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City of Red Deer

City has to close all recreation facilities

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From the City of Red Deer

City of Red Deer closes recreation and culture facilities amidst COVID-19

All City of Red Deer operated recreation and culture facilities will temporarily close to the public to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) effective at closing time of each facility today, Sunday, March 15, 2020.The decision was made in alignment with Alberta Health’s recommendation to cancel all K-12 and post-secondary classes in the province and to promote social distancing and minimize the potential spread of COVID-19. There are no confirmed cases of the virus in Red Deer, according to Alberta Health Services, and the risk to residents remains low.

City facilities affected by the temporarily closures include:

  • Collicutt Centre
  • G.H. Dawe Community Centre
  • Recreation Centre
  • Michener Aquatic Centre
  • Servus Arena
  • Kinsmen Community Arenas
  • Kinex Arena
  • Setters Place at Great Chief Park
  • Intermediate School Site (Culture Services Centre)
  • All leased spaces within City operated recreation and culture facilities including food vendors, retail stores, and private recreation providers, will be closed. This does not include those spaces that have an external public access (i.e. Red Deer Public Library GH Dawe branch, Exalta Gymnastics and Red Deer Minor Hockey Association office).

In addition, Red Deer’s Northside Community Centre closed to the public today, Sunday, March 15, 2020, under direction from The YMCA of Northern Alberta. The City is in communication and sharing information with contractors operating City facilities (including Heritage Ranch, Bower Ponds, Red Deer Museum & Art Gallery and neighbourhood activity centres), however business decisions remain with the individual operators.

“This was a difficult decision, but it’s in the best interest of our residents and City employees,” said Karen Mann, Emergency Operations Centre Director with The City of Red Deer. “While we don’t know how long these closures will last, we want to assure residents and staff that our first priority is, and always will be, your health and safety. We will continue to be guided by the province’s public health officials in taking actions to protect the public.”

Other measures being taken by The City at this time include:

  • Continued activation of The City of Red Deer Emergency Operations Centre
  • Continued activation of The City of Red Deer call centre daily from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. for residents to make non-emergency inquiries about City services and policies (403-342-8111)
  • Enhanced cleaning and janitorial services in high traffic areas
  • Mandatory 14-day isolation period for City employees who are symptomatic and/or have returned from international travel after March 12, 2020.
  • Notifying customers affected by program cancellations at City facilities including fitness classes, swimming lessons, educational and cultural courses and childminding minding services.
  • Revised cancellation policies for passes, programs and room rentals. Details are posted at www.reddeer.ca.

Security and staff will remain on site at the closed facilities to support the management of the city assets.

In addition, the following City facilities remain open to the public at this time, however with potentially amended service levels.

  • City Hall and Professional Building
  • Sorenson Station and Red Deer Transit service
  • RCMP detachments

“Our staff are the backbone of what we do at The City of Red Deer and we are dedicated to supporting them in this time of uncertainty,” said Allan Seabrooke, City Manager. “During the next several days, we will ask some employees to step outside their regular duties and provide support in other areas or departments to help with the increased workload COVID-19 has placed upon us.”

Residents are reminded not to attend City facilities or any public facilities if they are feeling ill. Call Alberta Healthlink at 8-1-1 for non-emergency health information about COVID-19 and 9-1-1 only in the case of a life-threatening emergency or crime in progress.

The COVID-19 outbreak remains a fluid situation and information can change quickly and often. The City of Red Deer is prepared to make additional changes to policies as required in order to keep residents safe and reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Residents are urged to visit the Alberta Health Services website at www.ahs.ca for the most up to date information.

“Dad, is the Coronavirus going to make humans extinct?” Time to talk to our children!

After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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City of Red Deer

Nominations are in for the by-election to replace beloved citizen and City Councillor Michael Dawe

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Nominations are in for the 2024 By-Election

The nominations are in for the historic By-Election that will take place in Red Deer on April 22, 2024.

“This is history in the making,” said Jessica Robinson, Returning Officer for The City of Red Deer. “For the first time, Red Deer residents will take to the polls to fill a vacant Councillor seat, and these 10 candidates have added their names on the ballot.”

The 10 candidates running for Councillor in the upcoming By-Election are:

  • BUCHANAN, S.H. (Buck)
  • CHILIBECK, Jason
  • COLLINGS, Mark
  • CULLEN-SAIK, Linda
  • HUIZING, Hans
  • KRAHN, Chad
  • MACDONALD, Ashley
  • MILANEY, Liam (The Level)
  • TWEEDLE, Jaelene
  • YZERMAN, Calvin

By-Election Day is Monday, April 22, 2024, with advance voting days on April 18, 19 and 20.

Residents are encouraged to visit elections.reddeer.ca for information about the Election including the full list of candidates, voting opportunities, and frequently asked questions.

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City of Red Deer

Land Use Bylaw changes to promote more housing options and more overlap between commercial, industrial and residential

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Public Hearing on updated Land Use Bylaw on April 15

At Monday’s regular City Council meeting, City Council passed first reading on the Land Use Bylaw, also known as the Zoning Bylaw, triggering a legislatively required public hearing to be held on April 15.

Notable proposed changes include:

  • Reducing 11 residential districts to 9 zones
  • Reducing 7 commercial districts to 6 zones
  • Reducing 5 industrial districts to 3 zones
  • More permitted uses in each zone
  • More gentle density options to provide increased housing options, including house suites, backyard suites, tiny homes, and duplexes
  • Increased building heights, that considers sightlines and privacy of existing dwellings
  • Greater flexibility for development applications
  • New regulations to gently transition existing neighbourhoods to maintain characte

A summary of all proposed changes can be viewed online at reddeer.ca/LUBreview.

Items not changing in the proposed Zoning Bylaw include:

  • Waskasoo and Woodlea Character Statements
  • Signage regulations
  • Any property with existing regulations

With the passing of first reading, the public is invited to provide additional input at the Public Hearing during the regular City Council meeting on April 15, 2024. Following the Public Hearing, City Council can consider additional amendments to the proposed bylaw.

“The changes won’t result in drastic changes to our cityscape overnight, but instead will lead to slow and gentle changes, including making development easier and allow for more permitted uses,” said Emily Damberger, Manager of City Planning & Growth. “We invite our public to read the proposed bylaw, including the summary of potential changes in advance of the Public Hearing on April 15.”

The proposed Land Use Bylaw or Zoning Bylaw can be viewed in its entirety on reddeer.ca/LUBreview.

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