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City of Red Deer

City of Red Deer loosens voting restrictions for October municipal election due to covid

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News release from the City of Red Deer

Vote Anywhere in the 2021 Election

Red Deer voters will be able to vote at any station across the City, both during Advanced Vote days and on Election Day in the 2021 Election.

The City of Red Deer is making changes to its election format in 2021 to increase accessibility and convenience for voters, and to ensure voting stations are safe for voters, staff and the general public, regardless of the state of the pandemic.

At the election, Red Deer voters will vote for one Mayor, eight Councillors, and either Public or Catholic School Trustees. Rather than dedicated neighbourhood voting stations, voters will be able to vote at any one of eight voting stations on Election Day, or one of three voting stations on any one of thirteen Advanced Vote days.

“Our Election planning typically starts about 18 months ahead of the Election, and at that time we were in the midst of the pandemic,” said Returning Officer Samantha Rodwell. “Recognizing the changing public health restrictions and the need to ensure space for physical distancing, we knew our traditional voting stations in smaller centres would not be feasible.”

Advanced Voting will be open for 13 days from October 4 to 16. On those days, voters can attend any one of three voting stations from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.:

  • Parkland Mall: 6359 50 Avenue
  • Baymont by Wyndham Red Deer: 4311 49 Avenue
  • Westerner Park: 4847A 19 Street

In addition, voters can choose to attend any one of eight voting stations open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, October 18:

  • Northside Community Centre (YMCA): 6391 76 Street
  • Radisson Hotel Red Deer: 6500 67 Street
  • Parkland Mall: 6359 50 Avenue
  • Joseph High School: 110, 2700 67 Street
  • Baymont by Wyndham Red Deer: 4311 49 Avenue
  • Cambridge Red Deer Hotel & Conference Centre: 3310 50 Avenue
  • Collicutt Centre: 3031 30 Avenue
  • Westerner Park: 4847A 19 Street

“Voters will have 39 opportunities to participate in the Advanced Vote and eight opportunities to vote on Election Day,” said Rodwell. “With voting stations being held at larger centres, and the increased number of opportunities, we are not only confident voters and staff will feel safe and secure, but we are also hopeful we will see an increase in voter turnout.”

Enhanced public safety measures will be in place to ensure safety of voters and staff: voting stations will have dedicated entrances and exits, enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures will be in place, and stations will be laid out to allow for proper physical distancing. Any potential masking requirements will be determined based upon public health guidelines and local bylaws in place at the time of the Election.

“In addition to allowing voters to vote at any station, we’re also providing more information to voters so they can make an informed decision,” said Rodwell. “Enhanced candidate profiles are already available on our website, offering more information about candidates, their priorities, and links to their personal platforms. Come Advanced Vote and Election days, we will also have a map with real-time updates about wait times at voting stations so voters can decide which station will work best for them.”

Nominations opened on January 1 and, as of June 15, 23 candidates have submitted their nomination papers for positions of Mayor, Councillor or School Board Trustee. The City will continue to accept nomination forms until September 20, 2021 at 12:00 noon.

Both the City of Red Deer and the City of Lethbridge are amending their election operations in 2021 to allow eligible voters to select their voting station and allow for enhanced safety measures during the pandemic.

Information about Red Deer’s 2021 Election, including a voting station map, a list of current candidates and their submitted profiles, is available online at elections.reddeer.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Corporate Communications
The City of Red Deer

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City of Red Deer

Mike Olesen, CEO of Westerner Park moving downtown to join The City of Red Deer

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Mike Olesen joins City of Red Deer leadership team

There is a new face at The City of Red Deer with Mike Olesen joining The City’s leadership team after four years as the Chief Executive Officer at Westerner Park. Olesen will be taking on the role of General Manager for The City of Red Deer on June 19, 2023.“It is difficult to leave Westerner Park as I believe it is a place of strong connection where I have had the unique opportunity to build community here in Red Deer. But I am also excited about the opportunity to work in local government and to have a different kind of impact in the city where I live and am raising my family,” said Olesen.Prior to working with Westerner Park, Olesen was the senior director for administration and workforce for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer. His past experiences include time in Retail Operations for Parkland Fuel Corporation, eleven years at Hockey Alberta in positions ranging from Senior Manager, Operations & Events to Assistant Executive Director, and he holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Royal Roads University.

“I have every confidence Mike will be an invaluable asset to our general management leadership team and to our organization. His drive to build community and the pride for our city aligns with the values of our organization where we put our citizens and businesses at the centre of what we do at The City,” said Lodewyk. “He will be meeting people and learning the many business lines at The City for the first few months as General Manager.  By mid-July he will begin his work leading specific departments.”

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City of Red Deer

Registration for Summer Day Camps and all summer programming begins on Tuesday, May 9

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Red Deerians can prepare to sign up for Summer Day Camps, summer swim lessons and more starting Tuesday, May 9.

New program options are viewable on My Activity Guide on Thursday, May 4, and registration will begin on Tuesday, May 9 at 12:00 noon.

Is your little swimmer ready to sail off to the not-so-salty seas of the G.H. Dawe Community Centre for Shipwrecked? Does your creative kid want to explore the colourful world of visual and performing arts at the Intermediate School? Or perhaps your sporty sprout is ready to take on Sports Extravaganza at the Collicutt Centre. All these camps, and so many more, are included in the summer registration session. Families are encouraged to register their children early to guarantee a spot. Day Camps aim to provide children with an opportunity to play, explore, create friendships and experience time in the pool and outdoors while providing families with quality childcare during summer break.

Summer Day Camps run from July 4 – August 30, 2023 and are available in week-long full or half day options. Additionally, 2-hour teen sport camps are new to the selection this summer. Red Deerians can review camp options now by visiting www.reddeer.ca/DayCamps or by picking up a paper copy of the guide at City arts & recreation facilities.

All other summer programs will also be available for registration beginning on Tuesday, May 9. Red Deerians can create their own custom Activity Guide to review all summer program options at www.reddeer.ca/MyActivityGuide. Programs are viewable in the same fashion as they were in the previously produced paper guide. Customers can create their own custom guide and select categories, age groups and locations relevant to them and their families.

Red Deerians are encouraged to visit their Look’ n Book accounts prior to registration day to ensure access is up to date. For any questions regarding account access please contact Recreation
at 403-309-8411.

Registration for summer programs begins at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9. There are three ways to register for City of Red Deer programs:

  • Online through My Activity Guide at reddeer.ca/MyActivityGuide
  • By phone: 403-309-8411
  • In person at Collicutt Centre, G.H. Dawe Community Centre, Recreation Centre or
    Michener Centre

To note, we have updated our system to serve our online registrants more efficiently. Confirmation emails will be sent within 24 hours in an effort to reduce the immediate load on our online systems.

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