The City of Red Deer is hoping the provincial government will help fund a legacy project for the city’s 2013 centennial.
After receiving an update on the projects and celebrations for the City of Red Deer’s special birthday, Coun. Cindy Jefferies said she wondered about what kind of legacy the city was leaving.
“I have some reservations of how we’ll look back in history,” she said.
Jefferies said it’s sad there’s no big iconic project planned for 2013, so she hopes the province would contribute.
“I’m sure we could find a suitable project if they wanted to give us a legacy,” said city manager Craig Curtis.
During Monday’s council meeting, Coun. Dianne Wyntjes added it’s only 217 days to the big day that Red Deer was incorporated as a city.
Centennial committee chair Sheila Bannerman said everyone from businesses to neighbourhoods and residents can get involved and start up their own events.
“We’re really excited,” said Bannerman. “We have signature events but that’s just the bare bones.”
The centennial committee has organized events, including four key signature ones — a kickoff skating party on Dec. 31, a homecoming weekend including the River of Light on June 29 to July 1, an old-fashioned fall fair on Sept. 21, and a fire and ice event at City Hall Park on Dec. 12.
Council also endorsed a centennial shrub, known as the ivory halo dogwood, a flower, called the tiny hope lily, and the tree known as hot wings tatarian maple. People will be able to buy those at various nurseries in the area, but if they buy through Parkland Nurseries, some of the proceeds will be returned to the centennial committee to use in event planning.
Council also approved the centennial branding of various projects, including the skateboard park downtown. Exactly what that branding would look like has yet to be ironed out.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com