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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 2011 Part
1
July 15, 2011
Juniper Lodge Moved to Tees Treatment
Centre
Major renovations are under way at the Serenity Ranch alcohol and drug
abuse treatment centre north of Tees. The former Juniper Lodge hotel,
which was originally located on the west side of Highway 2 near Lacombe,
was moved and converted to two structures that will be used to house
clients. The existing kitchen is being expanded and upgraded and the 15
mobile homes that have been used for housing will be removed. The
privately-run facility can treat up to 40 people at a time and offers a
42-day addiction recovery program.
Gull Lake Resort Project to Proceed This
Fall
The proposed Sandy Point RV Resort with associated golf course and
marina on Gull Lake is expected to get under way this fall with the
first RV owners moving in during the late summer of 2012. The first
section of the first phase consists of 68 lots of the ultimate 1,125
lots planned. The project will be located on 431 acres on the west side
of the lake northeast of Bentley. In the planning stage for more than 3
years, the original proposal consisted of 3,200 lots but was scaled back
due to local concerns. The first phase of the marina will include 175
slips connected to the lake by a 40-metre channel. The development
includes day-use lots, public beach, picnic areas, playground, general
store, swimming pool and volleyball courts.
Bashaw Plans Centennial Celebration in
August
The Bashaw Centennial and Homecoming from August 19 to 21 will include a
wide variety of activities such as community meals, country bench and
art show, a family fun parade, grandstand concert, fireworks, community
poker game and much more. The bench show focuses on flowers and
photography. Bashaw is a town of over 800 people located west of Buffalo
Lake. The town was named after Eugene Bashaw who bought most of the land
at the former tiny community of Forester won in a poker hand. The
community developed after the arrival of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway
in 1910 and was incorporated as a village in 1911. A few years later, it
became a town.
July 14, 2011
Mayor Supports River Runoff Diversion
Idea
Red Deer Mayor Morris Flewwelling indicated that he can support the
latest proposal from the provincial government that would divert excess
spring runoff from the Red Deer River to ravines that would store the
water for use by households and livestock but only marginally used for
irrigation. The river is the only watershed within the South
Saskatchewan River basin that still has allocations available. To meet
the province's flow agreement with Saskatchewan, allocations from the
Red Deer River are limited to a total of 550 million cubic metres per
year of which 306 cubic metres has already been allocated to the 12,521
licensed users, including the City of Red Deer, as of June 2009.
City
Housing Starts Down 36% From Year Ago
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) reports that in the first half
of 2011, total housing starts in Red Deer were down about 36% from the
same period last year. Single family starts were down 27% to 158 from
217 and multi-family starts were down 50% to 70 from 140. In Lacombe,
residential starts were down 48% from last year. Single family starts
were down 64% from 78 to 28. However, starts in Sylvan Lake were up 12%
with single family up from 66 to 72. Lacombe County starts were also up
from 15 to 24. Red Deer County starts were down from 29 to 26. Only
municipalities of over 10,000 population were surveyed. In Red Deer, the
inventory of unsold single family homes was down from last year but the
inventory of multi-family units was up.
July 13, 2011
Red Deer Council Adopts
Strategic Plan in
Principle
The 2012-2014 Strategic Plan expressing the community's vision has been
adopted in principle by Red Deer city council with the final report set
for August. Community input on six themes has taken place over the past
several months to help administration determine and act on the needs and
issues of importance to Red Deerians.
Downtown Latin Festival Gets City Support
Red Deer city council has granted $15,000 to local organizers of the
Fiestaval Latin Street Festival scheduled for August 20 in the city's
downtown. The Downtown Business Association contributed another $7,500.
Fiestaval offers people the chance to see Latin bands and shows, plus
experience authentic food and other fun activities.
July 12, 2011
Province to Study River Spring Runoff
Diversion
The provincial government is embarking on a two-phase study to assess
the impact of diverting spring runoff water from the Red Deer River to
East Central Alberta where there is plenty of pasture land for livestock
but little moisture some years. Excess runoff from the river could be
stored in deep natural ravines in Stettler and Paintearth Counties and
then used for supplying household needs and water for livestock in drier
years. A "tiny" level of irrigation may also be included. The only
construction would be pipelines to get the water from the river to the
storage areas. The proposed Special Areas Water Supply Project would not
adversely affect a flow agreement with Saskatchewan and water would only
be diverted in years of excess runoff.
Study Recommends Retention of
RCMP for
City
A year-long study of police service in Red Deer was released to city
council yesterday. The report recommends the retention of the RCMP for
city policing rather than the city embarking on its own police force.
Public perception of the services provided by the RCMP was generally
positive. In one survey of almost 400 respondents, more than 66% agreed
that the police provided adequate levels of support. However, several
recommendations were outlined in the report to improve efficiency and
public relations.
Red Deer Council Approves
Bike Lane Pilot
Project
Painted bicycle lanes will be added on four Red Deer streets this year
as a pilot project as a result of a decision by city council yesterday.
The locations were chosen based on desired routes, having wide shoulders
and having connectivity to existing trails. More bike lanes will be
added in 2012.
July 11, 2011
700 Cadets Descend on Springbrook
Over the weekend, 700 air, army and navy cadets from across Canada
converged at the Penhold Cadet Summer Training Centre located at
Springbrook for two, three or six week training courses. More than 1,400
cadets aged 12 to 19 are expected to train during July and August.
Cadets choose between the General Training, Basic Music or Basic
Leadership programs. Three new courses this year are Air Rifle
Marksmanship Instructor, Leadership and Ceremonial Instructor and
Intermediate Musician.
July 9, 2011
Blackfalds Residential Project
Revived
A Medicine Hat developer, CCL Communities, is planning to build 241
semi-detached homes at the north end of Blackfalds. Called Aspen Lakes,
three show homes have already been built. An area structure plan was
approved four years ago when an Edmonton developer planned 450 lots.
July 8, 2011
Red Deer 32 Street Strip Mall Nears
Completion
Construction and most exterior work is nearly complete on the 32nd
Street Crossing strip mall on the site once occupied by the Red Deer
County administration building. Several physicians from the downtown
Parsons Medical Clinic, which will close next year, are committed to
taking 4,800 sq. ft. of the second floor and 1,200 sq. ft. on the main
floor. A dental clinic will take another 2,600 sq. ft. and a yoga studio
will take a similar space. A pharmacy is also expected to locate in the
26,000 sq. ft. building. Other tenants are expected to be announced
soon.
July 7, 2011
Three Vintage Aircraft at Airport for Two Days
Three
vintage aircraft typical of trainers used in the 1940s and 1950s have
been at
the Red Deer Regional Airport recently as
part of the Yellow Wings Tour which is celebrating the role of Canadian
airports for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during the
Second World War. A Harvard Mark IV that trained pilots in the 1950s at
the Penhold base, a Fairchild Cornell that trained pilots in Regina
during the war and a Stearman PT27 that trained pilots at Bowden during
the war, all in flying condition, were on hand.
Sylvan Lake Intermunicipal Plan Gets First Reading
A joint meeting between the councils of the Town of Sylvan Lake and Red
Deer County resulted in both councils giving first reading to the Sylvan
Lake Intermunicipal Development Plan that has been two years in the
making. Second and third reading were postponed until September as a
result of several objections to the plan and a desire to address those
concerns that included potential loss of agricultural land, wildlife and
forested areas.
Apartment Complex in East Red Deer Approved
The Red Deer municipal planning commission has approved the development
of three multi-family buildings in the southeast corner of the
Timberlands subdivision on the east side of the city. Each of the
3-storey buildings will contain 67 units -- 34 two-bedroom, 29
one-bedroom and 4 bachelor suites. The $25 million project represents
the first housing project specifically for the rental market in several
years. The first building is expected to get under way before the end of
summer and be completed a year later.
Shortage of Affordable Seniors Housing
Although a report released by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC)
shows an average vacancy rate in Alberta for standard retirement
facilities is at 12.8%, local seniors groups claim that most seniors
housing being built is for the upper income ranges for seniors but the
greatest need is for lower income housing.
July 6, 2011
Mid-Year City Residential
Permits Similar to 2010
The City of Red Deer reports that total construction permits for the
year to date are up from last year and residential permits are close to
the value recorded for the same period in 2010. Commercial permits
showed the largest increase with $21.3 million issued compared to $6.4
million between January and June last year. Residential permits for the
year to date stood at $36.8 million compared to $37.5 million in 2010.
Total permits issued in all categories were valued at $62.9 million
compared to $54.6 million for the first half of last year. In the month
of June, however, the combined value was $7.5 million compared to $14.3
million for the same month last year when a large permit was issued for
the expansion of Quinn's Oilfield Supply.
City and Regional Housing Sales Up Over
Last Year
The Central Alberta Realtors
Association reports that regional housing sales through MLS were up by
23% in June. In Red Deer, 170 housing units sold compared to 133 in June
2010, up 28%. In the region around the city, 213 housing units sold, up
18%. Year to date, 819 units were sold in Red Deer compared to 760 a
year earlier, and in the region, 1,070 units sold compared to 907. The
number of listings was down. The average selling price in June for homes
in Red Deer was slightly over $290,000, up by over $2,000 from a year
earlier. In the region outside the city, the average selling price in
June was over $263,000, up by $14,000.
Dickson Recreation Centre to be Expanded
Red Deer County has approved the spending of over $600,000 to upgrade
and expand the county-owned Dickson Jubilee Recreation Centre about 3 km
south of Spruce View. The arena ceiling will be repaired and upgraded.
The almost 2,000 sq. ft. addition will house handicapped-accessible
washrooms and two dressing rooms. Spruce View and District Agricultural
Society is contributing $276,000 toward the project and will donate
volunteer time and other donations in kind.
Delburne Planning New Recreation Park
The Village of Delburne is planning a new $296,000 recreation park next
to the community's popular spray park that will include a playground,
asphalt sports court, sand court, outdoor fitness area and green space.
The Village has committed $108,000 to the project and Red Deer County is
donating another $50,000. Other sources of funding is being explored.
July 5, 2011
Blackfalds Grows 14% in 2 Years
The 2011 population of the town of Blackfalds has risen to 6,339, up 14%
from the 5,610 people recorded in the last municipal census conducted in
2009. One of Alberta's fastest growing communities, the town's
population in 2006 was 4,571 and in 2001 was 3,116. As the number of
people increases, the town is in the process of planning for new roads,
recreational facilities and other infrastructure.
July 2, 2011
Red Deer Celebrates Canada Day
A crowd of several thousands packed Bower Ponds yesterday for Red Deer's
41st Canada Day celebration arranged by the Red Deer Cultural Heritage
Society. A variety of musicians and cultural dancers entertained the
crowd from the outdoor stage throughout the day. Other attractions
included international food booths, a birthday cake, various activities
for kids and paddle boats on the ponds. The day finished with fireworks.
In the society's early years, it was referred to as the Red Deer
International Folk Festival.
July 1, 2011
Residential Grave Markers Presented to
Museum
Four weather-beaten and partially rotted wooden grave markers, recovered
from an abandoned cemetery at the site of the former Red Deer Industrial
School across the river from Fort Normandeau, were presented to the Red
Deer Museum and Art Gallery as part of a special ceremony yesterday.
Four teenagers, who were children of their aboriginal ancestors buried
at the residential school between 1893 and 1919, carried the markers
through Heritage Square before their donation to the museum.
Green Deer Campaign Attracts Record
Volunteers
This year, the annual Green Deer Campaign attracted over 5,000
registered participants, 1,000 more than last year and the largest
turnout since the spring litter cleanup started 8 years ago. The Red
Deer Recreation, Parks and Culture department developed this year's
theme - "leave it better than you found it". The Red Deer River cleanup
portion of the campaign was postponed to the fall due to safety concerns
with the river's high water level.
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