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City of Red Deer

City Council looking to extend Safe Harbour Society’s temporary homeless shelter

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Rezoning extension application received for temporary shelter

City Council will consider first reading of a Land Use Bylaw Amendment on Monday, that if approved, will enable the temporary shelter to continue operating in its current location. Consideration of the amendment comes after Safe Harbour Society, the organization who operates the shelter, applied to The City to extend the zoning.  If approved, the Land Use Bylaw Amendment would allow shelter use within the Direct Control 28 District as a discretionary use.

The application will go through the standard rezoning process, which includes first reading during the regular Council meeting on October 30, followed by a Public Hearing and second and third reading. Specific dates will be advertised once determined. For more information about the process, please see the Process for Continued Operation of Temporary Shelter graphic (pdf).

Currently, the temporary shelter is permitted to operate at its current location at Cannery Row (5239 53 Avenue) (pdf) until February 1, 2024.

This extension was approved by Council in January 2022 through the following items:

  • Land Use Bylaw extension with an amendment
  • Development Permit
  • Business License conditions

As part of the Public Hearing, property owners in Direct Control (DC) 28, and adjacent landowners, will be contacted by letter to give them an opportunity to provide feedback for Council’s consideration. Members of the public will also be invited to provide feedback. Details on how to participate in the Public Hearing will be provided following approval of first reading.

“There are many moving parts when it comes to housing and shelter in our community,” said General Manager of Community Services, Sarah Tittemore. “While we continue to work with the Province of Alberta to site and develop a future permanent shelter, the temporary shelter plays an important role in meeting the needs of people experiencing homelessness in our community.”

The City of Red Deer is currently working with the Province of Alberta, and a private landowner to explore the viability of a potential future permanent shelter site; however, it is still early in this process, and at this time, The City is not prepared to disclose the location to protect the land negotiation process, any rezoning processes that might arise, and associated confidentiality per its agreement with a private landowner.

The Red Deer Community Housing and Homelessness Integrated 5 Year Plan identifies an ongoing need for emergency housing in our community.

For more information about the temporary or permanent shelter, please visit reddeer.ca/shelter.

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City of Red Deer

City holding Garage Sale to clear Kinex Arena ahead of demolition

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Puck boards, appliances, score boards and more up for grabs in advance of Kinex Arena demolition

After years of memories made at the Kinex Arena, the community will have one last chance to say goodbye to the facility during a garage sale this Saturday, and maybe even take home a piece of its history. The Kinex Arena, which has provided thousands of Red Deerians a place to enjoy sports and recreation events since 1967, will be demolished this summer.

“It’s bittersweet for our team and our community, saying goodbye to such a prominent recreation facility in our community; but it has reached the end of its lifespan,” said Curtis Martinek, Facilities & Asset Management Superintendent. “Demolition will begin later this summer and be completed by August. Prior to any actual demo, all hazardous materials need to be removed and disposed of safely and in accordance with all regulations”.

The land on which the facility currently sits will become additional green space in Barret Park. The Parking lot will remain for users of this park as well as overflow for large events at Servus Arena and the Pidherney’s Centre.

Some of the larger items from the arena such as rink glass, boards and dehumidifiers were sold to other communities throughout Alberta to be repurposed. The remaining items will be available at the garage sale this weekend; some of the items for sale include display cabinets, score clocks, shelving units, puck board, hockey nets, appliances and chairs.

Event:              Kinex Arena Garage Sale

Date:               Saturday, May 11, 2024

Time:               10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location:         Kinex Arena, 4725 A – 43 Street

All funds generated through the garage sale will go back into Recreation’s general revenue account.

Facebook Event has been set up to share information and images about this weekend’s garage sale. For more information on the demolition, please visit reddeer.ca/Kinex.

FAQ’s

What will happen with the land where the Kinex Arena is located?

The footprint of the facility will become additional green space in Barret Park. The Parking lot will remain for users of this park as well as overflow for large events at Servus Arena and the Pidherney Centre.

What items will be sold at the garage sale on May 11?

The following is a list of some of the items available to purchase at the garage sale. Pricing for the items will be available at the event. A Facebook event has been created where we will share images of items in advance of the event.

  • Puck board
  • Hockey nets
  • Appliances such as a fridge, stoves, heaters, furnace
  • Chairs
  • Display cabinets and shelving units
  • Commercial waste disposal containers
  • Paper towel dispensers
  • Rolltop doors
What form of payment will be accepted at the garage sale?

During the May 11 garage sale at the Kinex Arena, cash is the only form of payment that will be accepted.

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City of Red Deer

Rebate programs launch again in Red Deer

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Red Deer residents who purchase and install a rain barrel, drought-tolerant plants, permeable mulch or a low-flow toilet may qualify for a rebate on their City utility bill.

Alberta is experiencing drought in many parts of the province due to a below average snowpack in winter 2022-23, these rebate programs help Red Deerians conserve water usage in their homes and on their property at a time when water conservation is top of mind for many. The province is currently in water shortage management stage 4 (out of 5) and multiple water management areas are impacted by water shortage.

Participants in the programs could see a reduction in water usage in their homes as well as time and money as yards and gardens require less watering and fertilizer.

Specific details vary per rebate, but each program is open to Red Deer residents who have a City of Red Deer utility account.

Plant and Mulch Rebates are open for qualifying residents who purchase and install qualifying plants and/or permeable mulch in 2024. There is one rebate available for 50% of the cost of plants up to $50 and one rebate available for 50% of the cost of mulch up to $50.

The Rain Barrel Rebate program is open for residents who purchase and install a new rain barrel in 2024. The rebate is for 50% of the cost of the rain barrel up to $50. To encourage residents to participate in the program, this rebate has been expanded for 2024. Participants who received one rain barrel rebate in past years are welcome to apply for one additional rebate. Maximum of two rebates per utility account for the lifetime of that utility account.

Toilet Rebate is available for residents who replace a high-flow toilet with a low-flow model. Two $25 rebates are available per utility account. People who have participated in this program in previous years are not eligible to receive another rebate.

These rebate programs support the water-related goals in The City’s Environmental Master Plan by reducing Red Deerians water use and increasing water conservation efforts. More information on how you can conserve water can be found at reddeer.ca/drought.

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