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City of Red Deer

City reaching out to tax payers about location for permanent homeless shelter

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Public participation about permanent shelter site criteria approved

Within the next month, the community will have an opportunity to share their input on the site criteria for a future permanent shelter site. Council approved this direction during their Council meeting last night, following extensive conversations around formal roles and responsibilities and opportunity for collaboration outside a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the province.

“While site selection is not part of the formal agreement between The City and the Province, we believe that the Province will support a recommendation in good spirit as part of a shared responsibility to providing shelter services in our community,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “When citizens come to the table to discuss criteria, we ask that they come with an open mind. Consider all the factors in selecting a location, not just proximity to your home, your business, your property. The permanent shelter will not be what we currently have, it will be an integrated shelter for our vulnerable population to access services that will support them on their journey to permanent housing.”

Administration will begin a public participation strategy and begin implementation within the coming weeks. The resolution approved by Council outlined the following deadlines:

  • June 20, 2022: conduct timely, strategic, solution-focused community engagement about site criteria prior to this date. Inclusive of in-person and online opportunities to provide input to be promoted.
  • July 18, 2022: Council to agree to a location to recommend to the Province on or before this date.

“We are beginning public participation based on the understanding our community wants to help us to address shelter needs.  We are starting with a clean slate when it comes to actual location,” said Interim City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “We recognize that some citizens will want to propose specific locations but we want to dig deeper to understand why.  We will be asking further questions – why do they think that site is a good option, what does it have that would make it the right place and see how that aligns or builds upon the criteria we already have in place.”

In the coming weeks, The City will share public participation opportunities with the community through social media, local advertising, website updates and email notifications. If residents would like to be added to the email list for updates on the public participation and general permanent shelter information, please email [email protected]. More information about the permanent shelter process can be found at www.reddeer.ca/shelter.

City of Red Deer

Pop-up Spray Park Thursday at Ecole Oriole Park School (5 Oldbury St)

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Join Red Deer Emergency Services, RCMP and Municipal Enforcement and keep cool every Thursday in July and August.

Beat the Heat pop-up spray parks are once again returning to a neighbourhood near you this summer!

Red Deerians are invited to join Red Deer Emergency Services as they use fire engines to create temporary spray parks every Thursday evening throughout July and August.

Pop-up spray parks will run from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the following locations for summer 2024:

  • July 11 – Ecole Oriole Park School (5 Oldbury St)
  • July 18 – Fairview School Park (5901 55 St)
  • July 25 –  Dawson Park (140 Davison Dr)
  • August 1 – St. Elizabeth Seton School Park (35 Addinell Ave)
  • August 8 – Kentwood Disc Golf Park (168 Kendrew Dr)
  • August 15 – Joseph Welsh School Park (4401 37 Ave)
  • August 22 – Father Henri Voisin School Park (60 Clearview Dr)

Municipal Policing Services and Red Deer RCMP will also be joining to offer police vehicle tours, and local partners from Red Deer Child Care Society, Red Deer Food Bank, Central Alberta Crime Prevention Centre and community associations will be providing fun kid activities and treats.

Events are weather dependent and will not go ahead if weather warnings are in place. Please make sure to check The City’s social media pages each Thursday for updates.

For more information, visit reddeer.ca/popupsprayparks.

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City of Red Deer

“Meet Me At The Park” Free drop in programing for kids at Kentwood’s St. Lorenzo School this week

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Looking for fun this summer? Want to get outside and enjoy our beautiful neighbourhood parks and green spaces? Join us for Meet Me at the Park – a free drop-in program for all ages!

Meet Me at the Park aims to bring our community together by offering informal and unstructured recreational opportunities that support physical activity, creativity, and social connection.

Each park location has amenities to compliment the program and when possible, a gathering space such as an Activity Centre may be available to provide washroom access. Please note that parents are responsible for their children at all times and must be available in case of an emergency. Children under six years are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian.

Activities may include the following:

  • Soccer/basketball/tennis/pickleball/badminton/baseball
  • Circuit courses, obstacle course
  • Block party & yard games
  • Arts and crafts
  • Gardening and nature fun

The program runs Monday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.mand Friday’s from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

2024 Schedule

Date Location Address
July 8-12 St Lorenzo School 150 Kingston Drive
July 15-19 Don Campbell 99 Irving Crescent
July 22-26 Clearview Meadows 93 Cornett Drive
July 29 – Aug 2 Mountview Sunnybrook 4316 32 Street
Aug 6-9 Normandeau 49 Noble Avenue
Aug 12-16 Morrisroe East 35 McLean Street
Aug 19-23 Oriole Park 5 Ogden Avenue
Aug 26-30 West Park 3811 57 Avenue

Activities offered will vary from site to site based on the amenities available and will include a variety of options for unstructured creative play. Activities may change based on community interests and should provide options for all ages and abilities.

The following may be offered:

  • Circuit courses, obstacle course
  • Soccer/basketball/tennis/pickleball/badminton/baseball
  • Arts and crafts
  • Gardening and nature focused
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