Connect with us

Community

Discovery Canyon, Access for all Playground Project, and Enhanced Trail Systems at River Bend all “Award-Winning” projects

Published

3 minute read

From The City of Red Deer

Red Deer recognized as parks and recreation leader

Red Deer was recognized as an Alberta parks and recreation leader as local organizations won three separate awards at the annual Alberta Recreation & Parks Association (ARPA) conference last month in Lake Louise.

The APRA awards recognize outstanding achievements of individuals, groups and communities whose contributions to recreation and parks have greatly enhanced the quality of life of Albertans. This year, three APRA awards went to organizations in Red Deer:

  • Parks Excellence Award: The City of Red Deer, Discovery Canyon

The Parks Excellence Award recognizes achievements and innovative ideas in parks and open space operations. The renovation of Red Deer’s Discovery Canyon was taken on as a Canada 150 legacy project with The City working together with IBI Group Urban Design & Architecture. The modernization included repairs to infrastructure, installation of interprative signage, construction of new playgrounds and decks, and the addition of wheelchair accessible ramps to improve accessibility. Since the renovation, visitors to the River Bend Golf & Recreation Area have increased significantly, proving Discovery Canyon remains a favorite destination for residents and visitors alike.

  • Alberta Advisory Board on Recreation for the Disabled (AABRD) Legacy Award: Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise Society

The AABRD Legacy Award recognizes achievements by individuals, communities and organizations that strive to advance integrated recreation opportunities for people with disabilities. After identifying a lack of inclusive play structures, the Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise partnered with The City and Mattie McCullough Elementary School to create The Access for All Playground Project. More than 50% of the playscape design provides barrier free opportunities for integration, interactive play and inclusion for people with unique abilities.

  • A.V. Pettigrew Award: Parkland Cross Country Ski Club

The A.V. Pettigrew Award recognizes Alberta Communities that have contributed to the improvement of quality of life of their citizens through recreation and parks programs, services, facilities and open spaces. Capitalizing on the momentum of the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, the Parkland Cross Country Ski Club identified a need for enhanced recreation trail systems at the River Bend Golf & Recreation Area. The club raised over $400,000 through donations and grants, which was used to widen trails, improve slopes, install lights and increase accessibility and safety for all trail users throughout all seasons of use.

“We are honoured and proud to receive these awards,” said Barb McKee, Recreation Superintendent with The City of Red Deer. “Red Deer’s community-driven accomplishments powered by incredible volunteer energy and dedication are second to none and we are so proud to showcase that across the province and the nation.”

More information about Red Deer’s parks and outdoor recreation facilities can be found online at www.reddeer.ca/parks.

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.

Follow Author

Community

Shelly Flint Appointed as New CEO of Westerner Park

Published on

Westerner Park, a distinguished agricultural society and premier exhibition venue in the heart of Central Alberta, is pleased to announce Shelly Flint as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This decision culminates a thorough and extensive search process, with the Board of Directors expressing their enthusiasm for the promising journey ahead under Shelly’s leadership.

Tyler Nightingale, President of the Board of Directors, shared his excitement about the appointment, stating, “After a comprehensive search, we are thrilled to welcome Shelly. Her extensive experience, skill set, and knowledge align seamlessly with the strategic direction of Westerner Park, ensuring a positive and enduring impact on both the organization and the community at large.”

Tara Lodewyk, Red Deer City Manager, added, “Shelly immediately connected with the mission of Westerner Park and the value it brings to the culture of our city and region. We are looking forward to working together and are confident in her leadership of Westerner Park.”

For the past two decades, Shelly has served as a senior executive, spearheading diverse teams within Alberta’s dynamic entertainment and finance sectors. Her tenure as the former CFO at the Calgary Stampede equips her with a distinctive insight into the intricacies of Westerner Park, enabling her to adeptly navigate its challenges and leverage its opportunities. Coupled with her roots in Central Alberta, Shelly is poised to steer the Park towards growth and long-term sustainability.

Shelly expressed her eagerness to join Westerner Park, saying, “I was thrilled at the opportunity to return to Central Alberta, where I grew up! Leading this purpose-driven organization will allow me to contribute to my community and affect meaningful change.”

Shelly Flint’s robust leadership, commitment to community, and extensive experience makes her an exceptional choice to lead Westerner Park into the future. The entire Westerner Park team eagerly anticipates the positive impact she will bring to this renowned institution.

About Westerner Park

Westerner Park is Central Alberta’s largest tradeshow, agricultural, sports, entertainment, and convention facility. A not-for-profit organization and agricultural society, Westerner Park typically generates $150 million annually in economic activity, hosting over 1,500 events and 1.5 million visitors each year.

Continue Reading

Community

The Food Bank Wins

Published on

News release from 100 Women Who Care

The room was buzzing with energy and connection on Monday night – what a great way to kick off the fall with a full-house!

Thanks to everyone who joined us, with a special thank you to the 14 new members and their friends who encouraged them to join. There were also a few ladies simply checking out the vibe and we hope to see them again.

We had three excellent, engaging presentations from:

  • Judy-Ann Wybenga  – Red Deer Food Bank Society
  • Jean Stinson  – Red Deer Action Group Society
  • Lisa Smith – Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre

Congratulations to Judy-Ann! Our donations are going to the Red Deer Food Bank Society for their Community Kitchen initiative. We sure hope we get two big cans on the donor board. (Inside joke, ya had to be there! 😉)

There are two ways to make your donations to the Red Deer Food Bank through the Red Deer and District Community Foundation:

  • Mail a cheque to the Red Deer & District Community Foundation at 4901 48 St #503, Red Deer, AB T4N 6M4.  Please write “100+ Women RD” along with “Red Deer Food Bank” in the memo line.

OR

  • Use this link or QR code to donate – just be sure to note Red Deer Food Bank on the online form. If you can, please consider adding $4 to your online donation to cover the Foundation’s processing fees. Simply click on the link to do so – no need to add it to your donation.

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/67021

The Red Deer and District Community Foundation manages our donations and ensures that they arrive all present and accounted for to the recipient charities. Erin Peden, Executive Director of the RDDCF (and 100+ Women member) gave us an enlightening date on the amazing work happening at the Foundation. It sure had both of us thinking about ways we can support it more. 

Thank you Jody Wianko for the update from CMHA. Our donation helped more that 340 people since April.

 

 

Kim Mortimer, The SnapHappy Photographer, was everywhere in the room getting great action shots. The sample above from April’s meeting shows what a fun, yet serious, group we are. It’s so great having you at the meetings, Kim. And for bringing friends!

There is so much happening in Central Alberta! Here are a few of the community announcements: 

 

 

 

 

We asked and these gals delivered! Jillian donated a beautiful autumn arrangement and two tickets to the Mustard Seed’s Bowls for Bellies event. Shelley donated a $100 gift certificate from her family business, Twisted Steel Blacksmithing. Annamarie donated a gorgeous fresh bouquet on behalf of Hucal and Edwards Orthodontics.

 We asked and you delivered! The Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter and Safe Harbour Society are very grateful for the generous donations of toiletries and personal care items.

 It was great to see so many people arrive early to socialize and a number that stuck around after the meeting to keep the evening’s energy going. Thank you to Mary Warrener, Samantha Sheridan and Gail Bellanger for all their help at the registration desk, collecting and counting ballots, and generally keeping us organized. Thanks also to everyone who assisted with the post-meeting clean up. We hardly had to lift a finger and it gave us a chance to visit a few of you.

 And lastly – aargh – EMAIL ISSUES! We have heard from many of you that you’re not getting our emails, so we took some time before sending this out to restructure our email list. Fingers crossed that it worked! Please respond to the read request. This will help us gauge who is and who isn’t getting the emails. Please compare notes with your 100+ Women friends, too, by asking if they received this email and letting us know if there are still gaps. Our apologies to everyone who hasn’t been in the loop and we that this is rectified “toot sweet” 😊.

 NEXT MEETING: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27.

With so much gratitude to all of you, 

Cindy and Susan

Continue Reading

Trending

X