City of Red Deer
Mayor Veer responds to BMO and RDC Donald School of Business leaving downtown core
From the City of Red Deer
Mayor Tara Veer responds to downtown economic sustainability on behalf of City Council
Our community is facing unprecedented challenges, navigating the perfect storm of a global health crisis and an already unfavourable economic climate. BMO Bank of Montreal, a significant anchor in downtown Red Deer, has announced their intention to close their downtown and south Red Deer branches. The company will consolidate these local branches to a new branch in Bower Place. Following a briefing from Bank of Montreal officials, it is The City’s understanding that this is part of the planned change for the bank, and all other branches remain open in Red Deer.
This announcement closely follows the news that Red Deer College’s (RDC) Donald School of Business will move some student programming from the downtown campus to the main campus. RDC will continue to offer Continuing Education and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at their downtown location. I spoke with the RDC Board Chair and we discussed the changing model of RDC and the future of RDC in the downtown. RDC reiterated their commitment to the downtown campus and the fact that ESL and Continuing Education programs will continue to bring students to our downtown.
We know that downtowns are the heart of any city and that they play a vital role as our communities’ business, administrative, and cultural centres. City Council has prioritized work on the strategic goal of ensuring a strong, dynamic local economy and a revitalized downtown and have identified this in our 2019-2022 Strategic Plan. As an example, earlier this year The City launched a new economic incentives program for the downtown and adopted other initiatives to strengthen our local economy. For additional information, please visit The City’s website at www.reddeer.ca and search downtown economic incentives and economic leader.
We remain committed to fostering a strong, diverse local economy, which includes a thriving downtown. We will continue to invest in and support businesses in the downtown and throughout our community, ultimately working to ensure long-term sustainability and viability and to support our community through these unprecedented times.Ct
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
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:
- Circuit courses, obstacle course
- Soccer/basketball/tennis/pickleball/badminton/baseball
- Arts and crafts
- Gardening and nature focused
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