A rendering of Red Deer's future aquatic centre. (City of Red Deer)

By Sheldon Spackman

STATE OF THE CITY

Veer updates hospital expansion, other major projects in Chamber speech

Jun 10, 2021 | 4:31 PM

Mayor Tara Veer presented her State of the City address virtually to members of the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, and there was no shortage of major topics to discuss.

An update on the expansion and redevelopment of Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre (RDRHC) was one of the big ones, with Veer noting Alberta Health Services (AHS) anticipates three phases for the project.

“AHS is developing their business plan,” she said. “Right now, The City continues to push for a cardiac cath (catheterization) lab, as well as community consultation on that plan to make sure that it’s meeting the needs of Red Deerians and central Albertans. This project did experience some delays as a result of the onset of the pandemic and obviously the recalibration of health resources, but we’ve been told its back on track.”

Veer said the new Red Deer Justice Centre now under construction will be transformative to the downtown, with conversations to soon begin about repurposing the current courthouse.

She also acknowledged continued efforts on addressing the temporary shelter issue and fulfilling the community’s needs.

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“We’ve been in a position of ‘temporary’ shelter for eight years,” lamented Veer. “We truly have had an infrastructure deficit here where we’ve had temporary band aid solutions that are no longer serving our community well because we don’t have the infrastructure we need to respond to systemic social challenges.”

Veer reiterated that the province has allocated $7 million for a new permanent shelter with the location yet to be determined.

“We’re actively working with them (the government) to determine the best location. It’s a very challenging discussion for our council and for the province. But council is working on that and we hope to have that resolved in very short order.”

Veer further expects an announcement from the province in the coming days regarding residential addictions treatment in Red Deer, somewhere outside the urban core.

At Westerner Park, Veer noted The City’s $19 million loan to pay out a previous loan the organization incurred to pay for construction of Exhibition Hall, a big factor in their financial struggles. She added efforts remain ongoing in completing the modernization of the Centrium.

Elsewhere, the expansion and upgrade of the G.H. Dawe Centre was highlighted as The City’s most significant capital investment this year.

“We were able to secure federal and provincial funds for this and to allow the final phase of completion for this facility in the north. Adding a second arena, adding a spray park, and adding an access off 67 Street, it will completely modernize and complete the facility. There’s earthwork underway on that project right now,” remarked Veer.

Another area of focus, she said, is Capstone at Riverlands.

“You’ll see some of the boardwalk and amenities and the lighting and the fountain is in place. This was a $38 million land sale with Brad Remington Homes of Calgary and that’s just the beginning for him. It truly is a once-in-a-generation opportunity and there’s more to come. He’s certainly indicated interest in future phases.”

Though not currently in The City’s 10-year Capital Plan, Mayor Veer also offered those in attendance an update on the status of a future aquatic centre for Red Deer – a project estimated at $100-110 million. She said Rotary Recreation Park and the Michener North lands have been identified as potential locations.

“It causes such a tax spike in whatever year you put it in,” the mayor explained. “In and of itself, it would be about a six to eight per cent tax rate increase. But I can say with confidence, it will be our next major recreation project. We have a scope, we have a design vision, we’re determining location shortly, and we hope to be able to proceed with that.”