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City of Red Deer

City Council looking to extend Safe Harbour Society’s temporary homeless shelter

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Rezoning extension application received for temporary shelter

City Council will consider first reading of a Land Use Bylaw Amendment on Monday, that if approved, will enable the temporary shelter to continue operating in its current location. Consideration of the amendment comes after Safe Harbour Society, the organization who operates the shelter, applied to The City to extend the zoning.  If approved, the Land Use Bylaw Amendment would allow shelter use within the Direct Control 28 District as a discretionary use.

The application will go through the standard rezoning process, which includes first reading during the regular Council meeting on October 30, followed by a Public Hearing and second and third reading. Specific dates will be advertised once determined. For more information about the process, please see the Process for Continued Operation of Temporary Shelter graphic (pdf).

Currently, the temporary shelter is permitted to operate at its current location at Cannery Row (5239 53 Avenue) (pdf) until February 1, 2024.

This extension was approved by Council in January 2022 through the following items:

  • Land Use Bylaw extension with an amendment
  • Development Permit
  • Business License conditions

As part of the Public Hearing, property owners in Direct Control (DC) 28, and adjacent landowners, will be contacted by letter to give them an opportunity to provide feedback for Council’s consideration. Members of the public will also be invited to provide feedback. Details on how to participate in the Public Hearing will be provided following approval of first reading.

“There are many moving parts when it comes to housing and shelter in our community,” said General Manager of Community Services, Sarah Tittemore. “While we continue to work with the Province of Alberta to site and develop a future permanent shelter, the temporary shelter plays an important role in meeting the needs of people experiencing homelessness in our community.”

The City of Red Deer is currently working with the Province of Alberta, and a private landowner to explore the viability of a potential future permanent shelter site; however, it is still early in this process, and at this time, The City is not prepared to disclose the location to protect the land negotiation process, any rezoning processes that might arise, and associated confidentiality per its agreement with a private landowner.

The Red Deer Community Housing and Homelessness Integrated 5 Year Plan identifies an ongoing need for emergency housing in our community.

For more information about the temporary or permanent shelter, please visit reddeer.ca/shelter.

City of Red Deer

City of Red Deer Employee Honoured with Bob Stollings Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions

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Annette Scheper, Community & Program Facilitator in the Safe & Healthy Communities Department is The City’s 2025 recipient of the Bob Stollings Memorial Award.

The Bob Stollings Memorial Award is given out each year to a City employee who displays outstanding performance in alignment with The City’s RISE cornerstone values – respect, integrity, service and excellence. Nominations for the award are submitted by fellow coworkers detailing the employee’s achievements professionally and interpersonally, along with letters of support. The award is considered a great honour among City staff.

With an impressive 22-year career, Annette has played a pivotal role in shaping Red Deer’s cultural and special events landscape. Her leadership and innovation have brought thousands of successful events to life, creating lasting traditions that enrich the lives of residents. Her commitment to excellence and resourcefulness has ensured that community initiatives are inclusive, accessible, and impactful.

One of Annette’s most notable achievements is the development of the Community Loan Program, which provides essential resources for local groups, contributing an annual value of $86,778.95 back into the community. In addition, she has successfully led and executed a variety of large-scale events, demonstrating remarkable problem-solving skills and a dedication to sustainability. From creating elaborate event designs with repurposed materials to managing complex logistics, she continuously sets the standard for excellence.

“Annette exemplifies the best of our organization,” said City Manager, Tara Lodewyk. “Her unwavering dedication, innovative thinking, and ability to bring people together has made a profound impact on our city. This award is a testament to her hard work and passion for creating meaningful experiences for our community.”

The Bob Stollings Memorial Award was first established in 1985 and is presented every year to honour Robert (Bob) E. Stollings, a loyal and dedicated City employee from 1960-1984.

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City of Red Deer

Red Deer will choose a new Mayor as Ken Johnston decides to step away

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It’s a telling detail about the person who leads Red Deer City Council.  Always putting the city’s needs ahead of his own, Mayor Ken Johnston has announced his intentions within days of the opening of  Nominations for October’s municipal elections,

After 12 years on council, Mayor Ken Johnston has decided against running for a second term as Mayor this fall.  Johnson shared his decision in front of colleagues and supporters in a touching announcement on Wednesday.

At 71 years old, Johnston remains vibrant, passionate and healthy. He says that’s exactly why he and his wife Carolyn have decided now is the right time to start their next stage of life together.

Mayor Johnston listed a number of highlights and achievements he can look back on, including his help advocating for the redevelopment of Red Deer Regional Hospital, the growth of Red Deer Polytechnic, and positive moves in Economic Development.

All these lead of a feeling of ease about the decision to step away, though affordable housing and a permanent shelter for the homeless remain pressing concerns.

With about 8 months remaining in his term, Mayor Johnston is planning to push hard to move the needle on these housing issues.

“We’re looking forward to some more work and we’ll be going to the community shortly about it. So I still have optimism that maybe before the term is out we can have an announcement.”

This is the second major political announcement in Central Alberta in the last number of days.  Earlier this week Red Deer Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen announced he won’t be running in the next federal election.

 

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