Archived Springbrook and Area News
February 2007

Feb. 26, 2007
Military Exercises Held In Springbrook and Around City
About 105 soldiers from several Alberta-based military units, some veterans of conflicts in Afghanistan and Croatia, participated in a tactical urban military exercise over the weekend in Red Deer, Springbrook and the surrounding area. The exercises included a simulated gunfight at the airport, airlifting casualties, raiding a house where roadside bombs were being made, and other simulated operations reflecting combat situations overseas.


Feb. 21, 2007
Red Deer County Places More Emphasis on Recreation
A newly adopted community services strategic plan recognizes that many county residents use recreational facilities in the urban communities paid for by urban taxpayers. The county is also looking at creating a regional recreational facility, trail development and completing an open spaces master plan. Red Deer County council has agreed to increase its recreation grant to the city of Red Deer to $120,000 from $20,000. The grant to Sylvan Lake increased to $80,000 from $23,000, to Bowden $40,000 from $34,460 and to Innisfail $80,000 from $77,029. Penhold, Delburne and Elnora will each receive $20,000.
Airport Survey Confirms Desire for More Service
The Red Deer Regional Airport Authority and Red Deer Regional Economic Development have released results from a survey conducted with air travellers and a random 1,000 Central Albertans by telephone. The results confirmed that 70% of the people surveyed would be willing to pay a premium for the convenience of additional air service at the Red Deer airport. The majority of leisure travellers indicated a desire for service to Toronto, Vancouver and Kelowna. Business travellers wanted service to Northern Alberta, Toronto and Vancouver. The study encouraged the airport authority to continue lobbying the government for infrastructure improvements.

Feb. 20, 2007
County Defers Decision on Springbrook-Penhold Trail
The building of the Springbrook-Penhold TransCanada Trail has been stalled once again as Red Deer County deferred making a decision on approving the trail and entering into an operating and maintenance agreement with Alberta Transportation. Administration recommended that council wait for The Open Spaces Master Plan to be completed in November as well as a study on how best to use the land south of Airport Drive.
Some kind of recreational facility or sports field and a park is envisioned for the area and would be more suitable for trails than running along the highway and railway right-of-way. In addition, Alberta Transportation has indicated that a trail built on highway property would be temporary in that the land may be needed for future widening of the highway. Liability was also an issue as the county currently does not have a policy on insuring trails but may in the near future. The Springbrook Community Association agreed to maintain the trail for three years but wanted the county to be responsible for insurance. Council asked administration to work with Central Alberta Regional Trails Society, the Springbrook Community Association and the town of Penhold to work out a solution within the next few months so fund-raising can proceed.

Feb. 19, 2007
Malibu Housing Development Progressing Well
Phase One, consisting of 36 lots, of the Malibu residential development east of existing Springbrook housing has several homes in various stages of being built. Servicing of Phases 2 and 3 is expected soon and house construction should start in the spring. Nine home builders are involved in the project.

Feb. 13, 2007
Harvard Historical Aviation Society Elects Board
The newly formed Harvard Historical Aviation Society elected its first Board of Directors tonight at the Flying Club building near the airport. Jodi Smith was elected President, Gary Hillman Vice-President, Dan Smith Secretary, Julie Johnston Treasurer, Jim Thoreson Co-ordinator. Other board members include Bert Lougheed, David Brown and Paul Pettypiece. The Board adopted its Strategic Plan and is looking for a temporary facility to house exhibits until a permanent facility can be built. The society's mission is to provide interactive and educational programming to commemorate and celebrate the unique history of the Penhold military base.

Feb. 6, 2007
Springbrook Urban Design Plan Will Re-examine Development Standards
Red Deer County has delayed amending the current Springbrook Area Redevelopment Plan until two things occur -- the buildout of Phase 1 of the Malibu Development and the completion of an urban design plan to be awarded to a consultant in the near future. The developers of the Malibu development have requested a number of amendments to the current ARP but county council has decided to see if their architectural guidelines conform to the spirit of the County's vision of a unique and aesthetically appealing community. The urban design plan will include the hamlet as well as the area around it. It is expected that existing residents will be consulted as part of the process.
Play Program Moves From City to Springbrook
Children's Indoor Play Space, operated by Red Deer Family Services, has moved from the Michener Centre gymnasium in Red Deer to the Bear Training gymnasium in Springbrook due to a lack of affordable space in the city large enough for children to run and to store bulky toys. The Michener gym is being renovated and is now closed to outside users. About 120 children and 80 parents regularly attend. The program will run to June and the organizers will continue to look for a city location for the fall.
City/County Dispute Delays Community Savings Office Plans
Community Savings, the second largest credit union in Alberta, wants to build their corporate headquarters on land it purchased last year at the north end of Gasoline Alley just off Highway QE2. Rezoning is required to do so but the Red Deer Municipal Planning Commission has been advised to dispute the rezoning request as the city doesn't want to see office development on the fringe of the city and fears that it could negatively impact the downtown core where office buildings normally locate. Community Savings wants to maintain its presence downtown and stay in the area but their real estate agent has suggested that if the city disputes the office building in the county that the business may build elsewhere.

 
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