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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
June 2011 Part
1
June 15, 2011
City Seeks Public Input on 'Railyards'
District
The City of Red Deer is looking for input on naming an area that was
once an industrial area and part of the CPR rail yards on the northwest
edge of the downtown between Gaetz Avenue and the river and is now ready
for redevelopment. Input is also being sought on what kind of
development should occur in the area over the next 20 years. The Greater
Downtown Action Plan tentatively called the area 'Railyards' and
envisioned a mixed use area with medium to high density housing. A
recent open house at the historic St. Luke's Church downtown drew a
variety of comments including the lack of forethought in leaving a green
corridor linking the historic CPR station and CPR bridge that were both
preserved after the rail yards were relocated 20 years ago.
Red Deer and Olds Profiled in Business
Magazine
Alberta Venture magazine has profiled both Red Deer and Olds as two of
the best 25 communities for business in Western Canada. Red Deer is
cited as one of the best places for small business with its central
location, economic development collaboration and its importance to the
oil and gas sector. Olds is recognized for its information technology
and high-tech services, particularly at Olds College.
June 14, 2011
City Council Weighs
Riverlands Bus Barn Options
Red Deer city council has decided to direct administration to advance to
a Request for Proposals stage for the old bus barns in the Riverlands
redevelopment area west of the downtown near the river. The property has
been eyed by entrepreneurs who want to develop a year-round market and
artisan space. The proposal request will include options for ownership
and vision. Proposals will go back to council for consideration. Council
was mixed about whether the property should remain city-owned and leased
or be sold with some city investment. The city currently owns about 27
acres of the 91 acres that make up the Riverlands area. When the city
originally decided to move the civic yards a few years ago, it was
expected that much of the city-owned land would be sold to help pay for
the relocation and some civic projects planned for the area.
Sylvan Lake Waterfront Property Prices
Adjusted
The Re/Max 2011 Recreational Property Report has adjusted the starting
price of a 3-bedroom winterized lakefront property on Sylvan Lake at
$800,000. That's down significantly from the $1.2 million figure used in
the company's 2010 report and the $1.125 million in 2009. However, it is
still among Canada's priciest recreational properties. Properties away
from the lakeshore start at about $249,000. There are currently 20
listings for lakefront properties and 28 for recreational properties off
the water. The report also said that Pine Lake, Gull Lake and Buffalo
Lake are gaining popularity among buyers.
June 11, 2011
Collicutt Centre
Celebrates 10 Years
When Red Deer's growth shifted from the northwest to the southeast in
the early 1990s, there was a need in that part of the city for new
schools and recreation facilities. Two new high schools were constructed
in close proximity at the corner of two major arterial roads. A new
multi-purpose Collicutt Centre was constructed between them and opened
in June 2001. The facility includes a water park, fitness centre, field
house, arena, soccer pavilion, community common, public art, climbing
wall, indoor fitness track, motion studio, cafe and offers a multitude
of programs as diverse as gymnastics, volleyball, dance, yoga, nutrition
and snorkeling. Celebrations include a wide range of free activities,
birthday cake and a barbecue.
June 10, 2011
Red Deer Average Vacancy Rates Decline
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) reports that the average
apartment vacancy rate in Red Deer has dropped from 8.7% in April 2010
to 6.4% in April this year. The year-over-year decline was most
pronounced for one-bedroom apartments with the average vacancy rate
dropping from 8.7% to 4.2%. Two-bedroom apartments dropped from 9.3% to
7.9%. Three-bedroom apartments dropped from 5.5% to 3.8%. Average
overall rental rates declined during the same period from $787 to $767.
Average April rates for bachelor suites was $584, for one-bedroom $702,
for two-bedroom $820, and for three or more bedrooms $912. Among other
Central Alberta communities of more than 10,000, Sylvan Lake had the
highest vacancy rate at an average 22.1%, mostly as a result of a
vacancy rate of 27% in the 2-bedroom category. The average 2-bedroom
suite in Sylvan Lake rented for $819, an increase from $692. In Lacombe,
the average vacancy rate stood at 11.7%, again as a result of a
particularly high rate in the 2-bedroom category where rents averaged
$755.
June 9, 2011
Red Deer Population
Reaches 91,877
The 2011 municipal census by the City of Red Deer reveals that the
population rose by 1,793 residents or 2% from last year bringing the
total number of Red Deerians to 91,877. The census also revealed that
there were 39,000 households, the average age in the city is 33 and
almost two-thirds of households use social media. Most of the population
increase was in new neighbourhoods in the south and east ends of the
city. Small population decreases were experienced in two neighbourhoods
north of the river. The information is used to determine future schools,
parks and provincial grants.
Housing Starts Down From Year Ago
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) reports that there were 50
housing starts in Red Deer during May, down from the 57 starts a year
ago. The starts included 33 single detached and 17 multi-family units,
compared to 53 single detached and 4 multi-family units in May 2010.
This follows a general trend in other Alberta cities.
Location Decided for New
Catholic School
Red Deer Regional Catholic Schools board of trustees has decided to
locate the new kindergarten to Grade 5 school announced by the
provincial government a couple of weeks ago in the Clearview subdivision
on the northeast side of Red Deer. Father Henri Voisin Elementary School
will be build by 2014 with a capacity of 500 students but will initially
have 300 students.
June 8, 2011
Roundabouts Planned for Blackfalds, Olds
Recent public information sessions have outlined the benefits of
roundabouts, which are modified traffic circles, on some highways in the
region. There is already one functioning effectively at Sylvan Lake at
the intersection of Highways 11A and 20. A larger one is planned near
Blackfalds at the intersection of Highways 2A and 597 within the next
three years and prior to the twinning of Highway 2A between Red Deer and
Blackfalds. Additional roundabouts are being considered near Olds at the
Highway 27 on/off ramps at the Highway 2 interchange.
Oil Derrick Set Up at Red Deer College
A 21-metre oil derrick has been located on the east side of Red Deer
College near the Centre for Trades and Technology to allow students to
have hands-on training in the rig technician program. The equipment was
donated by Red Deer-based High Arctic Energy Services.
June 7, 2011
City Construction Permits Up 37%
The City of Red Deer issued nearly $10 million in permits in May, up
from $8.7 million for the same month in 2010. Year to date, the city has
issued $55.4 million in all categories compared to $40.4 million for the
first five months of last year, an increase of 37%, much of which is due
to a substantial increase in commercial permits that have risen from
$5.9 million to $22.9 million. In May, residential permits accounted for
$6.9 million, up from $6.3 million a year ago. Industrial permits
totalled $2.2 million, up from $1.1 million in May 2010, mostly due to a
$1.9 million permit for an addition to Quinn's Pumps.
Increase in Home Sales in May
Multiple Listing Service (MLS) statistics for May issued by the Central
Alberta Realtors Association indicate that there were 179 home sales in
Red Deer compared to 151 in May 2010 and 225 sales in the area around
the city, compared to 178 a year ago. Sales were higher than in the
previous month as well. However, the average price of a home in Red Deer
was down from last year at over $290,000 and about the same in the
outlying area at over $250,000. During the first five months of the
year, home sales in Red Deer were up 3.5% and outside the city, up 14%.
June 6, 2011
Power Line Upgrades
Slated for Red Deer Region
The Red Deer region and the Didsbury area have been slated for more than
$200 million in upgrades in a long-term $13.5 billion draft provincial
power transmission plan to be implemented over the next 10 years. The
aging system in some areas is said to be unable to absorb new generation
of green energy as well as the anticipated growth of demand. The
preferred option is to decommission existing 138-kilovolt lines between
Wetaskiwin and Lacombe and between Red Deer and Innisfail and replace
them with new 240-kilovolt lines. New substations would be built at
Ponoka, Innisfail and Didsbury and substations at Benalto and Lacombe
would be upgraded.
Proposed Plasco Plant Still in Limbo
The deadline has passed set by the Central Alberta Waste Commission for
the federal government to make a decision about whether the proposed $90
million Plasco waste-to-energy plant qualifies for a $17 million grant
under the Green Infrastructure Fund. The 9-municipality member
commission made an agreement with the company three years ago to build
the gasification plant east of Penhold at no cost to the municipalities.
However, funding issues have delayed the project.
Transit Enthusiast Preserves Rare
Classic
Bus
Facilities superintendent of Red Deer Transit, Steve Parkin,
periodically drives his rare classic 1970s short GMC New Look transit
bus originally based in Nelson, BC. Nicknamed the "baby fishbowl", it's
likely the only bus of its type in Canada that hasn't been scrapped or
converted to a camper. Only about 500 of the smaller buses were built in
North America compared to about 40,000 of the larger version.
June 4, 2011
Nordegg Prepares for Residential Lot Draw
There's a lot of interest in Clearwater County's first lot draw in the
hamlet of Nordegg in four years. In the last lot draw in 2007, more than
200 people showed up for 22 available lots. Since then, about 170 lots
have been planned with 24 leisure residential cottage-style lots and 4
rural residential lots going to a lot draw in August. The cottage lots
are seasonal and not meant for year-round use. About 20 cottage lots
will be available next year and another 20 in 2013. Meanwhile, a $9
million water and sewer system upgrade is nearing completion to enable
the development of permanent residential lots for the first time in
years. A 26-lot subdivision is expected to be ready for sale next year.
June 3, 2011
Intersection Upgrades Could Include
Roundabouts
A study is currently under way at 21 intersections in Red Deer to
determine the most effective way to control traffic in the future
including the option of installing roundabouts. The Traffic Signal
Warrant Study is updating traffic counts in order for the engineering
department to plan future traffic signal installation and intersection
improvements. Roundabouts, which are simplified traffic circles, can be
more efficient than signals in that traffic is require to yield but not
stop. The only roundabout in the city currently is in the new Southbrook
subdivision. Alberta Transportation has built one on Sylvan Lake and
plans to build another near Blackfalds.
City Recommends Modifications for
Interchange
The City of Red Deer is recommending that Alberta Transportation modify
its plan for major Highway 2 improvements at the south end of the city
to include two lanes rather than one for traffic entering and exiting
the city. There is concern that traffic will become congested on Gaetz
Avenue as the city grows. The highway plan includes an additional
entrance at Taylor Drive and a provision to add lanes in the future.
However, the city believes that the option of adding a future lane to a
flyover would be complicated and expensive. Initial construction of the
$40 million project could begin in 2012. Highway 2 traffic in the area
currently stands at 15,500 vehicles per day and has been increasing at a
rate of 4% per year.
June 2, 2011
Stewards Guide Students Through Natural
Area
Volunteer stewards at the 360-acre J.J. Collette Natural Area east of
Morningside between Lacombe and Ponoka are guiding 17 Wolf Creek
Division school groups through the preserve to investigate wildlife from
the perspective of a crime scene investigator. After identifying a
naturally significant scene, students use handouts and ask questions to
help determine what occurred there.
June 1, 2011
Capri Hotel Undergoes
Major Renovation
The landmark Capri Hotel and Convention Centre is undergoing a $10
million makeover in preparation for its rebranding in September as a
Sheraton. All 217 guest rooms are being upgraded with new carpet,
furnishings and artwork. An additional 24 rooms are included in the
renovation project. The work is being done floor by floor minimizing
disruption to guests. Other work includes major changes to the lobby,
upgrades to the fitness area and improvements to safety equipment,
heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. The hotel dates back
to 1961 when it opened as the Capri Motor Inn, was gradually expanded, a
tower added in 1981, and the convention centre added later. The hotel
was sold by the Pasutto family in 2008 for $40 million.
Former Sylvan Lake Hotel Site
Landscaped
A prime site in downtown Sylvan Lake is being landscaped while new
owners determine its future development. Topsoil has been placed over
the underground parkade and the site is currently being landscaped to
turn it into a temporary park. An attractive fence has already been
placed around the former site of the Sylvan Lake Hotel which was torn down in 2002.
The parkade was constructed for a planned 7-storey hotel with convention and
commercial space but activity came to a standstill in 2003. A revised
plan for a 9-storey building with 94 condominium suites and ground floor
commercial space was approved in 2005 but construction never got
underway.
River Valley Park Plan Receives
Award
The River Valley and Tributaries Park Concept Plan, prepared by the City
of Red Deer and Red Deer County, has received an award from the Canadian
Institute of Planners in the Recreation Planning category. The plan
identifies lands best suited for potential trails and parks with a focus
on extending the city's Waskasoo Park system within future growth areas.
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