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Help build the new Child Advocacy Centre – Brick By Brick

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Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre: CACAC is Building the Future “Brick by Brick” with Latest Fundraiser

The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) is inviting you to help build the future for victims of child abuse – Brick by Brick. The Brick by Brick fundraiser is part of the CACAC’s Public Building Campaign, which aims to raise much-needed funds for the new Centre of Excellence.

At participating businesses across Central Alberta, the public is invited to purchase brick keychains. Alternatively, if you can’t make it to a physical location, the CACAC is also selling digital brick certificates online. 100% of the proceeds from keychains and digital bricks will go to the new Centre of Excellence as part of the public building campaign.

They’re Also holding a One Day Challenge Phone-a-Thon event at Bo’s Bar and Stage on April 20th, where the public can purchase keychains or digital brick certificates. The CACAC will be displaying a model of the Centre of Excellence made completely out of LEGO for public viewing at the event. Along with the keychains, there will also be lunch specials at Bo’s Bar and Stage, and prize packs that keychain purchasers can be entered into.

“This month we’re encouraging everyone to purchase their brick, either online or at one of our many participating locations. We’re so excited that more and more businesses are coming onboard as keychain locations. It’s very heartwarming to see the community come together time and time again for the children of Central Alberta. You can find a full list of participating locations on our website.” Says Jennifer O’Shea, Campaign Director at the CACAC.

“It has been a long-time dream of ours to do a LEGO-themed or block-themed fundraiser or drive of some kind. When we talk about building the future for victims of child abuse, neglect, and sexual exploitation, we know that it takes the whole community. One brick on its own doesn’t build anything, but when everyone contributes their brick, we can build something great. In this way, you’re literally helping us build the Centre of Excellence by supporting our Brick by Brick fundraiser.” – Jennifer O’Shea, Campaign Director, CACAC.

Of the $12M that the CACAC needs to raise for the Centre of Excellence building campaign, they’re currently just under $8.5M. They’re hoping this fundraiser, along with the One Day Challenge and future events will help put them over the top.

“We’ve seen hard evidence that the need is growing, and the Centre of Excellence is our best way of meeting the need head-on,” says Dylan Rambow, Communications Coordinator of the CACAC, “Since going public with this building campaign in February we’ve seen an increase in donations. However, what we’ve also seen is a sharp increase in reporting of abusive situations, which has led to an increase of forensic interviews at our existing site. We really need to get into our new space and utilize it to its full potential, as the demand is beginning to outpace our current Centre. The new Centre of Excellence is needed now more than ever before, which is why we’re hoping that the public will support our Brick by Brick initiative throughout April!” – Dylan Rambow, Communications Coordinator, CACAC.

The Centre of Excellence will be the new home for the CACAC, the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, RCMP Child Forensic Interviewers, and Alberta Health Services: Red Deer Child and Youth Addiction and Mental Health Outpatient Clinic; Move your Mood Studio; and the Step Up Step Down live-in youth mental health program. This model of advocacy and recovery will be the first of its kind in North America, and will integrate with Red Deer Polytechnic by both being on their main campus in Red Deer, and by presenting unique learning opportunities while affecting certain curricula.

If your business would like to become a keychain location, please email [email protected].

For more information on the Brick by Brick fundraiser, as well as info on the Centre of Excellence and the CACAC, visit https://www.centralalbertacac.ca/brick-by-brick-fundraiser/.

The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre is a not for profit organization rooted in the protection and recovery of today’s most innocent and vulnerable – our children. The Centre is comprised of a collective that is driven by the courage to support children, youth, and their families affected by abuse, enabling them to build enduring strength and overcome adversity. We work in a collaborative partnership with the Central Region Children's Services, Alberta Health Services, Alberta Justice, Alberta Education, the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre and the RCMP. Together we harness our collective courage to provide children with supported recovery. It takes courage and bravery for a child to share their story of abuse, for families to bring their children forward, to believe, to listen without judgement, and to seek justice. Supporting the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre today is an investment in the promise and possibility of a healthy future for our children and our community.

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Alberta

Province boosts development strategies at Regional Airports

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Proposed area for development at Red Deer Regional Airport highlighted by bright colours

Building Alberta’s regional airport network

Alberta’s government is investing $1.13 million to support the development of regional airports across the province.

Alberta’s regional airports connect people, create jobs and help local businesses reach new markets. This investment will facilitate the growth of the province’s regional airport network, enabling the seamless movement of people and goods, and creating more opportunities for municipalities and local industry to thrive.

“Alberta’s aviation industry plays an important role in strengthening and diversifying our economy by expanding access to markets and creating jobs in the province. Regional airports are key assets in supporting the air sector and the movement of people. This investment will support the growth of Alberta’s regional airports and help restore and develop connections between our regional and international airports.”

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

The grant funding will support 10 regional airports in developing business cases and feasibility studies for improved airport infrastructure and air transportation. The projects will allow the airports to identify, explore and prioritize improvements and opportunities to increase their economic competitiveness, such as increasing the number of air carriers or the efficiency of aircraft movement to bolster the economic output of regional airports.

“Regional airports play a critical role in keeping Alberta connected and our economy growing. We are working with our partners to ensure all corners of the province are in the best position to attract job-creating investment and opportunities from around the world for all Albertans.”

Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade

The grants include $120,000 to the Red Deer Regional Airport for a land development strategy, which will inform the airport about how it can leverage infrastructure and facility improvements, such as terminal expansion and airside land development, that will better position the airport as a hub for economic activity. 

“The continued support from the province positions the Red Deer Regional Airport as a compelling and competitive location to do business. Now more than ever, we are primed to attract new investment opportunities, create jobs and strengthen central Alberta’s economic landscape.”

Jim Wood, mayor, Red Deer County

The funded projects vary in scope and size depending on the specific needs of each airport. They include exploring airport certification to support scheduled air services, airport commercial development, commercial air services, hangar development and development of strategic business cases to restore regional airports’ positions as primary transportation hubs.

“CAEP is proud to showcase the importance of the Red Deer Regional Airport as a true ’hub‘ in the Central Alberta Region. Transportation is critical to a thriving region that leads to sophisticated manufacturing, technological innovation and investment attraction to enhance and support our economic corridors. Continued growth at the RDRA is proof that the region is thriving and a ’destination of choice‘ for investment.”

Tracy Gardner, executive director, Central Alberta Economic Partnership

The projects will also support the creation of an air service business case to attract new airlines, analyzing highest-need routes, determining baseline capacities of airport infrastructure, and identifying capital asset rehabilitation and replacement requirements.

“Regional airports support economic development and serve as a hub for emergency services for rural Alberta. The funding provided today will benefit many rural communities and represents a strong step in maintaining Alberta’s rural transportation network.”

Kara Westerlund, vice president, Rural Municipalities of Alberta

This investment demonstrates Alberta’s commitment to growing the aviation sector and diversifying the economy. Alberta’s government will continue working closely with regional airports to ensure they are drivers of economic growth in the province.

Quick facts

A total of $1,129,424 is being provided to support 10 regional airports:

  • Cold Lake Regional Airport
  • Feasibility Study for Airport Certification to Support Scheduled Air Services – $144,000
  • Whitecourt Airport
  • Commercial Development Feasibility Study – $78,684
  • Lloydminster Municipal Airport
  • Commercial Air Services Feasibility Study – $113,988
  • Peace River Regional Airport
  • Peace River Airport Master Plan – $57,552
  • Lethbridge Airport
  • Hangar Development Feasibility Study and Business Case – $150,000
  • High Level Airport
  • High Level Airport Master Plan – $56,000
  • Red Deer Regional Airport
  • Land Development Strategy and Implementation Plan – $120,000
  • Medicine Hat Regional Airport
  • Feasibility and Business Case for Airport Growth and Development – $150,000
  • Grande Prairie Airport
  • Canadian Border Services Agency Facilities Study – $140,000
  • Fort McMurray International Airport
  • Business Case to Recapture Lost Passenger Traffic – $119,200
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Alberta

Doubling surgical capacity in Rocky Mountain House

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Rural Albertans will be able to access surgeries quicker and closer to home now that the expansion and renovation of the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre is complete.

The Rocky Mountain House Health Centre has been providing residents with health care since 1971, including surgical services. Alberta Infrastructure has completed an addition to the facility, which includes a new operating room. This will enable approximately 120 Albertans per month to receive surgery, doubling the number of monthly surgeries. This additional, brand-new operating room is also expected to decrease the wait lists for surgeries.

The expanded Rocky Mountain House Health Centre provides an additional 440 square metres (4,736 square feet) and includes:

  • a new operating room,
  • 6 additional recovery beds,
  • a patient support area, and
  • an updated medical device reprocessing department.

The new spaces can be accessed from the existing site thanks to the addition of an upgraded hallway that connects the two buildings.

“Completing the expansion and renovation of the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre is a significant step forward in delivering Alberta Surgical Initiative projects province wide. This investment into health care infrastructure will increase surgical capacity, helping Albertans get treatment when and where they need it.”

Pete Guthrie, Minister of Infrastructure

The Rocky Mountain House Health Centre upgrade is part of the Alberta Surgical Initiative (ASI), which aims to enhance surgical capacity across the province by expanding and maximizing existing health care space. Over the next three years, the 2024 Capital Plan is providing $313 million for ASI projects throughout the province.

Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Health Services share the responsibility for delivering ASI projects. Alberta Health Services leads the delivery of smaller projects, while Alberta Infrastructure delivers capital projects over $5 million.

“Albertans deserve timely access to surgeries, and they should be able to get them close to home. The expansion and renovation of the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre will increase its capacity so more Albertans can get the surgeries they need when they need them. Through the Alberta Surgical Initiative, we are improving access to surgical care and funding projects across the province, including in rural communities like Rocky Mountain House.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health 

Alberta Infrastructure is working on 20 ASI projects in communities across Alberta, including Brooks, Calgary, Camrose, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Innisfail, Lethbridge, Olds, Ponoka, St. Albert and Stettler. Lethbridge will be the next community to benefit from a completed ASI project. The expansion of two operating rooms and more surgical inpatient rooms at the Chinook Regional Hospital is anticipated to be completed later this fall.

The expanded Rocky Mountain House Health Centre will help ensure more residents can access surgeries and receive the care they need in a timely manner. Investments like these in rural Alberta matter and I’d like to thank Minister Guthrie and Minister LaGrange for delivering on this project that will double our surgical capacity in Rocky Mountain House.”

Jason Nixon, MLA, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre

Quick facts

  • The total budget for the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre ASI project was $15 million.
  • This Alberta Infrastructure project was completed on time and on budget. Approximately 85 construction-related jobs were created during the project.
  • In addition to the new building, other renovations include new mechanical and electrical building systems.
  • Alberta Infrastructure is managing other ASI projects at the following locations:
  • Brooks Health Centre
  • Calgary
  • Alberta Children’s Hospital
  • Foothills Medical Centre
  • South Health Campus
  • Camrose – St. Mary’s Hospital
  • Edmonton
  • Grey Nuns Community Hospital
  • Misericordia Community Hospital
  • Royal Alexandra Hospital
  • Walter C. Mackenzie Centre (University of Alberta Hospital)
  • Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital
  • Innisfail Health Centre
  • Lethbridge – Chinook Regional Hospital
  • Olds Hospital and Care Centre 
  • Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre
  • St. Albert – Sturgeon Community Hospital
  • Stettler Hospital and Care Centre
  • Other ASI projects completed by Alberta Infrastructure:
  • Grande Prairie Regional Health Centre (completed in July 2022)
  • University of Alberta (completed September 2023)
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