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City of Red Deer

Skate parks open in Red Deer. Tennis, basketball, pickle ball open May 15

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From the City of Red Deer

City to open some outdoor amenities

Following the release of the provincial government’s Relaunch Strategy, The City is opening some outdoor recreation amenities. A long-term, phased approach to opening additional outdoor and indoor amenities and resuming recreation activities is also underway.

“We know Red Deerians are anxious to resume their daily lives, including the use of outdoor and indoor recreation in our community,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “We have developed a local phased approach that is in line with the provincial government’s strategy, and ensures we remain unwavering in our diligence and vigilance to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

Following advice and recommendations in the provincial Relaunch Strategy, as well as guidelines from Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, the following amenities will open in the coming weeks:

  • Skate parks and disc golf will open May 8.
  • Neighbourhood asphalt pads (tennis, basketball, neighbourhood pickleball) will open in phases starting May 15. They will be available for spontaneous, non-contact, unorganized sport only.
  • Community sport fields remain open for spontaneous use, as long as users comply with the restrictions on mass gatherings and requirement to maintain physical distancing.  Sport fields remain closed for organized use and bookings.
  •  The track near Lindsay Thurber High School remains open for spontaneous use.
  • Great Chief Park (including Setters Place) and Edgar Athletic Park remain closed, with the exception the Pitch ‘n Putt at Great Chief Park which is open for use.
  • In alignment with Phase 1 of AB Relaunch strategy The City is working with community groups that operate some city amenities to re-open in the near future including: Red Deer Tennis Club, Red Deer Pickleball Club, Red Deer Remote Car Club and Red Deer BMX Club.
  • The Waskasoo Environmental Education Society will begin opening aspects of their operations, including a modified Green Deer program, as soon as May 15, more details can be found at https://www.waskasoopark.ca/.
  • The City is working with the OPC Chiropractic clinic at the Collicutt Centre to provide modified access.
  • Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery is exploring options for their reopening.

The ability to keep facilities open will depend on the public’s compliance with provincial public health orders. Users are reminded of the following restrictions and guidelines when using these amenities:

  • Maintain physical distance of 2 metres/6 feet between participants (unless from the same household).
  • Only non-contact, unorganized sport is permitted.
  • Limit participants to 15 people or less.
  • Bring your own equipment and avoid activities that require shared equipment.
  • Wash/sanitize your hands often.

In the coming weeks, staff will perform inspections and maintenance on playgrounds in preparation for a phased re-opening. The exact timing for the opening of playgrounds is still under review, and will depend on provincial guidelines.

We continue to plan for the phased opening of other outdoor and indoor amenities, and will share information and updates as timelines are confirmed. The opening of amenities will be based on guidelines and recommendations from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, as well as our own risk analysis. We thank residents for their ongoing support and cooperation in following all public health orders while we evaluate and open amenities when it is safe to do so.

“We are working very closely with the provincial government to understand how to re-open the amenities that we know citizens are eager to return to,” said Allan Seabrooke, City Manager. “We know playgrounds are top of mind for many citizens, and we are working hard to develop a plan to allow for the opening of playgrounds; however, with frequent touch points, limited access to hand hygiene options, and cleaning/sanitizing requirements, a careful, methodical plan is needed.”

More detailed information about the overall municipal strategy for reactivating recreation amenities in Red Deer will be available in the coming weeks. As always, the strategy is entirely dependent on the evolving situation, which can change quickly.

For more information, visit reddeer.ca.

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.

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City of Red Deer

Bus fares and transit fees rising next month: City of Red Deer

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Increase to fees and fares, effective September 1

Starting September 1, 2023, there will be an adjustment to fares and fees for Transit, Recreation and Cemetery Services.During 2023/2024 budget deliberations City Council agreed that an increase to bus fares, recreation fees and cemetery fees was necessary to keep up with the rising costs for operating.

“Like every business, our operating costs have increased and in order to maintain our current levels of service for our riders we had to consider increasing our bus fares,” said Jeremy Bouw, Manager, Transit & Fleet Services.  “This year we have seen our ridership slowly increasing and we want to keep that trend moving upward by maintaining our transit services and continuing to attract new riders.”

As of September 1, the following rates will be applied to Transit services:

  • Cash Fares
    • Adult (18-64 years) – $3
    • Youth (6-17 years) / Student / Senior – $2.50
  • 12 Ride Pass
    • Adult – $33
    • Youth / Student / Senior – $27.50
  • Unlimited Ride (Monthly Pass)
    • Adult – $75
    • Senior – $62
    • Student – $62

MyRide, The City’s electronic bus pass, is available for purchase at Transit Customer Service in Sorensen Station or at City Hall. MyRide can be conveniently reloaded with the fare type of your choice in 12 ride bundles or unlimited monthly passes at Transit Customer Service, City Hall or one of the seven reload stations located throughout the community.

As of September 1, the following recreation services will experience rate changes:

  • Daily admission at the Collicutt Centre, Recreation Centre, Michener Centre, Servus Arena, Kinsmen Community Arenas and Setters Place at Great Chief Park
  • Monthly Recreation All Access Passes and Recreation Value Passes*
  • 10 punch passes at the above-mentioned facilities
  • Group admission fees at the above-mentioned facilities
  • Childminding fees at the Collicutt Centre and G.H. Dawe Community Centre
  • Facility rental fees

* The Recreation Plus Pass fee was adjusted with the opening of the newly expanded G.H. Dawe Community Centre in February, and will not receive another adjustment in September.

“Our intent is always to provide as much access to recreation as possible, while managing increased costs, staffing levels and maintenance demands,” says Tammy Greba, acting Recreation  Superintendent. She continues, “as a demonstration of this, we continue to offer the Fee Assistance Program to those needing financial help accessing City Arts and Recreation programs and services.”

For more information on fees and fares visit:

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City of Red Deer

City welcoming evacuees from Northwest Territories

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The City of Red Deer is welcoming up to 1000 evacuees from the Northwest Territories, including The City of Yellowknife.

A reception centre will be ready at noon on Thursday, August 17 at the GH Dawe Community Centre (6175 67 Street).

People arriving in Red Deer from the Northwest Territories are asked to register at the GH Dawe Community Centre (6175 67 Street). Additional supports for evacuees are available including assistance for lodging, meals, medical and pet care.

The GH Dawe Community Centre remains open to the public and all recreation activities are running as scheduled.

People looking to support evacuees can do so by donating to the Canadian Red Cross or Central Alberta Humane Society (to support evacuees with pets). Both these organizations are accepting monetary donations only.

  • To donate to the Red Cross: Donations can be made either online at www.redcross.ca or at the local Red Cross Office (105 – 5301 43 Street).
  • To donate to the Central Alberta Humane Society: https://cahumane.com/

More information on The City’s response is available at reddeer.ca/evacuees

Information for Evacuees:

  • People arriving in Red Deer from the Northwest Territories are asked to register at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre (6175 67 Street).
  • If you or anyone you’re evacuating with require additional supports (meals, medical, lodging, pet care) staff are available to support at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre.
  • Evacuees will receive free transit and recreation passes. More information is available at the Reception Centre (G.H. Dawe Community Centre).

Information for Residents:

  • The G.H. Dawe Community Centre remains open, with programming not impacted at this time.
  • While we greatly appreciate our community’s desire to help, the best way to help is by donating to the Canadian Red Cross or Central Alberta Humane Society (to support people with pets). Both these organizations are accepting monetary donations only to support evacuees.
    • To donate to the Red Cross: Donations can be made either online at www.redcross.ca or at the local Red Cross Office (105 – 5301 43 Street).
    • To donate to the Central Alberta Humane Society:https://cahumane.com/

For the latest wildfire information, visit https://www.gov.nt.ca/ecc/en/services/wildfire-update

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