Council boosting budget for Downtown Business Association

Council approves 2024 DBA budget, increased investment in events

The Downtown Business Association is investing more time, money and energy into downtown events following City Council approving its 2024 budget. During the presentation today, DBA Executive Director, Amanda Gould and Board Chair, Brandon Bouchard outlined the organization’s plans for the upcoming year to continue to work towards creating a busier downtown that intends to result to increased support for businesses within the Business Improvement Area (BIA).

“The DBA remains steadfast in its objective to build on the growth seen in 2023. The collaboration between The City of Red and the DBA is at all time high and with the pending actions set to be delivered through the Downtown Activation Playbook, I know there are many great things to come that will support our business community and create the thriving downtown we all want to experience,” said Amanda Gould, DBA Executive Director.

“Today Council demonstrated their commitment to their strategic priorities with the support shown to the DBA through unanimous support of the 2024 budget. This mighty Association continues to do great work on a shoestring budget and the 2024 Board of Directors are keen to lend their expertise and entrepreneurial skills to benefit the downtown in its entirety.”
Brandon Bouchard, DBA Board Chair

The DBA’s budget is partially funded through the BIA tax levy, which is collected by The City of Red Deer. Each year, the DBA presents its proposed budget to Council for their consideration. When reviewing the budget, Council considers alignment between the DBA’s downtown priorities and City’s community priorities.

“DBA has constantly hit far above its weight in our downtown, I can’t think of a more supportive messenger of promotion than the team at the DBA, it’s so encouraging to see this strong support for our downtown,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “I’m encouraged by the leadership and direction of the DBA and look forward to what they have in store for 2024. They continually bring positive initiatives to the downtown even with the constraint on finances.”

The DBA’s total approved budget for 2024 is $775,160, with $277,725 funded through the BIA with the remaining amount funded through items such as grants and contracts. The BIA portion for 2024 is an increase of five per cent from 2023.

The Downtown Business Association has been operating in Red Deer for more than 30 years, serving approximately 350 business owners in the Downtown area. Through partnerships and leadership in advocacy and promotion, the DBA is the catalyst for a vibrant and prosperous downtown that is the place to live, work, play and do business.

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

City of Red Deer / 2 weeks ago

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

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City of Red Deer

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

Published on July 10, 2024

City of Red Deer

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.

City of Red Deer

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

Published on July 10, 2024

City of Red Deer

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.m. and 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: