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Central Alberta

The CACAC Breaks Ground on the Centre of Excellence

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Tuesday, June 21 marked a significant milestone for the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre in the construction of the innovative Centre of Excellence.

With the building officially underway, CACAC and its dedicated partners can continue their efforts in creating a safer, healthier future for the children of Central Alberta. The new build is underway as of today, with construction beginning immediately. The projected 66,566 sq. ft. structure will be the new home of the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, Alberta Health Services: Red Deer Child and Youth Addiction and Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, and the Step Up Step Down youth live-in addiction and mental health program.

“Alberta Health Services is grateful for the CACAC project. This collaboration will offer many services under one roof for youth experiencing trauma, substance use disorder and mental health concerns. Front line teams can consult seamlessly and develop relationships that simply would not exist outside the shared space of the CACAC. The ability to offer multidisciplinary care will support positive outcomes for youth and families and a shared vision for the community,” says Amy Klimosko, Director, AHS Red Deer Child, Youth, & Family Addiction & Mental Health.

The Centre of Excellence, a one-of-a-kind building in Canada, is an industry leading, evidence-based model strategically located on the Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Campus – built to strengthen integration for all partners involved. This is a proven model to reduce long-term impacts of abuse on children, youth and families, cut back on systemic costs of child abuse and, ultimately, save more lives. Thanks to the partnership with RDP, the location creates not only a safe place for children and families in Central Alberta to seek and receive support, but a place of innovation and research – to not only aid in the intervention of child abuse and mental health, but for prevention of these societal issues. Education is a key factor in the role of child abuse prevention, and the RDP partnership is a main component to building this foundation.

“On behalf of everyone at Red Deer Polytechnic, I am pleased to welcome the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre to our beautiful campus overlooking the forest reserve and next to the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre,” says Jim Brinkhurst, Interim President. “We look forward to this collaboration that will serve Central Albertans and present tremendous learning and applied research opportunities for students and staff for years to come.”

The building, constructed by Eagle Builders, is projected to be completed by Summer 2023. The 3-story, contemporary design, will be built with intentional common and shared spaces to cultivate collaboration between allied partners, and create an environment that children, youths and families feel comfortable and safe in.

“Today has been a shared vision since day one by our coalition, and I am beyond grateful that, because of our community, we are able to stand here and break-ground on this critical building. We look forward to sharing space with our integrated partners who share the same purpose: helping our children and our families. Thank you to all who have helped us pave our path towards our new home.”  – Mark Jones, CACAC CEO

The CACAC looks forward to updating the community on the progress of the build and sharing more details on the Partners involvement and impact their commitment and programs will have on our community.

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

Highway 11 to be twinned from Sylvan Lake to Rocky Mountain House

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Major highway upgrades keep Alberta moving

Budget 2024 includes $1.9 billion for planning, design and construction of major highway and bridge projects.

Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors is investing in the provincial highway network to keep Albertans safe and on the move, now and into the future.

This investment enhances Alberta’s competitive advantage by building and improving our economic corridors to provide vital links to markets in and out of Alberta. These projects will increase the safety and efficiency of our provincial highway network, ensuring Albertans spend less time stuck in traffic and more time doing the things they love.

“Alberta’s highways connect families and friends and get local products to market. We all count on well-built roads to get where we need to go, and that is why we are investing in major upgrades to our road and bridge network. With smoother and more efficient traffic flows, families can spend less time on the road and more time together.”

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

Investing in upgrades to the provincial road and bridge network creates thousands of jobs, improves traffic flows and supports the development of the province’s major economic corridors. These investments in key projects are vital to ensuring communities across the province have the infrastructure needed to get their goods to new markets and to support the higher traffic counts that come with a growing population.

“Alberta is the fastest-growing province in Canada, so it’s imperative we get to work today planning, designing and building the highways and bridges we need for tomorrow. This investment from the Government of Alberta will strengthen the province’s transportation network and expand our economic corridors so we can build our businesses, boost our exports, and create good-paying jobs.”

Tim Bennett, senior vice-chair, Alberta Motor Transport Association

As the province continues to grow, so does the need for new and improved highways to get more people and goods to their destination. Expanding Alberta’s economic corridors keeps the province connected, strengthens supply chains, and is important for economic growth and diversification. These investments will enhance Alberta’s competitive advantage, making it easier to transport goods in and out of the province.

By investing in highways and bridges, Alberta’s government is not just improving transportation; but also laying the groundwork for a stronger, more connected Alberta, ensuring prosperity for generations to come.

“ACC is supportive of the capital investments the province is making in major corridors across Alberta, including Highway 3. Improving our economic corridors is critical in ensuring we have stronger supply chains and more efficient movement of goods and people.”

Shauna Feth, president and CEO, Alberta Chambers of Commerce

“Strengthening and expanding economic corridors is a strategic priority for the EMRB. By working together, our 13 member municipalities are finding efficiencies so we can ensure people and goods can move seamlessly to, from and throughout the region. The EMRB would like to thank the Government of Alberta for its significant investment in this critical work. As the province’s population approaches five million, transportation networks have never been more important.”

Karen Wichuk, CEO, Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board

Projects across the province that are receiving funding include:

  • Highway 3 twinning, Taber to Burdett
  • Highway 11 twinning, Sylvan Lake to Rocky Mountain House
  • Safety and road improvements on Highway 881
  • The Highway 22/1A interchange at Cochrane
  • Highway 40 Twinning, south of Grande Prairie
  • Highway 201 Bow River Bridge on southeast Stoney Trail
  • Deerfoot Trail upgrades
  • Terwillegar Expansion

Budget 2024 also looks to the future by investing $151.2 million over three years for 56 engineering projects, with $100 million in new funding over three years for 36 engineering projects to address future infrastructure needs as our province continues to grow. This will fund projects such as:

  • Highway 60 capital improvements
  • Highway 40 grade widening between Hinton and Grande Cache
  • New intersection/alignment at Highway 16A and Range Road 20
  • Highway 2 Balzac Interchange Replacement
  • Highway 63 twinning, north of Fort McMurray
  • Vinca Bridge replacement

Budget 2024 is a responsible plan to strengthen health care and education, build safe and supportive communities, manage the province’s resources wisely and promote job creation to continue to build Alberta’s competitive advantage.

Key Facts

  • Alberta has a vast provincial highway network that includes more than 64,000 lane kilometres of highways, of which about 58,000 lane kilometres are paved.
  • The province has more than 4,800 bridge structures, including river crossing bridges, overpasses and culverts.

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Blackfalds

New Catholic Elementary School for Blackfalds

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News release from Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

RDCRS receives full construction funding for new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in Blackfalds

On Monday, March 4, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) received full construction funding from the Government of Alberta to construct a new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in Blackfalds.

“The full construction funding for the new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in the vibrant growing community of Blackfalds marks a significant milestone in our government’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art education infrastructure for our communities. This investment illustrates our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our students and ensuring they have access to modern, innovative learning environments,” stated MLA for Red Deer North and Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange.

RDCRS appreciates the construction funding provided by the Government of Alberta. Over the past several years, Blackfalds has seen tremendous growth. RDCRS’ current Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 9 school located in Blackfalds, St. Gregory the Great Catholic School, has grown by 64% since its establishment in 2017.

“We are very pleased to receive full construction funding for a new Catholic elementary school in Blackfalds. The funding will allow the division an opportunity to build a much needed new school and meet the learning needs of our Blackfalds students,” said Board Chair Murray Hollman at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

The schematic design for the new school has progressed smoothly since RDCRS received design funding from the Government of Alberta in March 2023. The plans look excellent and work is ongoing between Alberta Infrastructure and the Town of Blackfalds to ensure the steps to secure the land in the new development are completed. The land needs to be ready for construction according to the timelines and criteria established in the P3 project.

“We are pleased that the progress achieved thus far has demonstrated the collaborative efforts necessary to warrant this full funding announcement, “ added Board Chair Hollman.

The new school is expected to be ready for occupancy in September 2027.

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools serves over 10,650 students in 21 schools in Red Deer, Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Innisfail, and Olds. It also supports the learning of over 850 students in a Home Education Program. The Division is committed to serving children and parents with a complete offering of learning opportunities delivered within the context of Catholic teachings and within the means of the Division.

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