Water park at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre. (City of Red Deer)

By Sheldon Spackman

Infrastructure Boost

G.H. Dawe Community Centre receives federal and provincial funding boost to expand

Aug 26, 2020 | 10:43 AM

Plans to expand Red Deer’s G.H. Dawe Community Centre received a significant funding boost from the federal and provincial governments this week.

On Tuesday, officials from both levels of government announced over $15.1 million in federal funding for the project and over $12.6 million from the province.

Over $14.2 million will come from the City of Red Deer and other funding sources for the over $42 million project.

Officials say the project entails expansion to the existing community centre by approximately 7,200 m2 to increase the south ice rink surface to regulation NHL standard size and add barrier-free access seating.

Work will also include modifying the new north ice rink to permit a barrier free ice surface to enable use for sledge hockey and enhancing seating for patrons with accessibility needs.

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Other work includes upgrades to change rooms; the addition of a universal change room; modernization of the ice plant and related infrastructure for efficiency.

Also, the construction of a new spray park, additional parking, and new public transit shelter; as well as space for a second floor running track, exercise studios and flex space.

Construction activities in 2020 include tree removal, underground utility realignment, playground installation and removal, and parking lot paving.

The G.H. Dawe Community Centre Expansion project was approved in principle as part of the 2021-2029 Capital Plan with construction tentatively slated for 2021-2022.

Final budget allocations and project timelines will be determined as part of 2021 Capital Budget deliberations in fall 2020.

Council has confirmed that project approval will be dependant upon The City receiving grant funding from the federal and provincial governments.

G.H. Dawe site layout. (City of Red Deer)

Other central Alberta projects to receive infrastructure funding include nearly $20 million for the Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility in Rocky Mountain House, over $3.4 million for the Regional Wastewater System and completion of the North Shore Line (Stage 4 Systems) near Sylvan Lake, nearly $3.3 million towards the Springbrook Water Reservoir and Treatment Plant replacement in Red Deer County, and nearly $2.2 million for Lagoon expansion in Trochu.

Infrastructure funding will also see nearly $2 million for the Shirley McClellan Regional Water Services Commission (SMRWSC) and a regional water extension to Rochon Sands near Stettler, nearly $1.2 million for the South Red Deer Regional Wastewater Commission Emergency Equalization and Storage Ponds in Bowden; Innisfail; Olds; Penhold and Red Deer, over $529,000 towards the Water Pump House and reservoir upgrades in Eckville, and nearly $454,000 for sewage lagoon rehabilitation in Alix,

Funding was also announced for infrastructure projects in Devon, Drayton Valley, Edmonton, Edson – Yellowhead County, Fort Saskatchewan, Jasper, Lac St. Anne County, Millet, and Westlock.

According to government officials, the $152 million in joint federal, provincial, and municipal funding through the Investing in Canada plan will support 20 infrastructure projects in Central Alberta. These investments are anticipated to create jobs, grow the economy, and support healthier and more sustainable communities.

The Government of Canada is investing over $82.3 million in these projects through the Green Infrastructure Stream (GIS), the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS), and the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNIS) of the Investing in Canada plan, while the Government of Alberta is contributing more than $69.7 million.