Red Deer Minute: Timing Technology, New Beds, and the Cardiac Catheterization Lab

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 this morning at 10:30 am. The agenda includes the Quarterly Community Policing Report, the Regional Collaboration Committee Terms of Reference Review, and an update on the Extended Producer Responsibility Process. Near the end of the meeting, Council will have a private discussion about a Human Resources matter.
  
  
• On Tuesday, the Nomination Committee will meet at 10:00 am. The Committee will discuss the Nomination Package,Nomination Form, and Scoring Matrix for the Policing Committee.
  
  
• The Committee of the Whole will meet on Thursday. No agenda or time is available yet.

Last Week In Red Deer:

• The provincial budget included $3 million in startup funding and ongoing support for an interim cardiac catheterization lab at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. This temporary facility will provide critical cardiac services about three years earlier than initially planned as part of the hospital's $1.8-billion redevelopment. Construction is set to begin in fall 2025, with the lab expected to open in early 2027. The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation is funding the $22-million project, supported by a $10-million donation from the John Donald family.
  
  
• Safe Harbour Society secured 150 bed frames and mattresses from the former army base in Springbrook to improve conditions for shelter guests. The new beds, expected to be ready by April, will replace floor mats that guests previously slept on. This initiative was made possible through a $7,500 donation from The Remnant Church, whose pastor spent a week living outside to better understand homelessness. While the beds are a welcome addition, the shelter now faces challenges in providing enough sheets and pillows, as well as maintaining laundry facilities. Safe Harbour is working on solutions to ensure guests have all the essentials needed for a comfortable night’s rest.
  
  
• The Michener Aquatic Centre has upgraded its timing technology with a new semi-automatic system installed by the Red Deer Masters Swim Club. The Time Drops system improves accuracy and efficiency by automatically starting races and logging times when volunteers press a button, with results instantly displayed on screens and mobile devices. The $5,400 project was largely funded by a $4,700 grant from the City of Red Deer, with the swim club covering the remainder. While the upgrade has been well received by swimmers, coaches, and parents, local aquatic groups continue to push for broader facility improvements.

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