Red Deer Minute: Chuckwagon Track, Parkvale Neighbourhood, and the Fare Assistance Program

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

This Week In Red Deer:

• There will be a City Council Regular Meeting on Tuesday at 9:30 am. The meeting begins with a closed session, wherein Council will discuss an Electric Utility Governance Review. When the meeting opens back up to the public, the agenda includes Council Options for Backyard Suites, a Capital Budget and Plan Amendment for an Indigenous Cultural Centre, and a Zoning Bylaw Project - Progress Report.
  
  
• The Housing and Homelessness Integration Committee will meet on Wednesday. No agenda or time is available for this meeting yet. The City Council Community Investment Day will take place on Thursday. No agenda is available for this yet either.
  
  
• Westerner Park’s chuckwagon track is undergoing a major upgrade thanks to significant community contributions ahead of the 2025 North American Pony Chuckwagon and Chariot Races. McWilliam Corporation provided high-quality sand, while Marshall Construction handled transportation, and Westerner Park board member Jeremy Moore volunteered his equipment and time for grading. In total, 91 truckloads - over 3,000 metric tonnes - of material have been delivered to restore the track surface. Organizers say the improvements will enhance both racer performance and safety.

Last Week In Red Deer:

• Red Deer has made its transit fare assistance program permanent following a successful pilot project launched in 2023. The program offers eligible riders monthly passes at discounts of up to 55%, helping improve transit access for low-income residents without affecting regular fare sales. To continue receiving the discount, eligible participants must renew by May 31st, 2025, and meet criteria such as receiving AISH, GIS, or Alberta Income Supports. Over 2,200 people have already been approved, with most opting for the reduced $34 monthly pass. City officials say the initiative supports goals around affordability, safety, and sustainability.
  
  
• Residents of Parkvale, Red Deer's oldest neighbourhood, said they are preparing to take legal action to stop developments they believe threaten the area’s historic charm. A local lawyer and member of the Parkvale Community Association intends to file an injunction in court next week. Over 50 residents gathered recently to express frustration over proposed zoning changes that could allow four-plexes and other high-density housing without community consultation. Concerns have grown since Red Deer received $12 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, which requires cities to adopt more permissive zoning. Locals argue that redevelopment should be focused on already vacant areas like Capstone rather than disrupting established neighbourhoods.
  
  
• Red Deer Polytechnic has received a $600,000 donation from the RBC Foundation to create a new Energy Test Hub within its Energy Innovation Centre. The facility includes a flexible microgrid for testing technologies like solar power, wind generation, battery storage, and EV charging systems. This initiative is expected to involve 2,500 students and 100 industry partners over the next five year. The project supports RDP’s goal of becoming a net-zero energy campus by 2031 and net-zero carbon by 2041. In recognition of the donation, RDP has named its solar-covered walkway the “RBC Solar Walkway.”

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