Internet Property Development

Everything for effective websites
Copywriting, Proofreading,
Interactive web design,
Search engine optimization

886-2640
paul@abundancenet.com

 
More Springbrook and Area News
April 2006

Apr. 28, 2006
Red Deer Regional Airport Reports Surplus
Although operating costs were similar to last year, revenues at the Red Deer Regional Airport have increased substantially in spite of the departure of Regional 1 Airlines. There were 45,000 take-offs and landings recorded in 2005 compared to 39,000 the previous year due to an increase in business charter flights. Peace Air still offers scheduled passenger service to Grande Prairie, Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Edmonton and several other communities. More improvements are being planned to the facilities and another passenger carrier is being pursued.

Apr. 26, 2006
New Red Deer County Road Under Construction; Creates New Link to Gasoline Alley
Roadwork began recently on the extension of Lantern Street in Gasoline Alley to Highway 2A. The new roadway which is expected to be completed this year will create a new and safer route for Red Deer motorists to get to and from Gasoline Alley which contains several major businesses including Costco and Staples. Currently many motorists attempt to cross three lanes of high speed traffic on Highway QE2 to get to the growing commercial and industrial area. Meanwhile a 1.5 km stretch of Highway 2A has reduced speed limits during the construction period.

Apr. 22, 2006
Penhold Poised for Growth
Twelve residential building permits have been issued so far this year in Penhold, a 200% increase over last year, and a proposed 45 lot residential subdivision is poised for construction to start this summer. The town, with a population of 1,750, is also hoping to start construction next year on a multi-plex facility that would include an arena, gymnasium, walking track, library and meeting rooms.
 
Apr. 21, 2006
County to Hold Information Meeting re Springbrook Sewer Upgrades
Red Deer County will have an open house on May 25 so Springbrook residents can learn about the County's plans for upgrading the hamlet's water, sewer and road network. Construction was to start this May but because only one contractor bid on the project and the tender was $3 million over budget, the County decided to delay the work and re-tender this summer or fall in a series of smaller projects rather than one large one. As a result, the project will be delayed for about one year. The project costs will be covered by provincial and federal grants and a long term loan.

Apr. 17, 2006
Springbrook Man Survives Being Hit by Train
Twenty-year-old Jesse Maggrah, listening to heavy metal music on his headphones and walking alongside the tracks, is very lucky to be alive after being hit by a train on Sunday afternoon around 2:30 pm just north of Springbrook on his way to Red Deer. Train personnel were able to slow the train to 50 km/hr before impact after blowing the horn several times. Jesse was taken to hospital in Red Deer, where he expects to be for a few days with non life threatening injuries including bruises and several broken ribs. He lives in Springbrook with his father and works at Central Alberta Truss near the airport.

Apr. 14, 2006
Decision on Police Academy Expected by Mid-May
The provincial Solicitor General department is expected to short list several bids for a provincial police academy in early May and make a decision by mid-May. Eleven communities in Central Alberta have expressed interest including Red Deer County at Springbrook, Penhold, Lacombe, Stettler, Olds, Rocky Mountain House, Trochu and Three Hills. The academy will prepare up to 400 recruits and 1,000 peace officers annually and provide professional development for experienced members. Students would include local police officers, prison guards, special constables, conservation and wildlife officers.

Apr. 11, 2006
Springbrook Infrastructure Rehabilitation Delayed One Year
Red Deer County has decided to delay the rebuilding of water and sewer lines in Springbrook as a result of the lone tender for the project coming in $3 million over budget. The project will be re-tendered in the fall as three or four separate projects as contractors have suggested. Most potential bidders had indicated that the project, considered high risk as there is a significant risk of finding unexpected problems in a system that is more than 50 years old, would be more manageable as smaller projects. The County is planning an Open House soon to explain in more detail the reasons for postponing the rehabilitation.
Land Preparation Under Way for Springbrook Subdivision
Over the last couple of weeks, heavy equipment has been preparing the land north of Airport Road and east of the existing residential area of Springbrook for the first phase of a 95-acre multi-phase residential subdivision called Malibu communities. Thirty-six lots have already been sold to five or six housing developers for construction once the land preparation is complete. The first phase will be single detached houses but future phases could include medium density housing options. Preliminary estimates suggest up to 600 lots when the project is fully built out. On the other side of Springbrook in the Harvard Park area, preparation work on 61 lots is expected to start soon.
County Mill Rate Reduced But Assessments Up
On Tuesday, Red Deer County approved the mill rate for 2006. The municipal mill rate for residential was reduced from 3.91 in 2005 to 3.61 for this year. The provincial education rate is also lower this year. However, property assessment values are significantly up this year resulting in a tax increase for roughly half of County residents. The rate of tax growth is still lower than that of the City.
A-Soo-Wuh-Um Campground to be Rebuilt for Day Use Only
After severe damage from last year's floods, the A-Soo-Wuh-Um campground near Penhold on the Red Deer River will be rebuilt as a Day Use Facility only with structures that can handle future flooding. Although the province will provide funding to rebuild, they have made it clear that since the area is on a flood plain, they will not provide funding in the event of future flooding damage. Better access to the river for boaters and several improvements in the form of open gazebos, picnic shelters, tables, charcoal firepits, a playground and landscaping are expected to be ready for use by the May long weekend.
Springbrook Playgrounds to be Rebuilt in 2008
Due to increasing higher standards for playgrounds, the Willow Crescent Playground (Mynarski Park), built in 1998 by the Community Association, and the Oak Street Turnaround Playground, built in 1999, will both be rebuilt in 2008 by the County of Red Deer. In the meantime, repairs of equipment will occur through the maintenance program.

Apr. 10, 2006
Springbrook Sports Fields Getting Upgrades
Red Deer County, in partnership with the Renegades Soccer Association and Central Alberta Slow Pitch Association, are upgrading the sports fields south of the Recreation Centre for use by the two sports groups as well as the community and the cadets in summer. Two soccer fields and the ball diamonds are both being upgraded. The projects include a new fence next to Airport Drive, resodding the soccer fields, getting rid of the gopher holes and removing and reseeding the track. The track area may become the site for an elementary school within the next three years. A washroom facility and concession stand may also become part of the project.
Bottle Drive Set for May 13th
A community fundraising drive in the form of a bottle drive is scheduled for Saturday, May 13 starting at 10 am. Volunteers will go door to door to collect bottles. If residents don't want to be disturbed or expect to be away, can leave their bottles on their front step in bags. Residents can also drop bottles off at the playground near the all purpose pad that day. It is preferred if people will pre-sort cans, plastic bottles and juice boxes.


Current News    Summary of Headlines
 

Springbrook
General Store

Fresh made
subs and sandwiches
Pizza
Bakery
Slushies
Ice cream
Coffee
Groceries
Movie Rentals
ATM

886-5656
Mon.-Sun. 9am-9pm 

Springbrook-Waskasoo Life
is published by AbundanceNet, Springbrook, Alberta
403-886-2640