Archived Springbrook and Area News
March 2008

March 28, 2008
Airport Gets $2.1 Million for Improved Runway Lighting
The Red Deer Regional Airport has received word that the federal government will be granting $2.1 million through the Airports Capital Assistance Program to modernize runway, taxiway and apron lighting as well as signage and other landing aids. Work on the upgrades is expected to start in mid-summer with completion by fall. Next priority for the airport authority is the replacement of 50-year-old water, storm water and sewer infrastructure which is expected to commence within the next two years as a result of recently-announced funding from the federal and provincial governments.

The authority also wants to extend the length of the airport's main runway from 1,685 to 2,133 metres (5,528 to 7,000 feet) in order to expand the types of aircraft that can land. There is also a need to expand the terminal building.

March 26, 2008
Springbrook-Penhold Trail Open House Apr. 2
Red Deer County Community Services is hosting an open house for landowners, stakeholders and the general public on Wednesday, April 2 at the Harvard Business Centre between 6 and 8 pm concerning the revised Springbrook-Penhold Trail, a section of the Trans Canada Trail. The proposed route will go through the treed area south of Springbrook and along Range Road 281 toward the town of Penhold. The original route was proposed to run along the old Highway 2A right of way immediately east of the railway tracks. The Springbrook-Penhold trail will connect with the future Springbrook trail along the east side of the creek in the municipal reserve. It will eventually extend northward to Red Deer.
Revised Springbrook-Gasoline Alley Area Structure Plan Revealed
A few people from Springbrook and the airport were present at the open house for the revised Springbrook-Gasoline Major Area Structure Plan held at Red Deer County Centre yesterday. The plan covers a very large area (38 sections) that includes Springbrook, Red Deer Regional Airport, the new Liberty Crossing residential area west of Gasoline Alley, both west and east Gasoline Alley, industrial zones east of Gasoline Alley and a future industrial/highway commercial area around the intersection of Highways 2 and 42. The original plan that passed first reading two years ago was modified as a result of the disputes between the city and the county and the subsequent Intermunicipal Development Plan. The area west of Red Deer College around the Red Deer County Centre which included Fort Normandeau was dropped from the plan. The new plan is on the Red Deer County website and is expected to go to county council in late April.

March 22, 2008
Airport Strategy Will Take Time and Money
The Red Deer Regional Airport Authority claims that it is working towards bringing more growth to the airport and its surrounding businesses in spite of recent complaints from the newly resurrected Red Deer Regional Airport Business Association. Authority Chairman Randy Preece says that it takes time and money for some of the initiatives to begin. Both the Authority and the Business Association agree that developing lots on airport land will boost revenue, not only for the airport but for the County as well. Road access on the airport's north side is a requirement for that to happen. The airport's key stakeholders (Red Deer County, City of Red Deer and Red Deer Chamber of Commerce) are currently conducting a study to determine the best future direction of the airport.
Galaxy Cinema Opens in Gasoline Alley
The new 10-screen Galaxy Cinema opened yesterday in Gasoline Alley near Costco with rave reviews. The theatre has 2,000 stadium seats, wall-to-wall curved screens and digital surround sound. It offers pizza, chicken tenders and frozen yogurt in addition to the usual theatre treats. It also offers an interactive games area, party room and automated ticketing kiosks. In the future, the theatre expects to offer live screenings of NHL games, concerts and performances of the Metropolitan Opera from New York.

March 18, 2008
Airport Business Association Resurrected After 6 Years
Representatives from 18 businesses and a number of private pilots have resurrected the Red Deer Regional Airport Business Association, after not functioning for six years, because they were concerned with the airport's current fiscal deficit and the apparent lack of a viable long-term strategy. The association would rather see the authority focus on charter flights, general aviation and non-aviation commercial businesses rather than on attracting scheduled passenger service. They recently released its Airport Improvement Plan that suggests developing lots on airport lands would generate millions of dollars of revenue, eliminating the airport's dependence on government grant money for improvements and increasing user fees for operating income. Red Deer County returns up to 80% of airport business taxes to the airport authority. This year, that amounts to almost $98,000, up from $82,000 in 2007. The city of Red Deer will give a $185,000 grant this year -- $40,000 for capital and $145,000 for operating. Last year's operating expenses were $672,000. The airport had a lot of aging infrastructure when the federal government transferred the airport into local hands many years ago, resulting in the need for $25 million in improvements.

March 17, 2008
Penhold Residents Ponder Future
Three times a year, the town of Penhold hosts a community breakfast to chat with residents about the direction of the town and to recognize people who have made selfless contributions to others. Ideas generated at the meeting are compiled into a report with recommendations for town council to consider. Younger residents have indicated that they need more places to play and things to do. Meanwhile fundraising is progressing to add to the $6 million already contributed by the provincial and federal governments for the multiplex that is expected to start construction soon. The town estimates that its population is now around 2,000.
St. Patty's Dance Held at Bear's Den
About 50 people attended the Springbrook Community Association St. Patty's Dance on Saturday night at the Bear's Den in the Trinidad Fitness and Recreation Facility (formerly Bear Training Centre). Those who attended expressed interest in holding a similar event for adults in the near future. Two gift cards from Parkland Mall in the pot of gold were awarded to Q. Harper and Melanie Hall. Rob Manz donated his DJ service to the event.

March 11, 2008
Tender Awarded for 1st Phase of Springbrook Infrastructure Rehabilitation
The first phase of what is expected to be an $11.5 million project to fix a long-standing need to replace water and sewer infrastructure throughout the hamlet of Springbrook was awarded by Red Deer County today. AIC Construction Ltd. is expected to start construction of the $1.6 million first phase in May. Six tenders were received for the project that was first announced in 2005. The overall project could take up to five years to complete and there will be some disruption to traffic and parking. Funding for the project includes $6 million from Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Funding (CAMRIF) announced in December, $3 million from Red Deer County and $2.5 million from a separate funding program by Alberta Transportation and Infrastructure. Currently, the county spends $200,000 per year to clean 71 million litres of groundwater that infiltrates the water system.

March 10, 2008
St. Patty's Dance Features Pot'o'Gold, Green Beer
The Springbrook Community Association is hosting a St. Patty's Dance on Saturday, March 15 at the Trinidad (Bear) Training and Recreation Centre theatre from 9 pm to 1 am. Features of the event for adults only include a pot'o'gold door prize, green beer, fun and a variety of snacks, pop and alcoholic refreshments. Tickets are $5.00 at the door.
Registrations Still Open for Children's Sports
Around 100 registrations are already in for children's age 5-7 and 8-10 soccer and T-ball activities this spring. More registrations are available for children in the Springbrook and Penhold area for the organized activities to be held at the Springbrook sports fields. The Board of Directors of the Springbrook Community Association has approved funding for new equipment and coach training.

March 5, 2008
Revised Major Area Structure Plan Open House Mar. 25
A revised version of the Springbrook-Gasoline Alley Major Area Structure Plan, originally released in January 2006, is now available at the Red Deer County website. An open house is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25 from 3 to 5 pm at the County Centre near the 32 St. overpass. The plan area covers approximately 38 sections of land from the south boundary of Red Deer south to Penhold, from the Red Deer River to one mile east of Highway 2 and includes Gasoline Alley West and East, the future Liberty Crossing, Springbrook/Red Deer Regional Airport and the junction of Highways 2 and 42 which is the future site of a commercial/industrial area.
The Springbrook section of the plan includes a new internal road northwest of the swale (creek), extension of Oak St. northwest, two new access roads north of the hamlet, a town centre concept, future elementary school, future sports fields, possible high school site, new industrial areas around the airport, a park and campground, municipal reserve on the west side of the railroad track and a trail network linking areas north, south and west of the hamlet. This plan is an overall concept for the area and will be complimented by the Springbrook Heritage Urban Design Plan, expected to be released within the next few weeks.

March 4, 2008
Luke Ouellette Easily Wins Third Term
Luke Ouellette of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party was re-elected in the Innisfail - Sylvan Lake riding (including Springbrook, Penhold, Gasoline Alley) for his third term in yesterday's provincial election with 63% of the vote. He was first elected as an MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) in 2001. He has since served as minister of Restructuring and Government Efficiency and, most recently, as minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. His 6,972 votes compared to 1,538 for Garth Davis of the Liberal party, 1,213 for Wayne Edmondson of the Wildrose Alliance, 702 for Tophie Davies of the NDP, 543 for Lisa Grant of the Green Party and 122 for Anthony Haggarty, independent.
29% Voter Turnout in Springbrook
Voters in Springbrook did not turn out in droves to vote yesterday. Of the 597 eligible voters, only168 actually voted on Monday with 3 others in the advance poll, representing a 29% voter turnout, compared to the provincial average all-time low of 41%. Of those who voted Monday, 75 or 45% voted for Luke Ouellette, 42 or 25% voted for Garth Davis and 24 or 14% voted for Tophie Davies. 27 votes representing the other 16% went to the other three candidates. In the rural area around Springbrook, 170 of the 441 eligible voters cast ballots Monday with 4 in the advance poll, for a voter turnout of 39%. 71% of those rural votes went to Luke Ouellette.

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