Community
Attention City of Red Deer; “It is best to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it”
Now that it has been acknowledged, at least by one, that the Molly Bannister Extension is not about the wildlife corridor, as 19 Street and 32 Street have grown to the point of being a barrier to animals. The emphasis is on hikers, cyclists and skateboarders not having to cross a road and 24 families backing onto Molly Bannister.
32 Street is a much broader issue than ever given credit for. It splits neighbourhoods; it creates hardships for seniors and children in Mountview and Sunnybrook for example.
32 Street will run from Highway 2 to the proposed ring road (20 Ave). The church just south of 32 Street decided to expand but the city declined any expansion on the north side due to future expansion of 32 Street. So the city has plans to widen 32 St.
There are, as previously mentioned, 24 families backing onto Molly Bannister. My last count showed 292 families backing onto 32 Street. This is a larger number of families, than discussed, backing on to Molly Bannister.
The issue about the road east of Piper Creek is a smoke and mirrors game. That road will be built, anyways, with or without the Molly Bannister connection. Without the connection the road will be built with 50 houses on the west side backing onto Piper Creek.
With the connection, a busier road will be built, but with only about one lot being used for entrance onto a bridge. The bridge will actually be less intrusive on the park, than the road without the connection.
The trail will remain in the field on the other side, west side, of the creek, and I am sure the city can put in a crosswalk with flashing lights for hikers, cyclists and skateboarders to cross the road.
Air quality has to come into this equation. The developer wants to build 600 to 1,000 homes on the east side of the creek. Their only entrance/exit will be 40 Ave. So instead of going 500 metres to Gaetz Ave they will now have to drive over 2 kilometres each way, as they have to drive on 19 Street or 32 Street. The extra distances also apply to all current and future neighbourhoods along 22 Street.
The $10 million estimated to build the bridge is nothing compared to cost of compensating for not building a bridge. The proposed traffic circle on 19 St will be twice that. The widening of 32 Street will be many times that. Widening of 19 Street will cost more. The toll on 40 Ave from 19 Street to 32 Street will be costly, to maintain and expand.
This bridge will not be built for decades. It is meant for the time of the city having a population of 188,000. The city has grown by 195 residents since 2015, so it is a long way off.
I believe that the right of way should be kept, and left as green space until the bridge needs to be built. That gives everybody decades to adapt.
The Mayor and city council knows this extension is needed or will be needed. If not this issue would have quietly disappeared, long ago. The city should keep the option open and not handicap further development.
The environment has been tossed to the curb after being abused. Habitats will be inundated with fences, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, lawns, foreign non-native weeds, trees, shrubs and plants, if 50 houses are allowed to be built along Piper Creek.
It has now become about numbers. It has become about profits for a few, pain for the many. The 1,000 out of 1800 submissions supporting the extension cannot be discounted because the question was troubling, the city staff compensated for that and studied the responses to ensure of intent.
I think that allocating a lot for a bridge is less intrusive on our parks than 50 lots for houses. Would you not agree?
I think it is better to have it (right of way) and not need it, than need it and not have it.
L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer
After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.
Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.
Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:
“Leading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ‘100 Who Care’ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!”
Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.
In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:
“We are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.
To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organization’s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.
For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca
About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer
100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.
The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the members’ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.
Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.
Festival of Trees tickets are on sale now! Get ’em while they’re hot!
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