Special Features - Report 2017

Special Publication

THE REPORT 2017

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Inside The Report 2 – SIGNS OF RECOVERING STARTING TO SHOW

C

entral Alberta is a region that does not give up without a fight.

While the last few years

3 – OIL PATCH HIRINGS SURGE AS DRILLING PICKS UP 4 – HWY 2 AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MAGNET 6 – A GLOBAL APPROACH TO LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 7 – SMALL BUSINESSES RESILIENT IN FACE OF CHALLENGES 8 – GASOLINE ALLEY BECOMING MORE THAN JUST A PIT STOP

have been bumpy for some businesses and entrepreneurs, others looked at the downturn as an opportunity to emerge stronger.

Today the Red Deer Advocate looks at the state of the region

Crystal Rhyno Advocate Managing Editor

from the Hwy 2 corridor, Gasoline Alley to right here in Red Deer.

9 – RETOOLING, DIVERSIFYING AND INNOVATING

We are excited and encouraged to share these stories with

10 – RAPID POPULATION GROWTH IN BLACKFALDS, SYLVAN LAKE

you in The Report.

Join us as we look to the future as the region recovers and

11 – MAKING COMMUNITIES WALKABLE WITH CARS IN MIND

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Signs of recovery starting to show

Z2 Thursday, November 9, 2017

B

REPORT ON CENTRAL ALBERTA

y most measures Central Alberta’s economy is on the road to recovery.

It has been a long and bumpy road for many businesses in Central Alberta. While some made it through relatively unscathed, such as those in the ag industry, those in Reg the energy sector would Warkentin tell you they might not ever get their businesses back to where they were.

While Statistics Canada is slow in publishing the data sets that would broadly quantify the state of our economy, what has been published paints an at least somewhat rosy picture. The September unemployment rate in Red Deer was 5.7 per cent. This is a markable increase from a year ago when it was 8.7 per cent, but also consider the size of the labour force has decreased and the participation rate with it.

Building permits for the entire province remain relatively flat, up 0.75 per cent from

a year ago. Ask home builders and construction companies how business is and you’re sure to get a mixed response. Other indicators show our population has increased, reversing the net population loss the city saw a year ago.

A great indicator of the overall health of our regional economy is oil and gas activity. Anyone that has driven through the many industrial zones in the city and county have seen the many service, drilling, and manufacturing companies. In response to low oil prices energy companies have retooled and refined their operations, allowing them to operate, make money, and even expand (or re-expand) their operations at sub $50 per barrel. Job boards and newspapers have been rife with advertisements looking for skilled labourers, truck drivers, and the like.

Signalling the industry has stabilized, the Petroleum Services Association of Canada expects next year’s activity to be about the same as this year’s, which is good news considering the increase in productive, well-paying jobs and subsequent increase of cash injected into our economy.

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Often overlooked is the (relatively) stable and invaluable economic contribution agriculture provides. While much of the energy sector saw their businesses decline by upwards of 80 per cent, farm cash receipts are up close to 30 per cent from five years ago.

A glance at the economic data available allows us to look forward with relative optimism as our economy continues to grow and businesses create more jobs.

However, we also need to recognize the many obstacles to growth and prosperity that persist, and the extensive role government policy has in shaping the future of our economy.

When the price of oil collapsed, we once again heard the cries for further diversification with many going as far to suggest a radical shift away from the energy industry altogether. The fact remains despite the dramatic cyclicality of the energy sector, the benefit arising from the ‘good’ years far outweighs the negatives arising from the ‘bad’ years. Despite increased vehicle efficiency, adoption of electric vehicles and alternative fuels, economists forecast oil and gas usage to increase well into the foreseeable future. With that in mind, it is essential we continue to support the industry that made Alberta the economic powerhouse it is and continue to pursue access to tidewater and new markets.

Over the past 30 years the economic output from the energy industry has in-

creased significantly while simultaneously decreasing as a portion of our overall GDP. This is despite the massive leaps in technology like in-situ extraction techniques that have opened up the oil sands and horizontal drilling and multistage fracking that has made other deposits that were thought to be inaccessible, economically viable.

Economic diversification is obviously an important goal, but we should remember that oil and gas and mining constituted exactly 16.4 per cent of Alberta’s GDP in 2016 which is a little less than 5 per cent more than the contribution from real estate.

For further economic growth and diversification, we need to continually work towards removing the barriers to growth and ensure that our country, province and more specifically Central Alberta provides a fertile and attractive landscape for investment that includes minimal red-tape and competitive taxes and other costs that will draw investment and reward the risks taken by entrepreneurs.

If we are able to avoid the pitfalls of complacency by continuing to encourage our governments to provide a business environment that is competitive and attractive to investment and support the efforts of economic development agencies, we can feel more than confident in our economic future.

Reg Warkentin is the policy and advocacy manager with the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce.

Thursday, November 9, 2017 Z3

REPORT ON CENTRAL ALBERTA

Oil patch hirings surge CENTRAL ALBERTA as drilling picks up

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BY SEAN MCINTOSH ADVOCATE STAFF

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he Canadian oil industry is recovering after a rough couple of years.

The number of hirings and oil rigs have increased in 2017 across the country, including right here in Central Alberta, said Mark Salkeld, Petroleum Services Association of Canada president and CEO. “Central Alberta is busy. It’s picked up significantly over the past while and it’s definitely a hot area.

“We’re picking up again. It’ll be slow and steady – it’ll take us a few years to completely recover as it’s not going to be a slingshot recovery,” said Salkeld.

PSAC is the national trade association representing the service, supply and manufacturing sectors within the upstream petroleum industry. There are more than 160 regular members in the association.

Over the last couple of years, PSAC has reported a decline in active oil rigs, said Salkeld, but that seems to have turned around in early 2017.

There was a big uptick in rig activity during the first quarter of the year, which set the stage for recovery in 2017.

“At the end of Q1, we were starting to see early signs of labour shortages,” Salkeld said. “Now we’re at an 80 per cent increase from our original forecast for 2017.”

“PSAC members have been looking for workers all spring, summer and fall in preparation for the winter and the increased levels,” he added.

The biggest reason for the turnaround in the industry is producers lowering costs, Salkeld said.

“Between producers cutting costs and finding efficiencies in technology, that’s helped us get people back to work,” he said.

In its July 31 forecast, PSAC estimated 3,604 wells to be drilled in Alberta this year, which is up from 1,900 wells in the original 2017 forecast.

Salkeld said he doesn’t expect to see numbers climb so significantly next year.

“We cut back wages, bonuses ... we had to revisit all associated costs, which we did.

“It’s quite nice to see the (steady) increase in jobs,” he said. “Going into 2018, it’s going to be flat, but flat at a higher level.

That’s what we’re thinking.”

PSAC’s latest forecast, released October 31, predicts 7,900 wells will be drilled

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During the industry downturn in 201516, PSAC Connect was introduced. The Connect program helped PSAC members recruit and retain workers, while sourcing new talent into the oilpatch industry “There are specific needs that our members need in Red Deer, Grande Prairie or anywhere in Alberta,” he said. “We fired that up about five or six months ago and it’s been helping our members find people for this winter and beyond.”

However, the industry hasn’t made a full recovery yet, Salkeld added.

“Our members are working, but we’re not making the greatest money. We still have to get our rates back, but that will come with time,” he said.

Mark Scholz, Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) president, said while the elevated levels of activity for oil patch workers is a good sign, the industry has a long way to go to fully recover.

“We’ve started to see a bit of some price stabilization and that is certainly helping, but the challenge is still that is a high-cost base industry to operate,” said Scholz.

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Z4 Thursday, November 9, 2017

REPORT ON CENTRAL ALBERTA

Hwy 2 an economic development magnet

BY PAUL COWLEY ADVOCATE STAFF

T

D Bank Financial Group opened a lot of eyes to Central Alberta’s enviable position more than a decade ago when it dubbed the Hwy 2 corridor “Canada’s western tiger.”

Bank economists pointed to a decade of “explosive real economic growth” topping most North American cities on the Edmonton-to-Calgary link.

“Today, the corridor is the only urban region in Canada to rival U.S. metropolitan areas in terms of both productivity and standard of living,” the bank said at the time.

A lot has changed since then. Alberta is slowly emerging from its worst economic recession since the early 1980s and oil prices remain stubbornly low.

While the western tiger may have lost a little of its bite there’s plenty of fight left.

Anyone cruising down the highway through Central Alberta will see significant activity at the interchanges with Blackfalds and Lacombe and in Red Deer County’s Gasoline Alley.

Where a handful of businesses once collected, sprawling industrial parks are taking shape or are in the planning stages.

Gasoline Alley continues to be a Red Deer County success story with growing numbers of national brands setting up shop and long-awaited residential development beginning to take shape.

Red Deer County Mayor Jim Wood said the importance of Gasoline Alley to the county cannot be understated. From its beginnings as a pit stop to highway travellers, the area has morphed into an economic engine that will generate more than $4 million in tax revenue, nearly three times more than the taxes collected from all of the county’s farmland.

Wood said there are many benefits to

Contributed graphic

Central Alberta communities are looking to Hwy 2 as a potential home for business development and growth including the proposed Midway Centre at the intersection of Hwys 2 and 12 near Lacombe. economic diversification for municipalities.

Among them is the easing of tax burdens on individual ratepayers by spreading the cost of running the municipality among commercial and industrial properties.

Red Deer County would like to duplicate — on a smaller scale — Gasoline Alley’s success further south at the Hwy 42 interchange east of Penhold.

A major area structure plan for the Hwy 2 and 42 intersection outlines a vision for commercial and industrial development on

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nearly 1,500 acres of prime highway-accessible land.

The reason the county is looking at Hwy 42 is clearly laid out in the plan.

“In order for the county to be financially, socially and economically sustainable, the county must look ahead and find new areas where employment lands may be located as the current supply of these lands starts to dwindle,” it says.

Besides other areas nearing the point of complete build-out, the county is also aware that a number of industrial parks, which are significant employers for county residents, will eventually be annexed to the City of Red Deer.

Further north, Blackfalds has seen the potential of its choice highway position and has joined forces with Lacombe County to make the most of it.

A joint economic development agreement was signed with the county several years ago to cut through red tape while working out an agreement to share tax revenues in the joint economic area.

“The agreement minimizes the impact of municipal jurisdictional boundaries, and encourages commercial and industrial development in the Joint Economic Area that benefits both municipalities.”

Lacombe County has also joined forces with City of Lacombe in what was billed as a “historic milestone” and involves the signing of agreements to service and develop the economically strategic intersection of Hwy 2 and Hwy 12.

The City of Lacombe said the newly created joint economic area “will open the doors for long-term economic development, which will help diversify and strengthen the region’s economy.”

Matthew Goudy, Lacombe’s acting chief administrative officer said what will be known as the Midway Centre “will provide some vital highway commercial frontage for Lacombe and has the potential to become an alternative destination for travellers between Edmonton and Calgary.

“Increased commercial development activity spawns greater interest in our community, which will promote business development across the city.”

Goudy said the area is zoned highway commercial development, which means it can accommodate retail, hotel and recreational facilities among other uses.

Midway Centre is zoned for highway commercial development, which can accommodate retail, hotel and recreational facilities among other uses.

REPORT ON CENTRAL ALBERTA

Building community

Thursday, November 9, 2017 Z5

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REPORT ON CENTRAL ALBERTA

A global approach to local economic development

BY PAUL COWLEY ADVOCATE STAFF

I

t’s a long way from Sylvan Lake to Guangzhou and Chengdu.

But Central Alberta economic development representatives routinely cast very long lines in hopes of snagging investment dollars.

Vicki Kurz, economic development officer for Sylvan Lake, was in those two Chinese cities earlier this year making pitches to investors.

It was not just a fishing expedition for Kurz. She went armed with three very specific investment opportunities backed up with information packages translated into Mandarin: a hotel with conference spaces and a water slide, amusement park and downtown commercial redevelopment.

Kurz also sees potential in finding ways to lure the many Chinese tourists passing through Alberta to make Sylvan Lake an overnight stop.

Red Deer County Mayor Jim Wood is a total believer in the effort to search for business continents away.

Wood is so convinced the trade mission are worth it, he paid his own way to China a number of times as one of Central Alberta’s representatives on provincial trade missions.

Those who are looking for Chinese investors must be prepared to play the long game, he said. Forming relationships and a level of trust is critical to making deals with Chinese business people, said Wood in a recent interview.

In other words, don’t expect to come back from a trade mission with a brief case full of signed deals. What you can come back with though are leads that may prove valuable down the road.

Wood said it is not all about looking for foreign cash. When he joins a trade mission he also plays the role of pitch man for

Photo contributed by Vicki Kurz

Sylvan Lake economic development officer Vicki Kurz and a Chinese delegate meet during a recent trade mission to pitch the town’s investment potential.

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Central Alberta. His status of mayor carries a lot of weight with Chinese business people.

Opening up foreign markets for Central Alberta producers would be a big boon.

There is foreign interest out there. While details are under wraps for now, he knows of a Japanese environmental company that sees potential at the petrochemical plants at Joffre.

Central Alberta: Access Prosperity is well aware of foreign potential.

The not-for-profit economic development organization focuses on promoting economic growth in the Central Alberta region.

As an example of its reach, the group

made sure it had a presence at the China International Petroleum and Petrochemical Technology and Equipment Exhibition last month.

It was the biggest show of its kind with 1,800 exhibitors from 65 countries pitching their wares.

Access Prosperity representatives were among 70 on an Alberta trade mission.

Pam Steckler, Access Prosperity investment attraction officer, who went on the trade mission, said earlier this year it is all about finding new leads that may lead to deals and investment in Central Alberta down the road. As well, the group always keeps an eye out for new export opportunities for area businesses.

Thursday, November 9, 2017 Z7

REPORT ON CENTRAL ALBERTA

Small businesses resilient in face of challenges

BY MAMTA LULLA ADVOCATE STAFF

Contributed photos

Sabrina Baker, owner of Fetch Haus in Red Deer, looked to expand when Alberta was in a recession period.

There is no recipe for small business success except a lot of hard work, perseverance and resilience.

Sabrina Baker, owner of Fetch Haus in downtown Red Deer, started her pet store business with husband Jesse, to fill a niche, which was missing in the market in 2011.

Her two dogs, Casey and Zack, were the driving force behind her business. She wanted specialty items and information for them. But overall she wanted to “cultivate a community of responsible pet ownership,” according to her website.

Baker, who is also a chartered accountant, said venturing into something new — that you can call your own — is both scary and rewarding.

Baker said it is not easy to open and run your own business. Small business owners often work 80 hours a week or more, and do not take a paycheque, she said.

Robin Bobocel, CEO at Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce, said there are market factors and regulatory bodies that can add to the challenges for small business owners.

Small business owners have it rough these days between the tough economic times and regulatory uncertainties like the proposed federal tax changes, a minimum wage hike and pending labour code changes, he said.

“Despite that, there’s optimism somehow,” said Bobocel.

Bobocel said Central Alberta business owners are resilient regardless the challenges that come their way, and they often find a way to succeed.

“They are innovative and know how to

take advantage of new ideas and turn them into viable businesses,” he said.

For example, he said, Catapult Entrepreneurs — an incubator program in downtown Red Deer helps take business ideas to market.

Catapult Entrepreneurs is a two-year incubation and acceleration program that began in April of 2017. The regional program supports Central Alberta supports entrepreneurs to build a strong business foundation and take their ideas to market.

Bobocel said there are areas like manufacturing and tech sector in Red Deer that can be looked at to create job opportunities locally.

Central Alberta is slowly creeping out of the recession that started in late 2014, he said. Businesses have found ways to stay afloat like changing the make up of their workforce or becoming more efficient in terms of how they run their venture.

While downgrading may have worked for some during the recession, upgrading worked for Fetch Haus.

When an opportunity presented itself, Baker took a plunge and opted for a bigger store to display all the products she wanted to carry.

“Recession or not, I wanted more space,” she said.

And Baker hasn’t looked back since.

“We certainly can be much busier. we are probably running at half capacity as far as what we can handle as a retail store, but we have become more efficient,” she said.

Baker said she cannot afford to advertise because times are tough so word of mouth goes a long way for many business owners. There are clients who come into her pet store to ask if her business is new.

“I think that’s great because it means we have a lot of growing to do,” she said.

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Ànd help and support in building and The idea for their Success 4 Business maintaining businesses.

“In and Z8 Thursday, November 9, 2017 the Expo came to Brenda through many cases I didn’t know where toher clients: manyso ofIwhom were involved direct them, thought wouldn’t it in business andsomething startups, and besmall beneÀ cial to have unwere asking her where theyThose could der one roof”, says Kolasa. Àexperiences nd help BY and support building were the in catalyst forand MAMTA LULLA ADVOCATE maintaining their businesses.

“In the formation ofSTAFF Success 4 Business many cases didn’t knowSuccess where to coupled withI the annual 4 During the last few years when most of direct them, so I thought wouldn’t it Business establishing SucCentral Alberta Expo. witnessed“By a recession, Red be beneÀ cial to have something unDeer County’s Gasoline Alley went throughthe Expo cess 4 Business and using a growth phase. der oneJimroof”, says Kolasa.

Those toMayor highlight what do, we’re Wood said we the county may able just be the learning prime example of diversifying experiences were the catalyst for to offer opportunities, relocal economy, the formation of Success Business sources, connections and4mentorship and not just relying the oil and the annual coupled with 4 to on small business ownersSuccess on a year gas sector. GasoBusiness Expo.

“Bysmall establishing Sucround basis.

Most businesses line Alley has seen an eight cent cess 4 per Business and using the Expo are 24/7 occupations that don’t shut growth rate during to highlight what we do, we’re able down when the same timethe doors are closed for most of Alberta exto offer learning opportunities, reperienced a recessources, connections and mentorship sion.

In the last few to small business owners on a year LISA BUCKINGHAM years, Gasoline round Alley — basis. along a Most small businesses stretch of Hwy 2 south of Red that Deer has are 24/7 occupations don’t shut seen an influx of new businesses including down when the doors areandclosed for accounting firms, hotels, restaurants a

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REPORT ON CENTRAL ALBERTA

Gasoline Alley becoming more than just a pit stop

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costs, minimal tape and lack Gasoline Alleyyour helpsSpring keep taxes for parking Book or low Summer tradeshow on therednew of issues such as homelessness and drug county residents, said Wood.

30,000 square foot exhibition floor.

In 2015, Trail Appliances relocated from use in comparison to other municipalities.

Available April to September.

Wood said the county has high developRed Deer’s Bremner Avenue to Lantern The new Pidherney Centre can accommodate your ment standards.

Street in Gasoline Alley.

We also•offer a full Meeting time onsite caterer and Business • Seminar Since this summer, the county has emLisa Buckingham, contract sales manfully renovated lounge. on construction projects to improve ager at Trail Appliances said they were barked • Wedding Reception • Christmas Party infrastructure looking to grow and neededand a bigger so much more. in the area. Upgrades include two roundabouts and upgrades to Wasspace. kasoo Avenue fromon Lantern “I do believe are Spring getting the Bookwe your orlarger Summer tradeshow the Street new to Leva Avenue. part of the market share being out here 30,000 square foot exhibition floor.

There will be housing development in than the location prior just because the Toto book your event: Available April September. exposure is stronger out here,” said Buck- the area as well, which will only attract more businesses, Woodand said. ingham.

We also offer a full time onsite caterer The housing development will be benShe said the business wouldn’t have fully renovated Email: curling@reddeercurling.ca eficiallounge. for businesses like Trail Appliances, done as well as it has during the downturn, said Buckingham. had it not moved.

Website: www.reddeercurling.ca “I don’t think it’s going to sky rocket by “With the retail aspect of our business, growth is I believe we would’ve had a harder year or any means but a slow, steady7240421J15 a harder two years being where we were,” what we have seen in the last few months andbook we feelyour positiveevent: it will continue on,” she said.

To Wood said more and more businesses said Buckingham.

The Alberta government is also spendmoving into the area. Without going into any further details, he said, “it will surpass ing $100 million on a complete redesign Email: ofcurling@reddeercurling.ca the Gaetz Avenue Hwy 2 interchange, anything we have seen so far.” which will improve traffic flow into the busiWood said the spike is due to various Website: www.reddeercurling.ca factors including an attractive tax rate, a ness district.

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REPORT ON CENTRAL ALBERTA

Retooling, diversifying and innovating during downturn

BY MURRAY CRAWFORD ADVOCATE STAFF

I

n times of economic peril, business owners and entrepreneurs try to adapt, innovate or diversify to stay afloat or come out of a recession stronger.

Businesses and entrepreneurs will approach the Red Deer College through its Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing with an idea and want access to the college’s tools and knowledge.

Naveen Anand, Red Deer College Applied Research and Innovation director, said many area and Alberta businesses used the centre for innovation in manufacturing to retool and diversify during the recession.

Anand said they have seen established businesses using the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing to innovate and adapt.

“We also a whole bunch of new businesses,” he said. “We are seeing a gradual trend towards clean and alternative energy.

The government is quite keen on that too.

“People in traditional industries, such as oil and gas, are looking at it. We’re seeing the shift here.”

Anand pointed to components of a wind turbine that were being worked on in the centre, not for the college, but for an area company.

“They have said, this is what they would like to see fabricated or this is what their idea is,” said Anand. “We help them out with that.

“We’ve seen this (wind), we’ve seen items related to solar energy and solar tiles. This is the new kind of industry.”

Not much can be disclosed about the businesses who used the college to innovate due to non-disclosure agreements and the protection of proprietary technology and equipment of the businesses trying to get ahead.

But some companies and the products that were developed in part at the centre are touted by the college. MPowRX Health and Wellness Products, based out of Calgary, used the centre’s technical expertise and prototyping as they developed the Good Morning Sleep Solution, an anti-snore device.

“This work was really on the critical path for us to go global with the product,” said Dr. Nancy Markley, MPowRx Health and Wellness Products president and CEO. “It led to our ability to scale the business and then evaluate new market opportunities not currently being targeted.”

Another example is the iTClamp, devel-

Photo by MURRAY CRAWFORD/Advocate staff

Naveen Anand, Red Deer College director of applied research and innovation, points to machinery in the college’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing. oped by Dr. Dennis Fillips, a retired combat trauma surgeon, and Dr. Ian Atkinson.

The clamp is designed to instantly clamp a compressible wound shut and promote natural clotting to stem blood loss.

Businesses have come to the college and the centre looking to make their operation more efficient.

“We work with them and they generally have an idea,” said Anand. “We’ll work with them fabricating a way to increase their production three- or four-fold. It reduces their unit costs and they’re better able to survive the recessionary market.”

Utilizing the college’s 3D printers, companies can turn their idea into a prototype that can then be used to show potential investors and help entrepreneurs get their idea off the ground.

“There’s no dearth of ideas, the question is whether the idea is a good business idea,” said Anand. “The college can help with that transition from idea to business.

Once you get the business idea, then you move into prototyping.”

The college will also work with Alberta Innovates and the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance program to look at ways to finance some of the projects.

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RUN November 2017

Z10 Thursday, November 9, 2017

REPORT ON CENTRAL ALBERTA

Rapid population growth in Sylvan Lake, Blackfalds

BY MURRAY CRAWFORD ADVOCATE STAFF

O

ver the past decade, Blackfalds has nearly doubled in population and that growth did not slow down despite the recession.

In 2016 and 2017, Blackfalds grew in population each year, by 8.15 per cent in 2016 and by 4.27 per cent in 2017.

Blackfalds mayor Richard Poole said the community is well suited for young families.

“We’re right in the corridor on Hwy 2,” said Poole. “But in addition to that, we have a community that is really ideally suited to young families. We’re progressive as far as providing services for families.”

Meanwhile, Sylvan Lake has also experienced a boom in population growth over the last five years and has enough residents to qualify for city status.

Between 2011 and 2016, Sylvan has grown by 19.6 per cent, rising from 12,362 to 14,816.

The two communities have consistently shown growth, even during an economic slow period.

“Our capital plans over the last few years have also been reflective of our population growth with new facilities such as the NexSource Centre being added to meet the growing demand for facilities and services from the town,” said Sylvan Lake Mayor Sean McIntyre.

But a key draw of Sylvan is what the town refers to as the “lake life,” a work-life balance that takes advantage of being on a large lake.

“Public infrastructure continues to top our capital plan priority list. We have short and long-term plans that continue the replacement of aging water and wastewater lines in our community. It’s vital our public infrastructure including roads, sidewalks and trails keep pace with growth in our

Advocate file photo

Crews get to work building a home in Blackfalds. Both Sylvan Lake and Blackfalds posted population growth in recent years. population,” said McIntyre.

Sylvan has about six new residential subdivisions under construction.

With the goal of a community geared towards young families, Blackfalds has built a number of recreation facilities including the Abbey Centre (a recreation facility), a skate park, a bike skills park and a Parent Link Centre, which offers childhood development, parent education and family support services.

“All of these are factors that make peo-

ple in our town realize its a great place to be and a great place to attract other people to,” said Poole.

Poole said the 2017 growth was down from what they’ve averaged over the last decade, which he said could be attributed to the recession.

“We look at ways to get things done and we work together to make it happen,” said Poole, who has served on the town’s council for 19 years and was recently elected mayor.

“When I started in 1995, we had a population of 2,000. Our claim to fame then was that we had no debt, now we have minimal debt, but we have a lot of facilities we’ve grown over the last 19 years.”

Blackfalds is working on a new commercial development called Blackfalds Crossing, located in the south end of the town near the roundabout. Poole said over the next five years it is expected to lead the growth of business developments in the community.

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.84477.3 .30044:x :xaaFF••44440044.8 .84477.3 .30044:h :hPP Town Charm • Fax:33403.748.3213 Phone: 112233.8 Small 403.748.4044 ac.yeltnebfonwot@ofni :liamE

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The Town of Bentley wishes to recognize the local businesses in our community, economic development and the

Dear Constituents, I am proud to be the Member of Parliament for the Red Deer-Mountain View riding. The people of this constituency are very hard working individuals. With determination and great effort, central Albertans have made our area an economic power house.

Again, congratulations Central Alberta for making our community a great place to live.

Yours truly,

Earl Dreeshen

M.P. Red Deer-Mountain View

Phone: 403-347-7426 866-211-0959 l Fax: 347-7423 l www.earldreeshen.ca

Thursday, November 9, 2017 Z11

REPORT ON CENTRAL ALBERTA

Making communities walkable with cars in mind

BUSINESS DISTRICT FEATURES RESTAURANTS, PATIOS, BANKS, A BREW PUB, GROCERY OUTLET, DRUG STORE, DAYCARE, SPRAY PARK AND PLAYGROUND AND MORE

BY LANA MICHELIN ADVOCATE STAFF

W

alkable neighbourhoods are a great concept — as long as there’s enough parking for cars.

That’s what Melcor learned while developing Clearview Ridge, Red Deer’s first neighbourhood designed with a “main street” commercial complex that’s linked to residential streets with walking paths.

Unlike the significant populations that use public transit in Calgary or Vancouver, Red Deer residents are overwhelmingly reliant on their vehicles, said Guy Pelletier, the Red Deer region’s vice-president of community development for Melcor Developments.

An awareness that people don’t want to walk too far, “especially in the colder and darker winter months,” has meant being cautious of building a neighbourhood that doesn’t have enough accommodation for cars, he added.

Although Red Deerians have differing notions on how far they are willing to walk to stores or restaurants, Pelletier believes the Clearview Market area was designed with a reasonable balance of parking spots and sidewalks.

Most residential sections of the subdivision are now complete, save for a seniors’ lodge, planned for the development.

Pelletier said Phase 1 of the Clearview Market has also been finished, with only a small amount of business turnover because of the rough economy. There are restaurants and outdoor patios, banks, a brew pub, grocery outlet, drug store, daycare, spray park and playground, medical offices, and smaller retailers, including cafes, women’s wear store, pet food store and others.

Phase 2 is now starting, with 10 acres southwest of the 30th-Avenue round-about being prepared for commercial development. Melcor is waiting to land a large anchor business before smaller retail spaces are planned around it.

The pedestrian-friendly “main street” — concept as well as more parking — will be extended in that direction as soon as that happens, added Pelletier, who believes the local economy is strengthening, with growing employment and more stable oil prices

Photo by LANA MICHELIN/Advocate staff

Clearview Market tries to combine Red Deer’s car culture with a walkable neighbourhood feel. within the $50 to $60 a barrel range.

“There’s more enthusiasm and optimism.”

So far, Red Deer’s walkable neighbourhood has gone over well with the public. Emily Damberger, planning manager for the City of Red Deer, has heard many positive comments from Clearview Ridge residents about being able to walk to a neighbourhood cafe and grocery — as well as to park trails.

The area near 30th Avenue and 67th Street will house about 10,000 residents once the northside of Timberlands is completed, as well as the Evergreen and Emerson subdivisions (north of Timberlands), and the region east of Garden Heights and north of Clearview Ridge.

The walkable neighbourhood concept will be applied to the north Timberlands commercial development, and is also being planned for the development on the east end of Ross Street.

The city’s manager of land and economic development, John Sennema, said the timing of the east Ross Street development will depend on how fast the city’s population grows. But if the economy continues to slowly improve, he expects it could happen in four to seven years.

CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWTH OF CENTRAL ALBERTA

All LOCALLY OWNED by MEMBERS OF YOUR COMMUNITY My CanadianTire ‘Money”

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Z12 Thursday, November 9, 2017

REPORT ON CENTRAL ALBERTA

Prime real estate open for development

BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF

D

oors are now open to developers who want to help revitalize Red Deer’s downtown hidden gem — Capstone at Riverlands.

The first call for expressions of interest, which is the first step in the land sale process, closed on Nov. 1.

Cory Edinga, Capstone project manager with the city, said the earlier a developer gets involved, the more ability they have to influence the shape of the downtown district.

“We hope to get one or two developers right off the bat that are interested and excited about getting things started and we’ll go from there,” Edinga said prior to the deadline.

“They will have more of an opportunity to help shape the future of the district. As we get further down the line and more development exists, then we’ll start being a little more strict about what types of new development we will accept and what’s it’s going to look like.”

He said the Capstone advantage is that

Small Town Feel

Honouring the Past, Challenging the Future

• Minutes away from your key retail and entertainment • 10 commercial bays available as well as a new commercial strip including Tim Hortons coffee shop and other personal services • Connecting pedestrian trail systems to modern regional recreational facilities • K to 12 schools with smaller class sizes • Family Orientated: Focus on providing family services/programs • Opportunity to become part of our family

OPENING 2018

it already has over 100 existing businesses that attract clients and shoppers.

Capstone at Riverlands, formerly known as just Riverlands, is almost 37 hectares, located directly west of the downtown commercial core on the bank of the Red Deer River. It includes the former city public works yards, Cronquist Business Park, Carnival Cinemas, the Old Brew Plaza and other commercial businesses and residential buildings.

The vision for Capstone is a mixeduse urban neighbourhood with lively commercial streets, a variety of medium and high-density housing, public spaces and green space to draw people year round.

The city owns about 10 hectares of developable land, including land for roads and parks.

The $30-million Capstone project includes $10 million for upgrades to existing public infrastructure, and $20 million for new servicing, roads and parks. About 75 per cent of upgrades to underground utilities are completed.

Capstone at Riverlands, Historic Downtown and the Railyards make up Red Deer’s three downtown districts.

Amanda Gould, executive director of

· 67 full service RV Park · New water reservoir for future growth · New commercial/industrial lands for opportunities/expansions

• Multiplex hosts: - NHL size ice surface - State of the Art fitness facility - Indoor walking track - Regional Library and services - Community gymnasium/programs/events - Weekly market

facebook.com/townofpenhold @TownofPenhold instagram.com/townofpenhold

Check us out www.townofpenhold.ca

Contributed photo

The $30-million Capstone at Riverlands project features about 37 hectares of land adjacent to downtown Red Deer. The city is embarking on an extensive redevelopment project.

Red Deer Downtown Business Association, said attracting more people to live in the downtown, and creating more reasons for people to visit through Capstone is great for downtown businesses.

“There is such great connectivity between Riverlands and Historic Downtown, people will be able to circulate the whole area,” Gould said.

Historic Downtown and Capstone are different, but complementary, and it would be nice to see a hotel built in Capstone.

Right now the only downtown hotel is Baymont Inn & Suites, she said. “(Downtown) is first place you visit when you’re visiting. It’s where you go to see what the city is really like,” Gould said.

Robin Bobocel, Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber wants to see a vibrant downtown that’s safe and pleasant to visit, shop in, but also live.

“It’s part of the downtown revitalization that needs to happen in the city. It represents a new way of living in Red Deer and it has the potential to be really exciting,” Bobocel said.

He said some cities shy away from development near rivers, but Red Deer sees the river as a draw for development.

“It’s a huge opportunity for Red Deer to showcase itself as forward thinking. It signifies that Red Deer is an innovative city because you see a lot of these developments in larger centres.”

He said Capstone is an opportunity for the chamber to grow to create a healthier

business environment for the city and region.

“It’s a bold vision and we hope the city not only recoups its investment, but that it pays long term dividends for downtown,” Bobocel said.

Edinga said interest in Capstone has been peaked locally and beyond.

“We’ve been talking to some local developers. We’ve been talking to some provincial developers and some even outside of the province, whether that’s from Vancouver, Toronto. There’s some that have been showing some interest so we’ll see who actually comes to the table.”

He said the downtown is always key to the success of any community, and downtown redevelopment through Capstone will be an economic catalyst for the city.

“The fact that we’re pushing forward in significant investment in new infrastructure and public amenities and parks, that’s going to help the community. As we get interest from private developers, whether that’s on existing sites or whether that’s on some of our new vacant sites, that’s going to help the Red Deer economy as well.”

Edinga said Capstone at Riverlands could be compared to the redevelopment of Calgary’s East Village along the Bow River, but on a smaller scale, where the focus has also been on a mix of commercial and residential development.

“There’s lots of similarities. The only difference is Calgary is building 30-storey buildings and in Capstone we’ll be building five, 10-storey buildings.”

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r e d d e e r a d v o c a t e. c o m

Red Deer College is Committed to Innovation Red Deer College is a leader in innovation and growing to meet the needs of learners and communities in our region. RDC’s students, staff and instructors have the knowledge, skills and attitude to contribute to the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of Alberta in a variety of ways.

INNOVATIVE TEACHING:

INNOVATIVE FACILITIES AND PROJECTS:

Over 100 different programs

• The Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre/Centre des Jeux du Canada Gary W. Harris will provide facilities for teaching and learning, athletic, recreational and community activities. This will also be an event venue when The City of Red Deer hosts the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

5 Collaborative Degrees

16 Diplomas

51 University Transfers

31 Certificates

15 Apprenticeships

1 Graduate Certificate

• RDC’s Alternative Energy Lab will be used for teaching and learning, applied research and to help reduce RDC’s carbon footprint. Our Alternative Energy Initiatives will create and save the equivalent energy:

Academic Upgrading, Transitional Vocational, and Open Studies 1,000 non-credit courses and programs RDC instructors are experts in their field. Four instructors were recently recognized by the College and their colleagues for their significant scholarly undertakings.

RDC’S ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE: AND OVER

RDC CONTRIBUTES MORE THAN

$327 MILLION

TO CENTRAL ALBERTA’S ECONOMY

$601 MILLION

TO THE PROVINCIAL ECONOMY

900

MORE THAN STUDENTS ENGAGE IN PRACTICUM AND WORK EXPERIENCES IN MANY SECTORS IN CENTRAL ALBERTA.

REQUIRED TO POWER

AVERAGE 1,300 ALBERTA HOMES

OF REMOVING

1,100

CARS OFF THE ROAD ANNUALLY

• A new Residence, with 145 studio suites, will meet the needs of learners living on main campus. This facility will be clad with solar panels, showcasing RDC as one of the leaders in Canada for this type of innovation.

RDC’S CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE:

RDC’S SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE:

• Hosting close to 50 different school and community organized events each year in our Arts Centre and at the Welikoklad Event Centre, focused on enriching our region’s arts and culture scene.

• Hosting diverse speakers each year, including public events such as Perspectives: Canada in the World, the Donald School of Business’ Distinguished Speakers’ Series, and the Kings and Queens Scholarship Breakfast.

• RDC’s Permanent Art Collection, which contains more than 1,000 art objects, valued at more than $2.5 million. This is one of the strongest college art collections in western Canada. This art is used as teaching tools, as well as being displayed on our campuses for the public to enjoy.

• The Virtual Reality & Cooperative Trades program, which provides Indigenous students in our region the opportunity to develop the practical skills, knowledge and experience needed to build rewarding welding careers.

Through our innovative programs, facilities and services, Red Deer College looks forward to serving our learners and our communities now and in the future. Visit us in person or online at rdc.ab.ca.

• Our instructors, who publish a variety of materials each year. The College recently celebrated the release of books by three RDC instructors.