Blackfalds is spending $2,000 per resident to expand Multi-Plex and Library… Will Red Deer “bite the bullet” to compete?

Submitted by Opinion Blogger Garfield Marks

July 3 2019, and the town of Blackfalds announced they are expediting moving forward on twinning their Multi-Plex to the tune of $15 million, and $5 million to expand their library. This is only a few years after opening their $15 million Abbey Centre.
Blackfalds moved construction up a few years to avail themselves of economic savings. Construction costs are down while the industry has slowed and the residents will save money.
Granted it is still $2,000 per resident as Blackfalds only has 10,000 +/- residents.
The city of Red Deer is delaying discussing building an Aquatic Centre, 18 years after opening the Collicutt Centre.
Blackfalds, population of 10,400 will spend $1,500 per person twinning their multi-plex just a few short years after spending $2,000 per person on the Abbey Centre. $500 per resident on the library.
2013 population of Blackfalds was around 7,500.
In just a few years Blackfalds is committing about $4,000 per resident on recreational facilities.
Red Deer, population 101,002 is looking at spending less than $1,000 per resident on recreational facilities in decades.
Blackfalds was named the fastest growing city by population in Canada.
Red Deer is stagnant in population, increasing by only 1% in the last 3 years.
Red Deer needs to build an Aquatic Centre with a 50m pool. Red Deer is in need of a new multi-plex. Red Deer has a shortage of recreational facilities north of the river. Red Deer is in need of an identity.
Red Deer is afraid of investing in itself. The price of $100 million is high and can be lowered, but if the price was $101 million it would be only $1,000 per resident. Blackfalds had a population of 6,500 when it started building the Abbey Centre, or $2300 per resident. Now a few years after opening they are investing another $1500 per resident in twinning their multi-plex.
Red Deer is abdicating it’s leadership role in Central Alberta. Penhold, Sylvan Lake and Blackfalds have all invested in their recreational facilities in recent years and have maintained population growth while Red Deer has ceased investing in new facilities, and seen a decline in population.
I would suggest that we bite the bullet, proceed with an Aquatic Centre that can hold provincial and national competitions and attract tourist and investment dollars. Build it north of the river by Hazlett Lake and offset the costs with sponsorships, like we did with the Collicutt Centre.
Or we can just welcome mediocrity and obscurity.
Just saying.

Garfield Marks

Related Topics:City of Red Deer feature Garfield Marks Town of Blackfalds

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Drugs and guns seized in Blackfalds bust: RCMP

Published on October 3, 2024

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From Blackfalds RCMP

Blackfalds RCMP execute search warrant seizing drugs and guns

Blackfalds, Alta. – In September of 2024 the Blackfalds RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) with assistance from Sylvan Lake GIS entered into an investigation involving an individual believed to be trafficking drugs in the community. As a result of the investigation, on Oct. 2, 2024, Blackfalds RCMP with assistance from Innisfail RCMP GIS and Red Deer RCMP Police Dog Service executed a search warrant at a home in Blackfalds.

As a result of the search RCMP seized:

253 grams of Cocaine
$3343 in Currency
6 firearms

RCMP have arrested and charged Blackfalds resident, Lotus Joan Silver Stalteri-Roberts (25), with:

Possession for the purpose of trafficking;
Possession of stolen property under $5000;
Weapons offences (x8).

Stalteri-Roberts was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with her next court date set for Oct. 3, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.

“This investigation saw the effective coordination of different RCMP Detachments and Sections to quickly and safely remove these drugs and guns from our community,” says Staff Sergeant Andrew Allan.

If you have any information about this investigation or about drug trafficking in the Blackfalds area please contact Blackfalds RCMP at 403-885-3333 or submit an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

Blackfalds

New Catholic Elementary School for Blackfalds

Published on March 7, 2024

Todayville

News release from Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

RDCRS receives full construction funding for new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in Blackfalds

On Monday, March 4, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) received full construction funding from the Government of Alberta to construct a new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in Blackfalds.

“The full construction funding for the new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in the vibrant growing community of Blackfalds marks a significant milestone in our government’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art education infrastructure for our communities. This investment illustrates our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our students and ensuring they have access to modern, innovative learning environments,” stated MLA for Red Deer North and Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange.

RDCRS appreciates the construction funding provided by the Government of Alberta. Over the past several years, Blackfalds has seen tremendous growth. RDCRS’ current Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 9 school located in Blackfalds, St. Gregory the Great Catholic School, has grown by 64% since its establishment in 2017.

“We are very pleased to receive full construction funding for a new Catholic elementary school in Blackfalds. The funding will allow the division an opportunity to build a much needed new school and meet the learning needs of our Blackfalds students,” said Board Chair Murray Hollman at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

The schematic design for the new school has progressed smoothly since RDCRS received design funding from the Government of Alberta in March 2023. The plans look excellent and work is ongoing between Alberta Infrastructure and the Town of Blackfalds to ensure the steps to secure the land in the new development are completed. The land needs to be ready for construction according to the timelines and criteria established in the P3 project.

“We are pleased that the progress achieved thus far has demonstrated the collaborative efforts necessary to warrant this full funding announcement, “ added Board Chair Hollman.

The new school is expected to be ready for occupancy in September 2027.

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools serves over 10,650 students in 21 schools in Red Deer, Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Innisfail, and Olds. It also supports the learning of over 850 students in a Home Education Program. The Division is committed to serving children and parents with a complete offering of learning opportunities delivered within the context of Catholic teachings and within the means of the Division.