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The Future of Springbrook and area
 The Springbrook
Waskasoo area will likely see a lot of activity and development in the
next few years and beyond.
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.
It is expected that the
current two wells and reservoir will be able to handle a good portion of
the short term growth in Springbrook. A $12 million infrastructure upgrade
has been completed in the older residential area, the airport and
Harvard Park
that replaced aging water and sewer lines. Roads have also been repaved.
In addition, road signs and light standards have been replaced to
reflect the area's heritage.
 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 has been built and
Chinook's Edge School Division is looking at constructing an elementary
school and a regional high school in Penhold.
(See map of proposed area structure
plan or concepts and summary of plan)
 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. Eventually, 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.
Meanwhile, a new access road into Gasoline Alley from Highway 2A, near the old
ACR right of way at Lantern
Street, has been constructed, paving the way for more development in
that area. It is anticipated that a community of up to 8,000 residents
could eventually be developed in that area.
Alberta Transportation plans a major reconfiguration of access to
Highway 2A and Gasoline Alley in the next few years.
Long term 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 portion of Trans-Canada
Trail constructed in the treed area south of Springbrook will be
extended further south to Penhold and north to Red Deer with
additional trails within the Springbrook community. Another trail is
planned to connect Springbrook with the Red Deer River.
 Developers
and the County also foresee trails built within the new residential
areas both in Springbrook and Gasoline Alley. The city will eventually
build a trail connecting Fort Normandeau with Heritage Ranch and along
the river corridor possibly as far
south as the ACR
railway river bridge where a trail to Sylvan Lake is envisioned.
There are opportunities to
create tourist facilities showing the roles the river, the railway, the
airport, the military base and the
C & E Trail had on the
heritage and culture of the region.
 Currently
plans are under way 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 1995 with emphasis on the NATO
training period. The first phase will be the replication of an H-Hut.
There is also a plan for a heritage railway station resort and family
park to be located somewhere between Fort Normandeau and Springbrook in
the next five to ten years.
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 that concept is falling out of favour. The proposed
Springbrook Heritage Urban design plan is recommending that a transit corridor between the
airport and the city be established.
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Small town lifestyle...
big city convenience
Just a short 4 min. drive to Red Deer,
Springbrook is a fully integrated community with a vibrant mix of single
and multifamily homes, parks, paths and green spaces. It is a place that
encourages interaction with the community, its residents and the
surrounding natural environment.
4836-51 St. Red Deer
Tel: 403.340.4000
Fax 1.866.316.9367
sales@malibucommunities.com
www.malibucommunities.com
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