization of
Aspen Heights Elementary School in Red Deer and the $7 million
modernization of C.P. Blakely School in Sylvan Lake.
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