A future vision for Red Deer moved closer to reality with city council’s approval of the $102.7 million capital budget and the $1.3 billion capital plan on Tuesday.
As the city reaches 100,000, there are growing pressures to meet the needs of the residential and industrial areas. The no-frills budget was adopted as one that is preparing for growth and development.
Coun. Dianne Wyntjes said it would always be nice to have more of what she calls “social things such as recreational amenities and cultural facilities in the budget.”
Wyntjes said there are competing needs throughout the community that must to be balanced in order to serve the interests in each section of the community. Several councillors echoed her sentiments during Tuesday’s debate.
The 2014 capital budget allocates dollars for reconstructing streets and building and improving public facilities such as recreation centres, parks and community halls on an annual basis.
Seven new single and multi-year projects were approved, including the 2019 Canada Winter Games in principle. The games bid did not come in play for the 2014 capital budget but will impact future budgets.
While many people may not give much thought to sewer pipes and water mains, the infrastructure is essential for preparing for the growth.
Coun. Frank Wong was happy with the overall direction of the evolving plan but was disappointed that the next phase of the G.H. Dawe Community Centre revitalization project, including the twinning of the rink, is not on the books for another 20 years.
Wong said the project has been pushed back in anticipation of Red Deer College building its multiplex consisting of two ice surfaces that would likely require city support. Work on the estimated $30.5-million G.H. Dawe project is expected to come after 2024.
Wong said the college rink is a good plan but does nothing for the estimated 35,000 people who live in North Red Deer.
“It doesn’t matter where the hell they build it if it’s not in North Red Deer,” said Wong. “It doesn’t help the people there. Lacombe, Sylvan Lake and Innisfail have just over 10,000 people and we have 35,000 people and we have one bloody rink.”
Wong said he would like to see the G.H. Dawe project started as early as 2016 or 2017.
He also expressed frustration over the planned North Red Deer Regional Community Centre (77th Street and Taylor Drive), which he said was taking too long to build.
The centre was initially expected to be running in the fall of 2016.
But Deb Comfort, Neighbourhood Facilities and Community Development supervisor, said the city has not planned or built a regional centre before and they want to get it right so it is relevant for the community. The project has been in the works for three years.
A traffic study is underway and the site concept plan is being updated. The plan is expected to go out to various community groups and potential partners next spring. A budget estimate will be completed in 2015, with construction to begin in 2017.
The Normandeau Activity Centre is the only community centre north of 67th Street and west of Gaetz Avenue and serves eight residential communities.
A portion of several multi-year projects, including the North Highway Connector project, were approved; $17 million over two years will be spent on a roundabout at the intersection of 30th Avenue and 67th Street.
The overall project is designed to provide access to the Red Deer’s northeast and northwest growth areas and to relieve future pressure on the Gaetz Avenue and 67th Street intersection, reduce congestion on existing roadways and act as a bypass route for highway traffic. Much of the connector project is dependent on provincial funding.
But the 2014-23 capital plan does not necessarily mean the project will go ahead but indicates that the city is considering the project.
On Jan. 7, council will be back crunching numbers as part of the annual operating budget, which covers the day-to-day costs for services and programs.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com