Red Deer Minute: Arbor Fire, Charity Pinch, and Bike Club Funding

Red Deer Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Red Deer politics

This Week In Red Deer:

• There will be a regular meeting of City Council today at 10:30 am. On the agenda are a few land use amendment bylaws, as well as a request to authorize a one-time capital budget contribution of $250,000 to the Water Treatment Plant Residuals Management Facility project funded from the Water Utility Capital Reserve to bring the project to completion.
  
  
• On Thursday, there will be a meeting of the Council Agenda Review Committee at 3:00 pm to discuss the draft agenda for the upcoming September 12th Council meeting.
  
  
• The City of Red Deer is inviting visual artists, art groups, and curators to submit their exhibition proposals for Viewpoint Gallery’s 2023 art exhibition program. All visual art media is eligible, including sculpture, painting, printmaking, photography, film, and more. The submission deadline is September 12th and more information is available on the City’s website.

Last Week In Red Deer:

• A study was released showing that Albertans have the highest rate of food insecurity in the country. Red Deer charities are feeling the pinch, with a 60% month-over-month increase in clients accessing the food bank. The Tools for Schools program, which gives out backpacks filled with school supplies, has already given out more backpacks than last year and is running short on larger backpacks for kids in grades 9-12.
  
  
• The Janet McLaren Cook Arbor gazebo, located south of the Gaetz Avenue bridge, was destroyed by a fire. Firefighters initially suspected that the fire spread to the structure from a garbage receptacle located nearby. No one was injured and there is no evidence of criminal intent.
  
  
• A local biking club has expressed their desire for the City to take a more active role in funding their well-used infrastructure. The Alberta Enduro Club said that the Red Deer Mountain Bike Park, which offers jumps and trails for beginner to expert riders, sees about 80,000 visitors a year, many from Calgary and Edmonton. The Club fundraised the capital for infrastructure and insurance costs, but noted that the City helps with funding and maintenance of soccer fields and ice rinks.

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