Central Alberta
Local artist records original song for Remembrance Day with video showcasing Red Deer’s military history
Editor’s note: This article was published in 2020. It was extremely popular in the Central Alberta region so we wanted to circulate it again this year, now even more poignant with the war in Ukraine. The video uses many images that are familiar to Central Albertans and pays tribute to Central Alberta soldiers who have deployed internationally over the years.
This spring, a singer and songwriter friend of mine from Red Deer, Shelly Dion, came to me with a song idea that had, in her words, been “knocking around in my head for the past 30 years”. She said that she really wanted to pay her respects to the people who sacrificed their lives and livelihoods to go to war.
The song is called “Lay Me Down”, and it’s a very fitting song for this time of year. We decided to get together and record a simple version of the song. Then I sent her off to see musical wizard, Red Deer’s Heath West of Medodius Design. Heath came up with some excellent improvements and we recorded it in his studio this fall.
As Honorary Colonel of 41 Signal Regiment in Alberta, I’m always looking for opportunities to promote the military, our Regiment’s members, and of course at this time of year, to acknowledge the sacrifice made by the men and women who serve in the Canadian Armed Forces. “Lay Me Down” hit all the right notes.
With some help from Counsellor Michael Dawe, long-time archivist for the City of Red Deer, I gained access to some wonderful historic photos that helped me to tell some of the stories of Red Deer’s military history. At the same time, I wanted to help the members of our Regiment honour the many local members who have volunteered to put their lives and careers on hold to deploy internationally to places like Afghanistan, Golan Heights, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and more recently Ukraine and Latvia. This project allowed me to both profiles some local history and recognize our more modern history. Thanks to WO Drew Adkins of 41 Signal Regiment for his help in coordinating photos from our wall of fame inside Cormack Armoury.
The above video is the result. Take some time to learn about our local military history. Do you know who Cormack Armoury is named after? You’ll also learn about local members of 41 Signal Regiment (2 Sqn), many of whom actively serve in the Armed Forces today. You may even know some of them as neighbours, friends, and co-workers. Please take a moment to acknowledge their service, and on November 11th, attend a service, and at the very least, take a moment at 11 AM to be silent and consider how lucky we are to be at peace in our country.
“Lay Me Down” is written and performed by Shelly Dion and produced and engineered by Heath West. Musicians: Bagpipes Glenn MacLeod, acoustic guitar Heath West, electric guitars Lloyd Lewis, drums Phil Liska, Bass Doug Gagnon.
Click to read more on Todayville.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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
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.”
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.”
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.”
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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