By Reg Warkentin

Op-Ed

Election season time to reflect on past and envision the future

Jul 12, 2021 | 1:51 PM

The upcoming municipal election is an important opportunity to reflect on the direction and choices of past councils while envisioning the future.

Like any city, the Red Deer of today is defined by the decisions of the past. Choices such as zoning and land development, annexations, and the location of major infrastructure investments such as new schools or community centres. This includes the design of our roads, the quantity of parking spots and their fees are all part of the urban design that has shaped our city into what it is today.

First, some positives. When you ask Red Deerians about their favourite part of our community, the common answer is parks and trails. The beautiful and well-connected trail system, in combination with the work done to move the rail lines outside of the city centre have created a world-class system with over 110 kilometres of trails connecting the city. Moving of the rail lines also allowed for (mostly) smooth flow of vehicle traffic and opened up swaths of land for development. After a recent trip to Edmonton and a frustratingly long wait for a train in a residential area, this is something I consciously appreciate about Red Deer.

On the flip side, the most common complaint of our city is downtown lacking vibrancy and struggling to attract investments and occupancy in key “downtown things” like restaurants, retail, office and residential space. The problems are varied in nature, but can be attributed to several issues including zoning, social issues and the lack of a major anchor or attraction. Cities like Edmonton have found recent success in revitalizing their downtowns. The Ice District and the construction of Rogers Place has resulted in hundreds of millions in private investment as folks desire to take part in the excitement the facility brings on a regular basis.

This leads one to wonder what downtown would look like today had the Centrium been located there. During the regular season of the WHL, thousands drive to the south-end of the City to watch the Rebels play at-home about 34 times. Before or after the game, they’re likely to attend a south-end restaurant. After the exhibition grounds were moved, and the current location and the Centrium was constructed, there was a surge of construction in the south-end of the city. So what would the city look like if a decision was made to build the Centrium downtown? With confidence, I believe there would be far more homes, restaurants, and other complementary businesses within our downtown and as a result, fewer social issues.

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

Apr 04, 2026

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

A similar argument can be made for the simultaneous development of the Collicutt Centre, Notre Dame and Hunting Hills High School in the then, south-east corner of the city. This cluster resulted in a surge of development in the area that is just now tapering off more than twenty years later as development nears city boundaries and planners aim for more balanced development.

Some city planners argue that one way streets, such as Gaetz Avenue and Ross Street negatively affect livability and economics of the areas they serve. Researchers in the United States have found two-way streets lead to higher traffic, fewer accidents, less crime, higher property values, more pedestrian traffic and higher business revenue. Could a fundamental change to traffic flows improve Red Deer’s downtown?

Those running for mayor and council this fall are hopefully considering what led to the remarkable success and growth within Red Deer County’s Gasoline Alley, McKenzie Industrial Park and Clearview Industrial and how the City of Red Deer could incent or facilitate its own surge of economic development. Successes in economic development are a result of zoning rules, social issues, parking, red-tape, and taxes; all areas where Red Deer County excels and where the city could improve.

How will decisions surrounding the near insolvency of Westerner Park affect our community a generation later? What about the location of social service agencies such as the homeless shelter and drug treatment facility? What areas will the city look at annexing and zoning for future growth? How will leaders manage the intermunicipal development framework agreements with neighbouring municipalities as their boundaries push against one another and compete for investment?

Can Capstone be fully and properly leveraged to recoup the tens of millions in tax dollar investment and increase the vibrancy of our downtown? What changes to parking and roadways would drive more visitors and economic activity in our downtown? How will social issues be managed in a sustainable but compassionate manner that helps those suffering while also allowing our city to thrive?

This isn’t meant to deride past leaders who did not have the benefit of hindsight. Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle pointed out, “it is easy to be wise after the event.” As our community moves forward and candidates for council and mayor share their vision and plans, we need to reflect upon the past and ask ourselves what we want our community to look like and if voters and candidates possess the courage and boldness to achieve the vision of what we want our community to be.

Reg Warkentin

Policy & Government Relations Manager – Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce

EDITOR’S NOTE: The views expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of rdnewsNOW or Pattison Media. Column suggestions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@rdnewsNOW.com.