Red Deer Minute: Legion Efforts, Bridge Rehabilitation, and a Hospital Contractor Chosen

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

This Week In Red Deer:

• There are no Council or Committee meetings this week. The next meeting of City Council will take place on September 3rd.
  
  
• Construction on the old 55 Street underpass, south of the CPR Pedestrian Bridge, is underway as part of the bridge rehabilitation project. The underpass is being demolished to allow for future construction access and pathway adjustments. Demolition, which includes removing the bridge structure, installing storm infrastructure, grading the site, and building a temporary pathway, is expected to finish by September 6th, depending on the weather. During this time, the CPR Pedestrian Bridge will remain open, but access from 55 Street will be closed, with pedestrians redirected to Gaetz Avenue.
  
  
• The Red Deer Royal Canadian Legion No. 35 is working to revitalize its organization amidst declining membership, which has dropped from 4,000 to 1,200 over the past two decades. To attract more members, a new events planning committee has been established to organize entertainment, theme dinners, and special activities. The Legion is also planning community outreach, such as involving local schools in creating a mural and expanding opportunities for youth bands.

Last Week In Red Deer:

• The Province has selected Clark Builders as the contractor for the Red Deer Regional Hospital redevelopment project. Clark Builders will oversee the construction of a new patient tower and extensive renovations to the existing hospital, with work expected to start in early 2025. The project, valued at over $1.8 billion, will add 200 inpatient beds, expand the emergency room, and introduce new facilities including cardiac catheterization labs and a centralized power plant. Site preparation has already begun, and a new ambulatory building will be developed through a public-private partnership, with its contractor to be chosen by May 2025.
  
  
• The Red Deer District Chamber, along with other Canadian Chambers and Boards of Trade, has voiced serious concerns about potential work stoppages at CP KC and CN Rail. They are urging the federal government to act quickly to prevent disruptions. The Red Deer Chamber warned that such stoppages could lead to higher prices, shortages of essential goods, and impacts on various industries, including automotive and construction. The stoppages could also harm Canada’s international trade reputation and disrupt the supply of critical resources like water treatment chemicals.
  
  
• Numbers showed that, in July, Red Deer experienced a decrease in home sales compared to both June and July of the previous year, with 177 units sold, down from 194 in June and 195 last July. Despite this drop, year-to-date sales are slightly up at 1,155 units, compared to 1,140 units at the same point last year. The average sale price in July was $368,621, which is lower than June's $369,736 but higher than July 2023's $337,703. Homes in Red Deer took an average of 30 days to sell in July, a slight increase from 27 days in June but a decrease from 41 days last July.

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