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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
December 2011 Part 2
Dec. 30, 2011
Rocky Mountain House Adopts Historic
Fort Brand
Town council at Rocky Mountain House has adopted a historic fort theme
as a brand to attract more tourists. Architectural guidelines will
encourage businesses and developers to use rustic elements in their
design in recognition of the town's proximity to the foundations of four
former Hudson's Bay and Northwest Company fur trade forts between 1799
and 1875 at the National Historic Site. River rock, field stone, timber,
wooden siding, cedar shakes and cross-beams with stucco and siding are
being suggested. Although there was a settlement at the forts, the town
itself became established in 1912, in large part due to the arrival of
the railway. During the fort days, nine different Aboriginal cultures
came to trade. It was also home base for the explorer, fur trader and
map-maker David Thompson.
Dec. 28, 2011
Mayor Wants High
Speed Rail Tied to Transit
Red Deer Mayor Morris Flewwelling is suggesting that the mayors of
Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer should meet with Premier Redford to
discuss the issue of high speed rail linking the three communities and
GreenTrip funding originally set up to fund regional and urban public
transit systems. It has recently been suggested that GreenTrip funding
could be diverted to building high speed rail. Although the mayor is an
advocate of high speed rail, he believes that it will only work if it is
connected to an efficient and effective urban and regional transit
network that needs to be in place first and that it will require
provincial and federal funding. The mayor would also like to see the
future high speed terminal located closer to downtown rather than west
of Highway 2 as is currently contemplated. A provincial study released
in 2009 suggested five stops on a future line -- two in each of the
larger centres and one in Red Deer. It also explored various
technologies ranging from under 200 km/h to 480 km/h.
Dec. 27, 2011
Ronald McDonald
House 80% Complete
The $12 million Ronald McDonald House under construction across from the
Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and backing onto Gaetz Avenue is now
80% complete and is on target to open in February as expected. The
multi-coloured 3-storey, 27,000 sq. ft., 11-suite building is expected
to affordably accommodate about 400 families per year from out of the
city during treatment of critically ill babies, sick children and high
risk pregnancies. The facility includes large kitchen, large library,
barbecue pit, themed indoor play area, outdoor playground, laundry room,
nursing rooms, gathering space and a balcony that overlooks the park
across Gaetz Avenue. Financial donations came from individuals, groups,
various fundraisers, corporations, the province and Ronald McDonald
Charities. Over 100 volunteers have already signed up to perform various
duties in the facility. Operation of the facility is expected to cost
$1.2 million per year.
Dec. 23, 2011
Nordegg Minesite Receives Parks Canada Funding
Parks Canada recently announced that it is contributing one third of the
funds for a $187,500 restoration project at the old Brazeau Colleries
Minesite at the Nordegg National Historic Site. The Nordegg Historical
Society and the Alberta Historic Resources Fund each matched the
contribution. A restored log cabin dating back to 1913 had been used to
accommodate mine workers and later became the home of a junior manager.
The trail system will be modified to link to the cabin. The Nordegg mine
was in operation from 1912 to 1955. The site has 75 structures. Some
have already been restored and more will be restored in the future. The
Brazeau Colleries Minesite was declared a Provincial Historic Resource
in 1993.
City Downtown
Improvements to Continue
The City of Red Deer and the Downtown Business Association are
continuing to improve the historic downtown area to make it safer and
more attractive. The Facade and Shopfront Improvement Program will have
$40,000 to contribute with matching funds to businesses that improve the
look of their buildings. In addition, the City plans to complete the
Little Gaetz Revitalization Plan in 2012 that gives a streetscape
facelift to the historic street between 46th and 53rd Streets. The
section between 48th and 51st Streets was mostly done this past summer.
The revitalization includes paving stone crosswalks, mid-block
crossings, landscaping, cultural spaces, wider sidewalks, decorative
lighting, planters and architectural street markers.
Dec. 21, 2011
Blackfalds Passes Budget; Taxes Up 4.75%
Blackfalds town council has passed its 2012 operating and capital budget
of over $24 million that will result in an average 4.75% increase in
property taxes. Operating costs for 2012 are expected to be over $13
million, up from last year, while capital expenses are anticipated to be
$3 million lower than last year at $11 million. Incremental tax
increases will boost the town's ability to plan for major projects in
the future. The town has grown from 4800 in 2007 to 6400 in 2011
resulting in an increase in expectations for future amenities and
services.
Lacombe County Taxes to Rise 3-3.5%
Lacombe County council has passed
its 2012 operating budget of $39 million and capital budget of $17.5
million, resulting in an average tax increase of 3% for residential
properties and 3.5% for farm properties. Capital projects include road
and drainage improvements, a new fire hall in Bentley and a Blackfalds
to Lacombe pedestrian and bicycle trail.
Red Deer County Passes 2012 Budget
Red Deer County council has passed its $35.5 million operating and $38
million capital budgets for 2012 resulting in an average 3.5% increase
in property taxes. The capital budget includes $12 million carried over
from 2011 construction projects that could not be completed due to poor
weather conditions. Other aspects of the capital budget include $7
million for bridge work, $6 million for paving and $18 million for other
road projects.
Rural Business Centre to be Located in
Rocky
The provincial government has announced that it will set up a Rural
Alberta Business Centre in Rocky Mountain House to help support new
entrepreneurs by providing access to business information and advice,
research services and seminars and workshops. Seven similar centres will
be set up throughout the province.
Dec. 20, 2011
Attendance Record at November Festival of
Trees
A record of about 23,700 people attended the 18th annual Festival of
Trees that took place at Westerner Park in November, almost double the
attendance at last year's event. The previous record was set in 2007
with an attendance of around 22,000. This year, $1,020,000 was raised
that will go toward enhancing equipment and services for the Minimally
Invasive Surgery Department at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
The record amount collected was in 2007 when $1.1 million. Last year,
$875,000 was raised. About 2,800 volunteers, 516 donors and more than
1,500 volunteer entertainers contributed to the event.
Tour Bus Set Up for Parties
A new business in Red Deer involves a black and green 1993 International
school bus set up with a 3.7-metre dance floor, 2000-watt sound system,
LED strobe lighting, tinted glass and booth-style seating. The 40-person
capacity bus has been used for trips by sports teams and bands as well
as for birthday parties, themed road tours and various other events.
Bash Bus Tours charges $800 for 3 hours use.
Province Contributes to Olds
Affordable
Housing
The provincial government, as part of the Affordable Supportive Living
Initiative, is contributing $5.3 million toward 60 more level four
supportive care beds for seniors as part of the 100-unit Vantage West
project. Olds currently has 230 supportive living beds.
Dec. 19, 2011
Sylvan Lake Store Closes After 83 Years
Cobb's, an independent grocery store that has been doing business in
downtown Sylvan Lake for 83 years, is closing its doors as it can no
longer compete with the big box stores that have opened up in recent
years in spite of earning several grocery awards from the Canadian
Federation of Independent Grocers. When the current owners, Don and Rita
Gummo, bought the store in 1999, there was little competition. However
in recent years, the fast-growing community of 11,000 has attracted four
large competitors, Sobeys, No Frills, Wal-Mart and Shoppers Drug Mart.
The store was named after A.F. Cobb, who purchased what was then a Co-op
grocery and dry goods business in 1928.
Dec. 17, 2011
Penhold Residential Development Nears
Record
By the end of November, housing permits in the town of Penhold, with a
current population of around 2100, were just shy of breaking a record
with 61 homes valued at $9.7 million. The previous record was set in
2007 at $10.3 million. The growth is attributed to the town's proximity
to Red Deer and Innisfail, the attractiveness of small town living, the
new regional multiplex and a new regional high school expected to be
completed in 2014.
Dec. 16, 2011
Rebranded Capri Hotel as Sheraton Now
Official
The rebranding of the Capri Hotel and Convention Centre on Red Deer's
south hill that has been under way for some time into the Sheraton Red
Deer Hotel is now official. Extensive renovations costing about $10
million have included the addition of 24 rooms as well as the upgrading
of the existing 217 rooms. The lobby, fitness room and business centre
have also been upgraded. The previous owners, the Pasutto family, sold
the hotel in 2008.
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