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City unveils ‘Canada 150 Square’ in Capstone at Riverlands

Aug 25, 2017 | 2:03 PM

Ground has been broken at the site of a future community square within the freshly minted Capstone at Riverlands district.

The space, which will be located where the end of Alexander Way meets the river walk, will be called Canada 150 Square, Mayor Tara Veer announced during the sod-turning Friday.

The announcement follows up Wednesday’s news that Riverlands will now be called Capstone at Riverlands and that marketing and the sale of land in the area will start this fall.

“The naming of this square marks a milestone for Red Deer. The name was chosen because it honours and represents connectedness to our country all while looking to the future as we create a space where people can engage in community life,” said Veer. “It is a celebration of 150 years of confederation. It is a celebration of our citizens’ pride for their community and their country.”

Veer says the current Waskasoo Park and trail system was designed for 100,000 people, thus making this expansion of those things all the more important.

When the square opens in late 2018 or early 2019, a new time capsule will be buried to mark Canada’s sesquicentennial.

“This is an exciting time for our community,” Veer continued. “As a growing city of more than 100,000 citizens, public spaces like Canada 150 Square / Place Canada 150 are more important than ever before. They are the anchors that bring our citizens together. This square is also the first public amenity project at Capstone and is a realization of the longstanding vision for Riverlands.”

Director of Planning Services Tara Lodewyk says among other things, the square may feature a fountain, benches, trees, lighting for day and night and the capability to host events, be it cultural or sporting.

“It’s important that when we’re designing public spaces, that people feel comfortable. There are ways you can do that with design, so the size of buildings that are around them, the size of the square,” she said. “There have been consultations along the way, but this will be the first time the public will see the culmination of that.”

Dollars for Canada 150 Square were allocated in the 2017 Capital Budget.