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Diverse, Interactive, Educational - Plane History
A commemoration and celebration of the
history of
the Penhold military base
Harvard Historical Aviation Society
403-886-5711
hhac@penholdbase.com |
The Future of Springbrook and area
As much activity as has occurred in the past, the future
of Springbrook will likely see a lot more.
First, there is a major
expansion in the
residential area currently underway that, over the next five to ten years,
could double or triple the present population. This is occurring in the area east
of the current residential area toward the railroad tracks. Another
expansion of the Harvard Park residential area in the north-east
sector is currently underway. The
current two wells and reservoir will be able to handle a good portion of
the short term growth. A $10 million infrastructure upgrade will
replace aging water and sewer lines and rehabilitate
the roads.
As the population increases, so too will the services and businesses in
the area. There are plans for increased recreation opportunities
including a new major sports field. A new fire hall is now open and
Chinook's Edge School Division is looking at constructing an elementary
school and possibly a regional high school in the area.
(See map of proposed area structure
plan or concepts and summary of plan)
Secondly, there is projected to be a major expansion at the airport,
including lengthening the main runway to accommodate larger aircraft, an
increase in scheduled flights and an expansion of the business and
industrial base. Major announcements are expected soon on industrial
development.
In terms of road development, Highway 2A may be twinned in the future as the population and therefore traffic increases,
first from Red Deer to McKenzie Road, then from McKenzie to Springbrook,
and finally from Springbrook to Penhold. There will also be an
additional access road into Springbrook on the west side of the railway
north when Range Road 281 from the C & E Trail
just west of the County Building near 32
St. Red Deer is upgraded to a paved road.

A new access road from Highway 2A, near the old
ACR right of way, to Gasoline
Alley has opened paving the way for more development in
that area. Long term Red Deer plans foresee McKenzie Road
east of Highway QE2 being
part of a major arterial ring road expressway connecting with the future 20 Ave. on
the east side of the city when Red Deer reaches a population of 125,000.
Over the next few years, the Trans-Canada
Trail will be built either along the
Highway 2A-CPR-Waskasoo Creek corridor or along upgraded County roads with
the trail passing through Springbrook.
The section between Penhold and Springbrook will likely be built first,
followed by the Springbrook-Red Deer route. Both are planned to be
completed by 2010.
Developers
and the County also foresee trails built along with new residential
areas both in Springbrook and Gasoline Alley. The city will eventually
build a trail connecting Fort Normandeau with Heritage Ranch and possibly as far
south as the ACR
railway river bridge.
There are opportunities to
create tourist facilities showing the roles the river, the railway and the
C & E Trail had on the
heritage and culture of the region.
There is currently a proposal to create an aviation
heritage centre at Springbrook with emphasis on the Harvard and other
trainer aircraft as well as the role of the
former military base between 1939 to 1965.
And finally, high speed rail is a real possibility within the next ten
years, almost certainly running past Springbrook. It has been suggested that the
terminal be
located close to the airport but
it is more likely to be located closer to Red Deer. However, a proposed
urban design plan is recommending that a transit corridor between the
airport and the city be established.
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