Dominating 11 and 1 record for RD Polytechnic Athletics over the weekend

Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics Weekend Recap

Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics had a great weekend that saw all teams go undefeated on Friday night with just one loss on the schedule on Saturday evening. At the end of the week, the teams totaled a record of 11-1. A few teams even went the distance with Queens Hockey needing a shootout, Kings Hockey needing overtime and Kings Volleyball needing five sets to find a winner.

Basketball

Queens (12-6) vs Olds College Broncos (7-11)

The impressive streak continues. The Queens Basketball team extended their win streak to nine games after two hard-fought matches against their Central Alberta rivals, the Olds College Broncos. On Friday night, the Queens exploded in the first quarter but would lose it in the second and third frames. This did not
stop them from coming back in the fourth quarter which resulted in an impressive 79-71 comeback victory. Guard Amy Szymanek (Bachelor of Education) was named the player of the game with 25 points and 10 rebounds.

The game on Saturday night in Olds was much different as they were able to win all four quarters on the score sheet and route the Broncos 87-49. Guard Heena Sidhu (Bachelor of Arts in Political Science) had 13 points and six assists on the night and was named the player of the game.

Kings (11-7) vs Olds College Broncos (3-15)

Regardless of the record of the Olds College Broncos, the Kings were put to the test on Friday and Saturday as the Broncos are a team that is full of adversity. The Kings were able to figure things out on Friday night early on and managed to have a much better second half which led to an 88-56 victory, which was a good
stepping stone after falling to the SAIT Trojans last week in heartbreaking fashion. With all nine of his points coming off the long-range shot, Guard MacGregor Manyluk (Business Administration General) was named the player of the game.

But the Broncos did not go down so easily on Saturday night in their own gym. They fought right until the final whistle blew in what was a much closer game than the night before. Late in the fourth, the Kings managed to get multiple stops which led to points on the board and an 85-77 victory. Guard Eduardo Crespo was named the player of the game after completing his night with a double-double, 29 points and 15 rebounds.

Hockey

Queens (10-3-1) vs Lakeland College Rustlers (7-4-2)

The Queens came into this weekend facing a Rustlers team that won back-to-back games against the NAIT Ooks the previous weekend. It was not going to be easy. After the Queens gave up the opening goal, they battled back with two straight goals. But the Rustlers tied it and forced it to go to overtime, which solved
nothing. They ended up in a shootout. The Queens scored twice and drove home with a 3-2 victory. Forward Madison Sansom (Social Work) had a goal on the night to extend her point streak to six games. Forward Alli Soyko (Bachelor of Education) was named the player of the game with a goal and an assist on the night.

To cap off the weekend, the Queens managed to shut out the Rustlers 2-0 in their own barn. Goaltender Tanya Disotell-Dunsmore had an 18-save shutout. Sansom had a goal and an assist to complete her weekend with a player of the game honour. She also extended her point streak to seven games. Forward Jailyn Bablitz (Bachelor of Education) got the other marker on Saturday night.

Kings (14-6-1) at Briercrest College Clippers (8-8-2)

The Kings hit the road and pulled off a feat that is pretty rare as they were able to defeat the Briercrest College Clippers in back-to-back games. This usually does not happen in all sports. Earlier on in the year, the Kings and Queens Volleyball won on Friday night and would lose the match the following afternoon. On
Friday, the Kings would score three straight goals after falling behind 1-0 to win it 3-2. The Clippers added a late marker with the goaltender pulled. Forward Chance Longjohn (Bachelor of Education) scored the first goal of the night for the Kings and was awarded the player of the game. The other goals were scored by forward’s Hayden Clayton (Open Studies) and Nolan Doell (Bachelor of Education).

It was a very gritty game on Saturday afternoon with both teams getting multiple 10-minute misconducts. But this game needed overtime. After going down 2-0 early, the Kings would score three straight goals to take the lead. But the Clippers battled back and tied it up at three. Later in the game, they tied it at four. Five
minutes into overtime, forward Jacob Wozney was on an odd-man rush and finished it top-shelf to win 5-4. The player of the game went to Jaxon Steele (Bachelor of Kinesiology), who finished his afternoon with two assists.

Volleyball

Queens (10-7) vs Olds College Broncos (0-15)

As the Queens continued to improve and look at peaking near championships, they were able to come away with a sweep of the Olds College Broncos. But it was definitely a slow start on Friday night for the Queens. They managed to pick things up when they needed to and find the set victories. After winning the first two
sets, the Queens dropped the third set but were able to win the fourth set and take the match. With 12 digs in the match, libero Frankie Sandini (Justice Studies) was named the player of the game.

On Saturday night, it was a whole different story as the Queens managed to make quick work of the Broncos in a match that was just over an hour long. The women’s volleyball team came out of the gate fast and ready to play. Outside-hitter Vanessa Loos (Bachelor of Arts in Psychology) was named the player of the game, who had an all-around effort. She had five kills, seven aces and nine digs.

Kings (15-2) vs Olds College Broncos (11-6)

It was a tough blow for the Kings this past weekend as they dropped their first match since the beginning of the season in a five-set thriller against the Olds College Broncos. But the weekend did not start all bad as they were able to sweep the Broncos in three-straight sets in Olds for the victory. Setter Maddux Greves (Business Administration) was named the player of the game after finishing with 25 assists, eight digs and two blocks.

But it was a whole different story on Saturday night. The Kings would drop the first and third set 25-23. They managed to pick up the second set victory with a score of 25-21. With the game on the line in the fourth set, they blew out the Broncos with a score of 25-12. After a hard-fought fifth set, the Kings would lose 15-13 and their winning streak ended at 14 matches. Outside-hitter Noah Carlson (Open Studies) had 13 assists and five blocks and was named the player of the game.

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Local Business

Red Deer Downtown Business Association to Wind Down Operations

Published on December 10, 2025

Red Deer DBA

The Downtown Business Association (DBA) Board of Directors has made the decision to wind down the Association’s operations at the end of 2025.

The Board determined that the Association is no longer able to operate sustainably under the financial framework available for 2026. After exploring all reasonable alternatives, the Board concluded that it could not continue without reducing services to a level that would no longer provide meaningful value to levy-paying businesses.

The DBA does not receive any operating funding from City Hall in a regular year, all funds raised are through Business Improvement Area Levy that consists of a mandatory levy placed on all businesses operating within the Business Improvement Area. These funds are legislated under the Municipal
Government Act, to be used to promote the Business Improvement Area, which is achieved through marketing and event initiatives along with providing advocacy support primarily to local government on behalf of the business community.

In recent years, the DBA has been a committed advocate for re-examining the approach to Downtown Governance. The Board has consistently maintained that the responsibility for funding downtown initiatives in such a socially charged environment should not rest solely with the business community.

Despite their efforts, the DBA recognized that the funds generated through the Business Improvement Area Levy were insufficient to effectively address the growing challenges of the current operating environment. This ongoing financial strain highlighted the need for a more equitable and sustainable
model to re-establish the downtown as a safe and welcoming heart of the city.

At the annual DBA budget presentation to City Hall, the DBA requested the essential funding needed to implement the Greater Downtown Governance Committee’s recommendations — work that the DBA is uniquely positioned to lead and has been delivering despite depleting resources for many years. The request was not approved. Instead, The City offered a one-time $100,000 Grant-in-Lieu, paired with a proposed 60% increase to the Business Improvement Area levy in 2026.

After careful analysis, the Board concluded that increasing the levy would place undue strain on already challenged businesses and compromise the DBA’s role as a trusted advocate. Operating with the reduced funding of $225,000 would require further staff reductions in an already under resourced environment and a significant reduction in programs, making it impossible to deliver the level of support that downtown businesses deserve and vitally need.

Beginning January 1, 2026, the City of Red Deer will become the primary contact point for matters previously supported by the DBA, including downtown support programs, business-district coordination, events, safety and cleanliness support, and stakeholder engagement. The DBA will work with City staff to support a smooth transition.

The DBA will continue to provide Clean Team services through the delivery of the City-funded environmental contract until February 1st, 2026.

Quote from CEO, Amanda Gould:

“To our business community, we have always operated with your best interests in our heart, continually driving the vision of a thriving downtown environment that serves every member of our community. The changes ahead will have a significant impact on downtown, as there will no longer be an organization dedicated to ensuring the downtown remains top-of-mind, leading events, marketing initiatives, or advocating on your behalf. It is likely you will experience less coordinated support and collective representation.

After 13 years of service to you and our beautiful downtown, it is with great personal sadness that we find ourselves here, but our message remains clear – addressing the unique challenges of our downtown should not rest solely on your shoulders. We cannot, in good faith, collect a levy that does not enable us to provide the essential services needed for our evolving downtown landscape”.

Quote from DBA Board Chair, Brandon Bouchard:

“The incredible staff at the Downtown Business Association have consistently delivered on their mandate with outstanding dedication and effectiveness. Through their efforts, they have successfully promoted the downtown area, organized impactful marketing and event initiatives, and provided steadfast
advocacy support for the business community. Their work has extended well beyond the legislated requirements, as they have proactively responded to the evolving needs of downtown businesses, adapting to challenges and supporting operations within a complex and changing environment.

Despite the staff’s relentless commitment to positioning the DBA as an effective leader for downtown interests, the absence of a sustainable funding model has made it impossible to continue delivering meaningful support. The Board cannot, in good conscience, propose a levy that does not enable the
Association to meet the required level of service, address the shifting priorities of the business community, or respond to the continually evolving needs of the downtown”.

Health

SPARC Kindness Tree: A Growing Tradition in Capstone

Published on November 19, 2025

SPARC Red Deer

Since 2021, thousands of wooden ornaments painted with messages of kindness and hope by local youth have adorned multiple trees in Capstone during the holiday season.

One of SPARC Red Deer’s Paint the Town Positive initiative, these kindness ornaments are created by youth from various schools, clubs and community groups.

Beginning on November 27^th, area residents are encouraged to visit Canada 150 Square in Capstone to select an ornament to take home – and gift another to someone in their community. This year, SPARC is continuing its partnership with the City, and is thrilled to expand its presence in Red Deer by sharing Kindness Ornaments in recreation facilities across the community.

Sharing kindness plays a meaningful role in supporting our mental well-being. It gives us hope, warms the heart, and fosters a sense of purpose. Acts of kindness can also inspire others to pay it forward – creating a ripple effect of positivity.

SPARC Red Deer is a local non-profit coalition dedicated to strengthening positive assets and resilience in communities. Paint the Town Positive – the youth-driven chapter – collaborated with Capstone to launch the Kindness Tree with the goal of giving back and spreading kindness throughout the community.

To learn more about SPARC, visit sparcreddeer.ca.