Red Deer Minute: Issue 208

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

📅 This Week In Red Deer: 📅

• This morning, at 10:30 am, there will be a meeting of City Council. The meeting will begin with a closed session, wherein Council will discuss three confidential matters - a Habitat for Humanity issue, a potential Capstone land sale, and a legal agreement with a third-party operator. When the meeting opens up to the public, around 1:00 pm, the agenda up for discussion is pretty light. Councillor Bruce Buruma’s Notice of Motion calling for a comprehensive review of Red Deer’s downtown parking system, will be discussed. The motion cites ongoing challenges and concerns from both residents and the business community. It highlights issues with the current paid parking system, including its negative impact on business patronage and the city’s reputation, despite receiving $2.7 million in provincial funding and being under a five-year contract with the system provider. Buruma is requesting that by the third quarter of 2025, and annually thereafter, the City provide Council with detailed financial reports, performance data, and information on grant and contract obligations to inform future decisions. He also proposes creating an Ad Hoc Committee to develop a Strategic Downtown Parking Plan. This plan would aim to improve public accessibility, incentivize downtown parking, simplify user experience, and strike a balance in enforcement practices.
  
  
• The City has reached an agreement with Heritage Ranch operator Joel Martens to keep the site open through October 6th, 2025, reversing its earlier decision to close the venue. The City had previously announced on May 26th that Martens would be replaced due to alleged non-compliance with contract requirements, which would have led to the cancellation of all future bookings and a temporary closure starting today. Martens, surprised by the announcement, had planned to challenge the decision legally. Under the new deal, Martens’ company can continue operations if it meets certain conditions. Services like the restaurant, horse-related activities, and scheduled events will continue as planned. The City will still move forward with finding a new long-term operator, with an open RFP closing July 11th. City officials say their main focus is maintaining reliable community access to public spaces like Heritage Ranch.
  
  
• Community associations in Red Deer’s Parkvale, Woodlea, and Waskasoo neighbourhoods are calling for more transparency and public engagement regarding the city’s affordable housing plans tied to a $12-million federal Housing Accelerator Fund grant. In a letter to City Council, they criticized the current consultation efforts as inadequate and similar to previous poorly received outreach during the land use bylaw review. The groups argue that upcoming open houses are not being properly advertised and that the online survey lacks clarity about major zoning changes, such as allowing up to four housing units on all low-density lots without community input. They also raised concerns about divisive survey questions that could undermine neighbourhood cohesion. The associations want clearer communication, additional open houses, and more details on how the funding will be used. City staff acknowledge the concerns and say engagement is still in its early stages, with more input and adjustments likely to come.
  
  
• Westerner Park has officially renamed the Centrium as the Marchant Crane Centrium, following a new naming rights partnership with Marchant Crane Inc. The announcement was made during a public unveiling on June 5th, with founder Chris Marchant emphasizing the company's commitment to community involvement and its roots in Central Alberta. Marchant Crane, based in Sylvan Lake, provides crane and lifting services across Alberta and sees the partnership as a bold step in deepening local connections. The venue will now feature updated exterior signage and digital displays reflecting the new name. This is only the third naming partner in the Centrium’s history, following ENMAX and Peavey Mart. The previous naming agreement ended after Peavey Industries announced store closures earlier this year. The CEO of Westerner Park noted that such sponsorships are crucial for funding community events that don’t generate revenue.
  
  
• Red Deer Emergency Services may hire up to 12 temporary paramedics for terms of up to 12 months to improve staffing flexibility, according to a recent agreement between the City and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 1190. These temporary paramedics will support ambulance operations exclusively, without fire suppression duties, and hiring will depend on budget availability rather than specific long-term absences. Fire Chief Ken McMullen described the agreement as a practical step to address staffing challenges previously limited to permanent positions. The City and IAFF share a commitment to maintaining safe, responsive emergency services amid changing demands. However, IAFF Local 1190 acknowledges the agreement is only a partial solution and does not address underlying staffing problems. Concerns remain about a staffing model that has allowed Station 2 to operate with fewer personnel, which the union says compromises public safety and firefighter well-being. Earlier this year, Local 1190 passed a non-confidence motion related to emergency service delivery, and a petition was launched over fears of an ongoing staffing crisis.
  
  
• Red Deer Polytechnic celebrated its largest-ever graduating class during its 61st Convocation on June 6th, with approximately 980 students receiving their credentials. President Stuart Cullum called the milestone a testament to the institution’s growth and the value it holds for students seeking quality education. Aubrey Reed earned the Governor General’s Academic Medal for achieving the highest academic standing, while Haley Nelson received the Alberta Teachers’ Association gold medal in education. The school also awarded honourary degrees to philanthropist Joan Donald and former Red Deer mayor Gail Surkan. Donald, along with her late husband, contributed over $26 million to RDP, while Surkan played a key role in strengthening ties between the institution and the community. Both honourees expressed deep appreciation for the recognition and emphasized the importance of education and community service.

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