Ontario native Mark Collings moved his family to Red Deer in 2010 because he saw “the potential of this city.”
Fourteen years later, he believes Red Deer has given his kids a better public school education that they would have received in Ontario — as well as many opportunities for himself and his wife, an early childhood educator.
Relocating west, “I think has worked out very well” said Collings.
Although our downtown is grappling with social problems, as are many city centres across Canada, he still feels positive about Red Deer’s future.
The local filmmaker and producer is showing his fondness for his adopted community through a new series he’s making for the Telus Optik Channel. The Crossing: The Story of Red Deer is being made with Telus StoryHive funding, and will be available for viewing in September.
Collings believes all cities have their roots in geography, community and people.
While Red Deer has origins around the crossing point on the Red Deer River between Calgary and Edmonton, the city actually sprang up a few kilometres east, since Reverend Leonard Gaetz offered this land at no cost to the railways.
Six episodes of the series will recount: the history of the C&E Trail; Bower Ponds and the story of Quebecers who came to run the sawmill; the opening of the Cenotaph; various people who helped shaped the city; Mickey the Beaver and Kerry Wood; parks; and new and old businesses.
Also featured in a 25-minute episode will be notable schools. Collings said Lindsay Thurber is one of Canada’s most comprehensive schools while Westpark Middle School is the first in Canada designed by students.
Through interviews about Sunnybrook Farm, Canyon Ski Hill, Farmers Market and other local attractions, Collings said his documentary will explore the community’s growth and seek to understand its strength and resilience. People connected to key events will tell their own story.
He is also currently doing a film project funded by the historical society of Alberta called Hometown Asylum - The Story of the Ponoka Hospital (based on the book by Jack Martin). More information can be found at www.hometownasylum.com.
Collings noted mental health has been top-of-mind issue for Canadians over the past few years, and the story of the Ponoka Hospital will offers audience an overview of the evolution of care for the mentally ill. He expects to complete this video by the fall.
Collings has made a previous documentaries on local gardens (it can be viewed at growingcommunity.ca) and the Métis community (Hiding in Pain Sight). For the AMI TV channel, he made The Awakeners, a television series about Indigenous people with sight and hearing impairments.