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Town of Blackfalds introduces safe “Exchange Zone” to protect online buyers and sellers

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From the Town of Blackfalds

Blackfalds Adopts Exchange Zone

Blackfalds has designated a safe ‘Exchange Zone’ thanks to the suggestion brought forward by community members to the Town’s peace officers and the Blackfalds Policing Committee.

Exchange zones provide a safe way for the public to exchange goods without the need to provide personal information or have strangers come to your home address.

“The need for a public location for exchanges to occur between people is something which has been brought forward in many communities as they grow,” explains Ken Morrison, Emergency Management and Protective Services Manager. “It provides [buyers or sellers] a place to arrange an exchange without having people attending their home.”

Morrison elaborated that the City of Edmonton implemented exchange zones in March of 2020 as there was an increase in online purchases, and consequently, crime in relation to those purchases. “The previous year, Edmonton Protective Services had made 77 arrests and laid 218 charges relating to the face-to-face buying and selling of online items. Internet communities all over [Alberta] have adopted these initiatives in the hopes of keeping people reasonably safe when making in-person exchanges.”

The Blackfalds exchange zone consists of two designated parking stalls and is located in the parking lot in front of the Protective Services building at 4405 South Street.

RCMP Sergeant Brent Dueck said that the location was chosen because of its already established security measures in and around the building and is manned 24 hours a day. “The Protective Services building was chosen as there are security cameras in place and outside lighting along with police officers and Fire Department personnel coming and going all hours of the day and night.”

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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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Blackfalds

Blackfalds Bulldogs Jr A Hockey Club announces finalized agreement to join the BC Hockey League effective immediately

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News release from the Blackfalds Bulldogs

The Blackfalds Bulldogs have announced a finalized franchise agreement with the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and are official members of the league, effective immediately. 

Prior to this agreement, the Blackfalds Bulldogs had agreed to terms on a framework of what joining the BCHL would look like. 

Along with the Blackfalds Bulldogs, the Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints will also join the BCHL starting this season. 

“The Blackfalds Bulldogs are thrilled to express our excitement to be joining the BCHL. The BCHL’s dedication and efforts in expediting this process in light of the AJHL decisions have not gone unnoticed and we are sincerely grateful for the commitment they have shown to ensure all our players have the opportunity to complete this season with competitive hockey. This swift transition in light of the AJHL’s decisions is a testament to the BCHL’s professionalism and passion for the sport. We eagerly anticipate the journey ahead and look forward to contributing our Bulldog Best to the vibrant hockey community that the BCHL represents,” said Doug Quinn, Owner of the Blackfalds Bulldogs Jr A Hockey Club.  

“We are pleased to officially welcome these five franchises into the fold as members of our league,” said Graham Fraser, Chairman of the BCHL Board of Governors. “All five are strong organizations from great communities and we look forward to the immediate boost they will give our league.” 

Due to the Alberta Junior Hockey League cancelling league games for the 2023-24 regular season, the five teams will engage in competition with each other as BCHL teams for the remainder of the season and will eventually crown an Alberta champion. Following the conclusion of the BCHL Playoffs, there will be an opportunity for the champion from Alberta to meet the champion from B.C. in a year-end competition. 

“With the unfortunate situation the Alberta teams have faced in recent weeks with having games cancelled in their previous league, it was imperative to us to get these players back on the ice in meaningful competition,” said BCHL Commissioner Steven Cocker. “This five-team schedule and postseason will give these athletes the chance to get in a full set of games for the remainder of the year, which is the most important thing to us.” 

The schedule for the Alberta teams starts tomorrow and can be viewed here.

Details for the post-season competition will be announced at a later date. 

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about this decision, visit our FAQ page here.

About the BCHL: 

Sending more players on to Division I college hockey every season than any other hockey league in Canada, the BCHL has established itself as a national leader in the development of young student athletes. Considering approximately a third of today’s NHL is made up of NCAA alumni, the BCHL has become a breeding ground for some the sport’s most elite and successful players. In 2022-23 alone, there were a league-record 190 players in the league with NCAA Division I scholarships. The BCHL is also a leader in player safety, with a full-time Department of Player Safety, the toughest rules on fighting in North American junior hockey, as well as a league-wide independent Safe Sport Officer and an individual Athlete Advocate assigned to all 17 teams.  

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