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
 

 
More Recent Springbrook and Area News
October 2007

October 25, 2007
Airline Offers $9 Fare to Edmonton
Northwestern Air Lease has started service from Red Deer Regional Airport to Edmonton International Airport. To encourage Central Albertans to use the new service instead of driving to Edmonton or Calgary, the airline is offering a rate of $9 instead of the originally set price of $60. With taxes and airport fees, the price works out to around $45. The early morning flight (7 am) will allow passengers to connect with other airlines to destinations like Vancouver, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto and Denver. And there is no charge for parking at the Red Deer airport. From Edmonton, the 19-seat Jetstream 31 continues to Peace River, returning to Red Deer via Edmonton at 11:40 am. The service is offered Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Airport Officials Excited About New Airline
Officials at the Red Deer Regional Airport are excited about the announcement that four former WestJet executives are planning to launch a new airline called NewAir & Tours that would connect regional airports with larger airports and American holiday destinations. They see the new airline as a perfect fit for the local airport. However, improvements to the infrastructure and runways would still be necessary in order to take advantage of the proposed new service.

October 22, 2007
Community Association Elects New Board and Reports on Progress
The Springbrook Community Association held its Annual General Meeting at the Springbrook fire hall tonight with about 16 in attendance. The Association now has about $100,000 from volunteer fundraising activities to put toward major projects once Red Deer County determines priorities. Potential future projects include a community centre, a roof over the multi-purpose pad, a pedestrian/bicycle trail along the creek, spray park, skateboard park and beautification projects including rehabilitation of the Tamarack entrance. New concrete vandal-resistant park furniture is on order and the County plans to upgrade the two major playgrounds in 2008. Several ideas were discussed about developing more youth activities and general community activities. The new executive includes Paul Pettypiece as President, Phil Heck as Vice-President, Sarah Laranjo as Secretary and Tara Lind as Treasurer. Other Board members include Jason Winters, Bob Bobyk, Cathy Fowler, Cheryl Coleman, Nicole Wapple and Laddi Pettypiece.

October 20, 2007
NRCB to Re-Examine Dairy Farm Proposal
The Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) will review its approval for a proposed organic dairy farm about 1.5 km from the eastern edge of Springbrook. A group of 50 landowners signed a petition and raised concerns about smell, noise, waste management, and impact on water sources, future development and property values. The appeal, however, will not address smell, noise or property values. The farm plans to have 100 milking cows, 100 young cows and 20 dry cows.

October 18, 2007
Garbage Gasification Plant Set for Horn Hill
An agreement with Plasco to construct North America's first commercial gasification of garbage plant was signed today by the commission that represents fifteen Central Alberta communities including Red Deer County, the city of Red Deer and the town of Penhold. The new plant will be constructed next to the Horn Hill Transfer Station, located near Highways 2 and 42, starting next year, providing the technology being tested in Ottawa proves its value. The by-products of the operation will be electricity and a 'plasma' that can be used for construction materials.

October 15, 2007
Penny Archibald Elected to Red Deer County Council
Incumbent Penny Archibald of the Innisfail area has been elected to represent Division 3, including Springbrook, on Red Deer County Council with 407 votes. Penny will be serving her seventh three-year term. She also was elected by acclamation as a trustee from Innisfail on the Chinook's Edge School Division. Her challengers for councillor were Paul Pettypiece of Springbrook with 175 votes and Lorna Gresham of the Innisfail area with 47 votes. Voter turnout was lower than normal.
Earl Kinsella Elected as First Mayor of Red Deer County
In a fairly close race, former Reeve Earl Kinsella of the Innisfail area became Red Deer County's first elected mayor. Previously, the reeve was elected by members of council from amongst themselves. The new system also marked a change in the number of divisions from 7 to 6. Kinsella, first elected to council in 1989 and serving as reeve for the past 4 years, received 2,082 votes. Challenger Debra Hanna of the Benalto area received 1,831 votes. Much of her support came from the eastern and western parts of the county.
Penhold Elects Four New Councillors
The Town of Penhold has four new councillors as a result of several incumbents deciding not to run. Returning to council are Dennis Cooper and Gary Yargeau. New councillors include Danielle Klooster, Tim Caldow, Mike Dodman and April Jones. Mayor Julie King was returned by acclamation.

October 12, 2007
Airline to Expand Red Deer Passenger Service
The Fort Smith based Northwestern Air Lease is launching a new passenger service from the Red Deer Regional Airport to Edmonton and Peace River starting next week, creating convenient connections to other destinations. Flights will be offered Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Northwestern currently offers direct service from Red Deer to Fort McMurray on Mondays and Thursdays as well as charter service. The company is interested in adding additional destinations including Grande Prairie, Calgary and Kelowna. The airline started operating out of the airport last December with service to Saskatoon and Fort McMurray. The Saskatoon service has since been cancelled.
 
October 9, 2007
Calgary Police Training in Springbrook
More than 100 Calgary police officers of the public safety unit have arrived in Springbrook for their annual two-week training course to help them prepare for real life situations. Crowd management exercises include anything from sports events to protests to riots. The former CFB Penhold base makes an ideal training location as it has regular streets to simulate actual crowd situations. Other aspects of the training include crowd psychology, searches for missing people and co-ordinating with other emergency personnel.

October 7, 2007
Penhold Looks For Multiplex Funding
The town of Penhold is applying for $7 million from the federal and provincial governments to help pay for a multi-million dollar recreational facility. The multiplex will be built in three phases. The $11.5 million first phase will include a regulation-size ice arena and an upper level running or walking track. The $3.2 million second phase will include a new 4,500 sq. ft. library, lobby and information kiosk. The $2.8 million third phase will include a full size gymnasium, meeting rooms and day care.
 
October 3, 2007
Springbrook Water Supply to be Studied
Red Deer County council agreed yesterday to a new study to determine if Springbrook's water system has the capacity to deal with the community's growth. The study will look at whether the water reservoir and the existing well system has sufficient capacity for future development. The study will also look at engineering for a new water transmission line to the hamlet from the Mountainview Regional Water Services Commission and upgrades to the Anthony Henday water treatment plant near Innisfail. The water line would also serve the new Liberty Crossing residential area and Gasoline Alley. Funding for the study is expected from the provincial government.
Provincial Body Approves Dairy Operation Near Springbrook
The provincial Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) has approved a proposed 100 milking cow dairy operation in spite of the objections of Red Deer County and nearby residents including adjacent farmers. The dairy farm will be built within 1.6 km of the McKenzie country residential area and the eastern boundary of the hamlet of Springbrook. Application for the operation was submitted prior to the current Municipal Development Plan being adopted by the county which requires that confined feeding operations must not be located within 1.6 km of a residential subdivision. At the time of application, the distance was only 0.8 km. Several neighbours are appealing the decision.
Penhold Gets County Funds for Recreation
Red Deer County approved an agreement with the town of Penhold to provide a $20,000 grant per year for three years to the town for recreation services for county residents. Previous agreements provide Red Deer city $120,000 per year and Innisfail with $80,000 per year.

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