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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
September 2011 Part 2
Sept. 30, 2011
Transit Ridership Increases on World Car
Free Day
Red Deer Transit reports that ridership was up 9.7% on Wednesday
compared to the same day the previous week as a result of the free fare
promotion on World Car Free Day. Total boardings were 14,736 compared to
13,108 the previous Wednesday.
Sept. 29, 2011
Gasoline Alley Holiday Inn Opens
The new 5-storey, $18-million Holiday Inn & Suites Red Deer South is
opening Monday on the east side of Gasoline Alley along Highway 2 south
of the city. The hotel has 114 units, including 24 suites with separate
living rooms. Amenities include a pool with a waterslide and hot tub, a
fitness centre and a boardroom. There is also a 7,000 sq. ft. ballroom
that was built without pillars and has a fountain in the foyer. The head
chef has been a gold and silver medalist in international culinary.
Sept. 28, 2011
Red Deer Air Among
World's Cleanest
According to a World Health Organization report which compared air
quality in 1,100 cities in 91 countries, Red Deer has some of the best
air in the world. Canada and Australia tied for third place for
countries as a whole having the purest air. Of the 9 cities of Alberta
included in the report, Red Deer tied with Lethbridge, Edson and Grande
Prairie for 2nd place at 7 micrograms of PM10 (particles less than 10
micrograms in diameter) while Medicine Hat was first. Whitehorse, Yukon
was found to be the least polluted city in the world.
College Arts Centre Celebrates 25 Years
The Red Deer College Arts Centre is celebrating its 25th anniversary
during the upcoming Alberta Arts Days. Officially opened on Oct. 17,
1986, the facility houses the college theatre, music and motion picture
programs as well as the Conservatory of Music and Dance. More than
40,000 actors, technicians, musicians, filmmakers and dancers have
trained at the facility over the past quarter century. The Red Deer
Symphony Orchestra uses the centre as its base.
Sept. 27, 2011
Chamber President Optimistic on Economy
The incoming president of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, Maureen
McMurtrie, is predicting that the local economy will continue to
strengthen in spite of concerns over the financial challenges in the
U.S. and Europe. Both energy and agriculture are showing signs of
recovery. As a senior commercial relationship manager at Servus Credit
Union, she sees financial statements much better than they were two
years ago. Chamber membership currently stands at 985.
Lake Development Conditionally Approved
Lacombe County has approved the concept plan, development agreement and
rezoning of 95 acres on Sylvan Lake north of the Summer Village of
Sunbreaker Cove for the 59-lot Palm Cove project but some outstanding
issues need to be resolved. The most significant is that more public
consultation is required on a proposed boat launch, public access to the
lake and the environmental impact of each. The development will feature
an extensive trail system, interpretive programs, beach and a marina. It
is hoped that the first lots will be available late next summer.
Sept. 26, 2011
Terry Fox Statues Cast by Red Deer Area
Foundry
Four bronze statues gradually increasing in size showing Terry Fox
running, unveiled recently at B.C. Place in Vancouver, were cast by
Harman Sculpture Foundry southwest of Red Deer along the C&E Trail. The
statues were designed by artist/novelist Douglas Coupland, moulds made
in Calgary, the statues cast at Harman's and sent to Vancouver. Icon
Terry Fox was forced to abandon his Marathon of Hope in 1980 when he
succumbed to cancer.
Sept. 24, 2011
Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Gets Historic
Status
The Lacombe and District Historical Society is celebrating the
designation of the Lacombe Blacksmith Shop as a provincial historic
resource with demonstrations, music and refreshments. Lacombe has
restored a number of local historic sites with help from the provincial
Municipal Heritage and Alberta Main Street programs through the Historic
Resources Management branch of the Department of Culture and Community
Spirit. Opened in 1902, the blacksmith shop was the last to survive of 8
that once operated in Lacombe. It is also the only one in Alberta still
in its original location. Adding welding in the 1950s, the shop closed
in 1987. It was purchased by the society in 1991 and was opened as a
museum in 1994.
Penhold Regional High School May Modify
Grades
A new junior-senior high school approved for construction in Penhold by
2014 may not have the senior grades at first. Rather than grades 7 to
12, the new school may start with grades 6 to 9 adding higher grades
later. The Chinook's Edge School Division believes that a quality high
school with diverse programming needs at least 75 students per grade.
Population growth in Penhold and area is expected to provide that
enrolment over the next few years. After some consultation with parents
and the public, the board will make a decision early in the new year.
Red Deer Hotel Group Plans to Raise
City's Profile
A group of 10 Red Deer area hotels, called the Red Deer Destination
Marketing Fund Committee representing nearly half of the guest rooms in
the city, is working toward attracting visitors and tourism dollars to
Red Deer. Currently, hotels account for 18% of direct visitor spending,
compared to 23-25% in other cities. The marketing fund has received
$75,000 from the city and $40,000 from the county in addition to the
$200,000 raised by the hotels. The strategic plan includes marketing
initiatives, packages and special offers, trade show displays and
collaborating with other businesses and organizations.
Sept. 23, 2011
Cenotaph
Rededicated at Veterans Park Opening
The Cenotaph on Ross Street, erected in 1922 to honour the 430 soldiers
from Red Deer who died in service during the First World War, was
rededicated yesterday as part of the opening of the new Veterans Park.
The plaza, built over the past year at a cost of $1.3 million, features
historical panels with the Cenotaph as its centrepiece. Over the years,
there have been many calls for the relocation of the statue of the
unknown soldier from the middle of Ross Street but it has maintained its
location due to its historical significance and the fact that the statue
faces the railway station at the end of the street where soldiers
boarded trains on their way to war.
Walkability Roadshow Includes Walking
Tours
As part of the Alberta Walkability Roadshow in Red Deer, international
experts and city staff walked several areas of the city to see how easy
or difficult walking as a mode of transportation can be. The event
included a stakeholder meeting, public workshop and evening public
presentation. The experts were impressed by the city's commitment to
improve pedestrian access, especially downtown and with the trail
system, but some intersections are very challenging for pedestrians as
are some bus stops. Input from the event will be included in the
Integrated Movement Study that is currently exploring all forms of
transportation.
Sept. 22, 2011
Economic Development Project Recognized
Central Alberta: Access Prosperity, a collaboration between Red Deer
Regional Economic Development (RDRED) and Central Alberta Economic
Partnership (CAEP) has received an Excellence in Economic Development
award for its foreign direct investment project and brochure in the
Regionalism & Cross-Border Promotion category by the International
Economic Development Council at its annual conference in North Carolina.
The collaborative project was recognized for its use of innovative and
effective practices that can be replicated in other communities and was
developed to help diversify and stabilize the Central Alberta economy.
First Catholic School in Olds Opens
The $6.1 million pre-kindergarten to Grade 7 Holy Trinity Catholic
School has now officially opened in Olds. Parents of the area started
the groundwork in 2000 for the community's first Catholic school with
funding in place by 2008 and construction started in February 2010.
Dignitaries included outgoing Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach.
Multi-Family Housing Project
Nixed by
Residents
The Red Deer municipal planning commission has rejected a proposed
multi-family development in the Vanier Woods neighbourhood on the
southeast side of the city primarily due to the strong opposition of
area residents. Two 4-storey buildings with a total of 94 units and
three townhouse buildings were being proposed. Density, height and
traffic were cited as objectionable. In March 2008, the commission had
approved a 141-unit multi-family building on the same site but work
never commenced due to the economic downturn.
Sept. 21, 2011
Changes to City and
County Plan Anticipated
The City of Red Deer and Red Deer County are working toward changes in
the 10-year Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) adopted in July 2007.
Both municipalities are considering the elimination of an expiry date
and revisiting the schedule for annexation. The plan had called for the
city to more than double its current footprint by 2017 with the
annexation of 234 quarter sections of land in order to accommodate a
future population of 300,000 (the current population is around 92,000).
Due to slower than anticipated growth, neither municipality sees a
benefit in keeping the schedule. A formula for future annexation is
being explored. Two annexations have been undertaken since the plan was
adopted, one of which added 55 quarter sections to the city. Both
municipalities are also looking at creating a better system for letting
the public know about joint planning initiatives. A public consultation
and hearing process will be undertaken before any amendments are passed.
Ronald McDonald House to Open in February
A public open house for the new Ronald McDonald House is scheduled for
February 4, 2012. The facility will open to families with critically-ill
babies, sick children and high-risk pregnancies being treated at the
hospital on Feb. 27. Construction began last year on the 11-suite house
along Gaetz Avenue near the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. About 400
families a year are expected to use the home. Exterior work is almost
complete.
Lacombe County to Propose
Recreation Plan
Lacombe County staff will be bringing to council in November a proposed
parks, recreation and open space plan for the area around Sylvan Lake
where several new developments are planned or proposed over the next few
years. The plan may require developments within 1.6 km of the lakeshore
to provide higher end amenities such as beaches, boat launches, marinas,
spray parks or regional ice rinks. Developments beyond 1.6 km may have
less elaborate requirements such as basketball and tennis courts, picnic
areas and local ice rinks. Developers would be able to choose, in
consultation with the county, what features they would build. A more
comprehensive county-wide recreation, parks and open spaces plan is
anticipated in a couple of years.
Sept. 20, 2011
Red Deer
Museum Gets Million Dollar City Boost
Red Deer city council has agreed to donate $1 million to the Red Deer
Museum and Art Gallery for a permanent historical exhibit to be ready by
March 2013, the year of the city's centennial. Ten themes will make up
the 3,500 sq. ft. interactive exhibit ranging from changing landscapes
to educational leaders to cultural activities. The funds will come from
the city's capital reserve.
Red Deer Centennial Committee Gets City
Grant
The Red Deer centennial steering committee has been approved for a city
grant totaling $250,000 -- $110,000 in 2012 and $140,000 in 2013 -- to
be used for hiring a co-ordinator and planning a variety of activities
during 2013, the 100th anniversary of Red Deer being incorporated as a
city. The celebration is being spearheaded by the Central Alberta
Historical Society.
Lacombe's Twinning With
Japanese City
Marked
A traditional Japanese gate (torii) has been created in Bruns Pond Park
in Lacombe to celebrate the 25 years of the twinning of the city and
Rikubetsu, Japan. A delegation of 15 junior high school students and 3
chaperones from the northern Japanese city were on hand for the
commemoration. A local group of about 20 students were to make a trip to
Japan this year but has been postponed to 2012 due to the earthquake and
tsunami in that country. The Lacombe and District Rikubetsu Friendship
Society was formed in 1991 to continue fostering a connection between
the sister cities, a relationship established in 1986.
Sept. 19, 2011
Cyclists Applaud City Bike Lane Pilot
Project
A parade of about 100 cyclists rode from West Park to the Red Deer
Market on Saturday to celebrate bicycle culture and raise awareness
about bicycle commuting. The cyclists applauded the city's modest bike
lane pilot project in spite of the fact the four routes are short and
don't connect. They are considered a move forward in increasing both
safety and awareness. More bike lanes are expected next year.
Sept. 17, 2011
Study Finds Red Deer
Industrial Market Healthy
A recent study on the industrial building market in and adjacent to Red
Deer shows that the local vacancy rate for industrial buildings is a
healthy under 3.6% and there is plenty of land ready for development.
Over 11 million square feet of industrial space in 15 districts were
occupied in June and July compared to less than half a million square
feet vacant. There were 645 acres spread out over 177 parcels including
148 acres in Burnt Lake Business Park and 102 acres in Clearview
Industrial Park, both in Red Deer County. The study did not include the
new city-owned Queens Business Park west of Highway 2 as it has not yet
been subdivided nor industrial land in nearby communities.
Sept. 16, 2011
Red Deer Transit Gets GreenTrip Funding
A $12.1 million provincial Green Transit Incentives Program (GreenTrip)
grant has been announced that will roll out 40 new low-floor,
clean-diesel Red Deer Transit buses over the next 5 years. The funding
will help replace 17 outdated buses and acquire 23 buses for upgraded
service. The funding represents two-thirds of the cost of the buses with
the city providing the remainder. Some of the buses have already been
acquired. The city currently has a fleet of 51 public transit buses
which will increase to 74 by 2015. The average number of passengers per
hour per bus is 29.
Rochon Sands Loses Annexation Bid
The provincial Municipal Government Board has rejected a bid from the
Summer Village of Rochon Sands to annex 454 acres from the County of
Stettler. The report to the minister indicated that the proposed
annexation would put the summer village on shaky financial ground due to
the compensation that would be required to the county. The village
argued that it needs the land for future growth.
MicroSociety Program Gets Corporate Grant
The Youth Advisory Board of State Farm has donated a grant of $68,725 to
the MicroSociety program at Aspen Heights Elementary School. The program
runs like a country with an elected government where students run banks,
businesses, police, postal services and other civic organizations. The
grant will be used to purchase new technology including iPods, iPads,
supplies and professional development by visiting actual businesses.
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