Council approves $22M deal to save Westerner Park
In what Mayor Tara Veer called a “generational decision,” Red Deer city council approved a deal to keep financially challenged Westerner Park alive in the short-term and viable down the road.
Council approved the $22 million financing package on the heels of a lengthy, emotional debate during a nearly-six-hour long special meeting Tuesday.
The package includes a $3 million grant and a $19 million loan for Westerner Park to pay back over 30 years.
“Council did not take the decisions made today surrounding Westerner Park lightly, and we recognize the broad community impact the legal agreement and financial support has,” said Veer. “Council is acutely aware of the economic, social and cultural importance of Westerner Park to our city and region; administration made the recommendations based on historic data as well as 10-year projections and we believe that we made an informed decision that considers and benefits our community as a whole.”