City cancelling programs but keeps rec centres open

From The City of Red Deer

City of Red Deer modifies service and programming amidst COVID-19

All City delivered recreation and culture programming at City of Red Deer facilities is temporarily cancelled to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This is effective immediately.

According to Alberta Health (AHS), there are currently no confirmed cases of the virus in Red Deer, and the risk to residents remains low. The City of Red Deer is taking preventative measures in the interest of social distancing.

Measures being taken by The City of Red Deer at this time include:

Activation of a City of Red Deer Emergency Operations Centre
Cancellation of City programs in public facilities, including but not limited to, fitness classes, swimming lessons, educational and cultural courses
Closure of hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas
Closure of child minding services at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre and Collicutt Centre
Revised cancellation policies for recreation facility passes, programs and rentals
A shift from in-person to online City of Red Deer public participation and consultation activities
Enhanced cleaning and janitorial services in high traffic areas and touch points
Continued focus on hygiene
Mandatory 14-day isolation period for all City of Red Deer employees who are symptomatic and/or who travelled internationally, effective March 12 at 4 p.m.
Activation of a City of Red Deer call centre for residents to make non-emergency inquiries about City policies and facilities (403-342-8111), operation 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until further notice.
The City is in communication and sharing information with contractors operating City facilities
(i.e. Heritage Ranch, Museum & Art Gallery, Bower Ponds, and neighbourhood activity centres), however, business decisions remain with those individual operators.

“The health and safety of our residents is priority number one,” said Karen Mann, Situational Monitoring Centre Director, The City of Red Deer. “We know some of these measures may cause frustration and disrupt the routines of individuals and families who engage in our many programs and services. However, we strongly believe these are necessary steps in minimizing the potential spread of COVID- 19 in our community.”

At this time all City recreation facilities remain open, such as the Collicutt Centre and G.H. Dawe Community Centre. Public facilities like City Hall, downtown RCMP and ES Counter Service remain open. Residents are reminded not to attend City facilities or any public place if they’re feeling ill. Please consider the following:
- Practice “social distancing”
- Use good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing
- Avoid touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
- Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill
- Keep at least 1 metre distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing
- Follow good respiratory hygiene; cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze (dispose of the used tissue immediately)

If you have symptoms such as fever, cough and/or difficulty breathing and have travelled outside Canada or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, stay home and call Health Link 811. If you are not seriously ill, do not go to a physician’s office, a health care facility or a lab without consulting with Health Link 811 first. Call 911 if you are seriously ill and need immediate medical attention and inform them that you may have COVID-19.

The City of Red Deer’s call centre is available to provide general information about The City’s response to COVID 19 as well as to ensure 811 and 911 are left available to those requiring emergency assistance. The City’s call centre will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., until further notice.

The COVID-19 outbreak remains a fluid situation and information can change quickly and often. The City of Red Deer is prepared to make additional changes as required in order to keep residents safe and reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Residents are urged to visit the Alberta Health Services website at www.ahs.ca for the most up to date information.

Sylvan Lake closing NexSource Centre until further notice

Related Topics:City of Red Deer COVID-19 feature

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After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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City of Red Deer

City Council looking for options to reduce hundreds of encampments

Published on September 14, 2024

City of Red Deer

New actions for response to urban encampments being considered by City Council

New actions for The City’s response to urban encampments will be considered by Council on Monday, with a focus on interim and long-term solutions to homelessness. The proposed actions include everything from maintaining a balanced mitigation strategy to exploring interim housing solutions.

The report comes in response to Councillor Lee’s Notice of Motion re: Urban Encampment Responses that Council approved during the 2024 budget debate. The report reviews the past five years of data, analyzes service levels, and evaluates Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response. The key recommendations in the report focus on providing a balanced approach to mitigating the effects of encampments while working towards long-term solutions for homelessness. These recommendations include:

Consistent Mitigation: Maintain The City’s current approach to encampment responses, ensuring the most balanced mitigation strategy available at this time to protect public lands while supporting vulnerable individuals.
Advocacy for Shelter Strategy: Council will continue to advocate to the Government of Alberta for a comprehensive shelter strategy, including the development of a low-barrier 24/7 emergency shelter with a Recovery-Oriented System of Care.
Review of Transitional Housing: Request that the Housing and Homelessness Integrated Committee (HHIC) review the potential for new transitional housing infrastructure as an interim solution to support individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

“The City’s current policy is still achieving its target of having sites cleaned within 14 days. Despite a substantial increase in encampments, responses have continued to be increasingly efficient, largely due to enhanced relationships and experience levels,” said Jodi Kelloway, Acting Superintendent, Social Wellness and Integration Supports. “In recent months, we have seen a significant rise in the number of people experiencing homelessness, with shelters operating at or near capacity. Many individuals living in encampments have limited or no alternative options available. It is important that we continue to improve our response while building capacity within the housing continuum that considers current realities and the unique needs of community members who are unsheltered. The actions we propose in today’s report are about building and expanding on what we already do.”

Under the current policy, The City has a level of service that urban encampments, debris, and belongings are to be removed within 14 days of an initial report, 90 per cent of the time. While The City’s current response to urban encampments is effective, with 98 per cent of camps being cleaned up within 14 days, the number of encampments continues to rise. In 2023 alone, 881 encampments were dismantled, with a projected overall increase of 75 per cent by the end of 2024.

Costs related to encampment clean-up have reached approximately $2.87 million over the last five years, shared among several City departments, including Parks, Public Works, and Emergency Services. Despite increased efficiency, the growing number of encampments presents ongoing challenges and concerns.

The City’s Encampment Assertive Outreach team continues to engage individuals living in encampments, providing referrals to social and housing services. However, the report notes that many individuals face barriers to accessing shelter due to personal circumstances, such as the need for privacy, the ability to be with their partners, accommodation for pets or possessions, highlighting the ongoing need for tailored solutions.

Councillor Lee’s January 8, 2024, Notice of Motion called for administration to consider the following:

Reducing the time to dismantle encampments.
Preventing establishment of encampments.
Connecting rough sleepers with social supports and understanding overall community shelter capacity.
Develop recommendations for individuals setting up or using encampments to encourage them to seek alternative shelter.
How much money The City has spent on the cleanup of encampments over the past five years, and how much subsidy, if any, has been provided by other levels of government.
Including the continuum of housing that is currently available in Red Deer and what is needed.
That Administration report to council on the progress of the review of Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response”.

“The City of Red Deer is committed to supporting the health and safety of those sleeping rough, citizens who are enjoying parks, trails and public spaces, and staff responding to encampments,” said City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “Unfortunately, urban encampment work is a very short-term solution to a very complex health, housing, and public safety need in our community. The ability to reduce homelessness in Red Deer is significantly impacted by the lack of affordable and supportive housing supply. Until this is resolved, we will continue in this cycle of clean up.”

More detailed information is available in the City Council report located on the Council Meetings and Schedule page.

City of Red Deer

Kinsmen Community Arenas closed until mid-November

Published on August 7, 2024

City of Red Deer

From City Council, Tuesday, August 6

Kinsmen Community Arenas funding request (decision)

Council has approved the $350,000 budget request to replace the chiller at the Kinsmen Community Arenas; this will be funded through the Capital Projects Reserve. Administration will order the part, which is expected to arrive in 14 weeks, then the contractor will take two weeks to install, then staff will install ice, taking an additional ten days. If there are no delays or issues, the arenas are anticipated to open mid-November at the earliest.
Administration is working to revise rental permitting that has been previously shared with sport groups –the majority of rental permits will need to be revised with a proportionate reduction in ice access across all community rental groups. Revised permits are anticipated to be back to Sport Partners by August 30.
The chiller is the main piece of equipment that allows ice to be made at the twin arenas. It cools brine water and provides cooling. The brine water’s chemical properties keep it from freezing. To freeze the rink surface, the system pumps chilled brine water through the pipes and then into the ice-bearing concrete slab.