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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
1
Sept. 15, 2011
Sierras of Michener Hill Seniors Condos
Open
The 52-unit first of a three phase seniors condominium complex called
Sierras of Michener Hill has now opened. The Medican project will be
joined by an enclosed walkway to Extendicare Michener Hill, a
publicly-funded, privately-operated long term care facility also built
by Medican. Condo owners have heated underground parking and amenities
that include a wood-working shop, exercise room, car-wash bay, games
room, hot tub and sauna. Work on the 40-unit second phase is under way
and the 56-unit third phase will proceed later.
College President Wants City's
Profile
Raised
Red Deer College president Noel Ward told a Red Deer Chamber of Commerce
luncheon that the profile of the city needs to be raised as many people
in the province have little knowledge about Red Deer with most people
travelling around the city along Highway 2 only seeing Gasoline Alley.
He also talked about future plans at the college including the ability
to grant degrees, a land use plan for the 300-acre campus to be revealed
in January and plans for the $110 million sport and wellness expansion.
New City Public School to be Built in
Timberlands
The Red Deer Public Schools board of trustees has decided to build a new
kindergarten to Grade 5 school in the Timberlands neighbourhood on the
northeast side of the city within 3 years. Other locations were
considered but the Timberlands site was determined to be the best site
to alleviate the pressure of future growth. It is one of four schools in
the area announced by the province for completion in 2014.
Sept. 14, 2011
Large Wetland
Protected Near Pine Lake
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has purchased a quarter section
containing a large wetland near Pine Lake adding to the 18 quarter
sections previously purchased by the group in the area. One of the
primary objectives is to protect the wetlands that are Pine Lake's
natural filtration system. Another is to preserve the surrounding
natural grasslands and parkland for waterfowl, wildlife and people. The
former Boote property is a diverse and abundant habitat for migratory
waterfowl, shorebirds and wildlife such as mule deer, coyotes, moose and
red-tailed hawks. The $500,000 sale was made possible through a federal
government grant and a donation from TransCanada Corp.
Sept. 13, 2011
Hotel Work Starts at Olds College
A horse-drawn plow broke ground recently for the multimillion dollar
Pomeroy Inn & Suites at Olds College. The 4-storey $13 million building
will have 83 suites, a 6,000 sq. ft. conference centre, a 200-seat
restaurant and lounge, exercise room and a swimming pool with water
slide as well as a 'teaching kitchen'. Integrating with other college
programs, a broad range of learning opportunities and practical
experience for students will result from the new facility. The hotel
will offer a key role in the college's new Canadian Institution for
Rural Entrepreneurship program that will focus on local food production,
rural hospitality management, farm food sales and tourism. The hotel
will generate income for the college as well as provide employment for
students. The project is expected to be completed in time for the
college's 100th anniversary in 2013.
Province Provides Disaster Recovery Funds
Five municipalities in Central Alberta -- the Counties of Ponoka,
Lacombe and Red Deer, the City of Lacombe and the Town of Eckville --
have received a commitment from the Alberta government of $3.5 million
for damages caused by the heavy rains and high winds of earlier this
summer. The cash covers uninsurable losses from severe flooding and a
small tornado in early July to homeowners, small businesses,
agricultural producers and municipalities.
Lacombe Skatepark Receives Provincial
Grant
The Lacombe skatepark committee has received a $125,000 Community
Facility Enhancement Program grant from the provincial government. The
funds will be used to pay back a loan from the City of Lacombe.
Construction on the $500,000 park began in July at Michener Park and is
expected to be completed by the end of October. The grand opening will
be held next spring.
Sept. 12, 2011
Red Deer Pauses to Reflect on
9/11
About 100 city and area residents including politicians and emergency
personnel in full uniform representing city firefighters, county
volunteer firefighters, RCMP, paramedics, emergency medical technicians
(EMTs) and air cadets paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the
line of duty during the tragic and shocking events of September 11, 2001
outside City Hall yesterday. The tribute also honoured emergency
personnel who died in the line of duty over the last year.
Innisfail Downtown Prepares for
Improvements
The newly-formed Innisfail Development Enhancement Association is
working toward brightening the downtown core in conjunction with planned
reconstruction of the main street that will include replacing
underground infrastructure. Although sidewalks will be maintained during
construction, the association members are looking at sprucing up back
alleys to make access to shops easier and creating several wall murals.
Weekend of Wheels, a new annual event to attract people downtown was
held over the past weekend. It featured all things automobile including
a street show and shine of vintage vehicles, old-fashioned drive-in
movies and a 100-foot racing shootout.
Sept. 10, 2011
Multi-Family Construction Boosts Housing
Starts
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) reports that in August there
were 102 residential starts in Red Deer, of which 74 were multi-family
units and 28 single-detached homes. In August 2010 there were 36 starts
of which 13 were multi-family and 23 single-detached. In July, there
were a total of 80 starts. Year to date, construction has started on 410
units, of which 190 were multi-family and 220 single-detached. In 2010
from January to August, there were a total of 435 starts, of which 169
were multi-family and 266 single-detached.
Sept. 8, 2011
New City Centre Stage
Opens Downtown
City Centre Stage in downtown Red Deer is now officially open after a
year of renovating a former movie theatre into a modern live stage
venue. The Central Alberta Theatre (CAT) upgrade project includes a
300-seat live theatre with a 16-metre-wide stage, a 107-seat smaller
theatre with a movie screen and a multi-purpose dining area. Thousands
of hours of volunteer work helped complete the project. Other groups are
already interested in the space, including the nearby Donald School of
Business and Ignition Theatre. Central Alberta Theatre has been in
existence for 42 years and operates the Memorial Centre as well. For
several years, CAT provided dinner theatre at the Black Knight Inn but
will now offer its productions at the new venue.
Activity in Area
Real Estate Exceeds Last Year
The Central Alberta Realtors Association reports that in August, 357
homes sold through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) of which 137 were
in the city and 220 in the outlying area representing a 18% increase
over the same month in 2010. Year to date, 2,656 homes were sold
including 1,106 in Red Deer and 1,550 in the surrounding area,
representing a 21% increase. The average selling price in the city was
slightly over $267,000 in the city compared to over $291,000 in July and
almost $317,000 in August 2010. In the rural area, the average selling
price was close to $243,000 compared to $244,000 in July and over
$171,000 in August 2010. The averages include homes of all types and can
vary significantly from month to month.
Red Deer College Maintains
Enrolment
About 7,500 students, of which close to 3,400 are in their first year,
have enrolled for full-time or part-time programs at Red Deer College
this year, close to the same number last year. The college is looking
forward to new programs including degree opportunities in the future. In
addition, the college is opening its downtown campus with the Donald
School of Business in the Millennium Centre at which about 550 students
are enrolled as first and second year students. It is anticipated that a
new 4-year business degree will be announced this fall. Currently, Red
Deer College offers 75 regular programs plus 13 continuous education
programs.
Sept. 7, 2011
Taylor Drive Plan
Near Riverlands Raises Concerns
The Taylor Drive Concept Plan, designed to create better pedestrian and
vehicle routing west of downtown Red Deer in preparation for the
redevelopment of Riverlands, has raised some concerns from the business
community and at least one city councillor. The plan creates much better
access for pedestrians to the west side of the major arterial roadway
including a crossing at Alexander Way, a pedestrian-friendly street
running from the east side of downtown to Taylor Drive. However, vehicle
movements at the new intersection necessitate other changes in the area
that concern some local businesses. There is also some concern that a
complex reconfigured three-leg intersection improvement at Taylor Drive,
Ross Street, 49 Street and 54 Avenue could limit access to and from the
proposed redevelopment of the Railyards district north of the
intersection. City council will review the plan again in early October.
Council also gave first reading to the Riverlands Area Redevelopment
Plan which will go to a public hearing also early in October.
County and City Support Westerner
Float
Plan
Red Deer County council recently agreed to an annual contribution of
$6500 for six years for a new Westerner Park float to promote the
region. The Float Replacement Committee had asked for $15,000 per year.
Recently the City of Red Deer agreed to contribute $180,000 over 6 years
and Westerner Park will also contribute $180,000. The new
electric-powered float, which would have a fold-up stage, a sound system
and lights, would be used to promote the city for two years, Westerner
Park for two years and the county for one year at around 20 events per
summer including the Calgary Stampede and Edmonton Capital Ex.
Lufkin Buys Quinn's Oilfield Supply
Texas-based Lufkin Industries has purchased Red Deer-based Quinn's
Oilfield Supply for over $300 million. Quinn's was founded by Jim Quinn
in 1965 as an oilfield pump shop eventually expanding to fabricate parts
and went on to become the largest Canadian manufacturer of reciprocating
rod pumps with 51 service locations in Canada and the U.S. Lufkin also
recently purchased Red Deer-based Pentagon Optimization Services, a
provider of plunger lift systems and well engineering and testing.
Boardwalks Planned For Two City Natural
Areas
The City of Red Deer is planning the construction of boardwalks in two
natural areas on the west side of the city this winter. One area is a
wetland in the second phase of upgrades to Maskepetoon Park, a large
natural area along the Red Deer River east of Highway 2 which contains
the most easterly fens of tamarack trees in Alberta. The first phase
completed last year included a couple of pedestrian bridges, trails and
staircase. The other area is a wetland between the residential
neighbourhood of Westlake and Highway 2.
City Building Permit Values Up Over Last
Year
Year to date at the end of August, building permits issued by the City
of Red Deer reached $115.2 million compared to $78.6 million for the
same period last year. The value of commercial work has jumped to $40.6
million from $10.7 million, public work to $16.8 million from $8.2
million, residential work to $51.3 million from $50.5 million.
Industrial work was down to $6.5 million from $9.2 million. In August,
permits valued at $26.9 million included $16.5 million of the $46
million Central Alberta Cancer Centre and $1.1 million for a new CIBC
branch at Clearview Market Square on the east side of the city. It also
included $6.5 million for residential construction.
Catholic Education Shows Largest Gain in
5 Years
The Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools is reporting that there are more
than 700 additional students in the district's 17 schools this year over
last, representing a 5.4% increase, the largest in 5 years. A 1 to 2%
increase was anticipated. The division ended off last year with 6,250
students and had 6,586 students during the first week of September.
Sept. 6, 2011
First Ponoka Country Music Festival
Successful
About 6,000 country music fans attended the first annual Summer Send Off
Music Festival over the Labour Day weekend at the Ponoka Stampede
Grounds. The Ponoka Stampede Association partnered with Big Air
Entertainment to put on the show that featured several country music
acts.
Sept. 3, 2011
Council to Review
Riverlands Redevelopment Plan
Red Deer city council will soon be reviewing the proposed 2011
Riverlands Area Redevelopment Plan and may approve first reading in
order to generate a public hearing in early October. The area is west of
downtown between Taylor Drive, the Red Deer River and the West Park
neighbourhood. The plan would replace an existing plan adopted ten years
ago but with extensive changes as a result of the Greater Downtown
Action Plan adopted in early 2009. The plan includes mixed use medium
density housing and commercial, hotel and convention centre,
entertainment and restaurant areas, arts and culture venues, public
gathering areas including a public market, walkable connections to the
river and a civic plaza with a pedestrian bridge across the river. A
complimentary Taylor Drive study addresses increased vehicle and
pedestrian access between the area and downtown. It is anticipated that
about 2500 people will live in Riverlands by 2031.
Modernization of Ponoka High School Opens
The first stage of a major modernization and renovation of Ponoka
Composite High School is now ready for students. Classrooms have been
opened up, new learning pods created and hallways removed to give the
east side of the school a 21st century facelift. The project started in
2010 with $11 million infusion from the provincial government. The
second phase on the west side of the school, expected to be completed in
2012, will include a science/math park, new cosmetology lab, new special
education classroom and new student gathering spaces. The third phase
will upgrade the gymnasium, add a fine arts theatre and introduce a new
Career and Technologies Studies area.
Sept. 2, 2011
Sylvan Lake Water Level Highest in
Decades
The Town of Sylvan Lake is asking the province to take urgent steps to
halt erosion along the lake's shoreline resulting from the water level
being the highest since records began in 1955. A retaining wall built to
separate the grassy picnic area from the sandy beach is now acting as a
dyke. Although water levels are considered cyclical, it could be several
years before water levels return to lower levels. There are concerns
that erosion will not only affect the wall and shoreline but the soil
behind the wall.
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