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New logo sculpture celebrates Red Deer Polytechnic’s brand

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Collaborative efforts showcase CIM-TAC’s capabilities

An idea that started several months ago has been brought to fruition at Red Deer Polytechnic. A logo sculpture has been installed on the Polytechnic’s main campus to provide a creative visual representation that encourages on-campus engagement.

“The unique logo sculpture raises awareness about our polytechnic brand and provides opportunities for individuals to take photographs, demonstrating their pride and connection to our institution,” says Richard Longtin, Vice President, External Relations. “Along with current students and employees, we welcome alumni and donors to visit this sculpture on campus and to share their experiences on social media, as they play key roles as ambassadors for Red Deer Polytechnic in the surrounding communities.”

The sculpture, which is located near the institution’s main entrance, was built in the Polytechnic’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing (CIM-TAC) from 11 gauge, four by six-inch tubular carbon steel. After the curved sections were cut from steel plate using a waterjet machine, they were welded together and polished. The final piece was powder coated in Red Deer Polytechnic’s lime green by Metalstrip and Coatings Inc., a local supplier.

“The creation and installation of this project was truly a collaborative effort that involved students, faculty, staff, and community business partners,” says Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Director of the Centres for Manufacturing and Energy Innovation. “It also showcases how the CIM-TAC uses advanced manufacturing technologies to enhance current practices and improve outcomes.”

CIM-TAC staff designed and performed the engineering work on the RDP logo sculpture and collaborated with the Polytechnic’s Campus Management to determine the most effective manner of installation. Before construction began, CIM-TAC student interns from the Bachelor of Engineering transfer program visualized how the project would look on-site using augmented reality goggles. This process allowed them to evaluate if design adjustments would be required.

Many central Albertans and stakeholders are still learning about the diverse benefits of the institution becoming Red Deer Polytechnic and this sculpture helps to increase that awareness.

“When the brand of our institution changed this past October, it signaled a new chapter for Red Deer Polytechnic. With increased programming options, including apprenticeships, certificates, diplomas, micro-credentials, and more of our own degrees, we are a destination for learners from central Alberta, the province, and across Canada,” says Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic. “With a focus on the needs of central Alberta industry and the economic, social and cultural priorities of  the province, we are positioned to provide more career relevant education and training as a premier polytechnic institution.”

About the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing (CIM-TAC): While its Technology Access Centre designation was awarded in 2020, the CIM opened in 2009 as one of the key facilities of RDP’s Four Centres. Since then, they have collaborated with hundreds of small and medium sized businesses and entrepreneurs to create solutions to numerous real-world manufacturing challenges.

More information about CIM-TAC can be found online.

Alberta

Province considering new Red Deer River reservoir east of Red Deer

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Central Alberta reservoir study underway

Alberta’s government is moving forward a study to assess the feasibility of building a new reservoir on the Red Deer River to help support growing communities.

Demand for water from communities and businesses is increasing as more families, businesses and industries choose to live and work in central Alberta. The Red Deer River supplies water to hundreds of thousands of Albertans across the region and expanding water storage capacity could help reduce the risk of future droughts and meet the growing water demands.

Alberta’s government has now begun assessing the feasibility of building a potential new reservoir east of Red Deer near Ardley. A two-phase, multi-year study will explore the costs and value of constructing and operating the reservoir, and its impact on downstream communities, farmers and ranchers, and businesses.

“Central Alberta is a growing and thriving, and we are ensuring that it has the water it needs. This study will help us determine if an Ardley reservoir is effective and how it can be built and operated successfully to help us manage and maximize water storage for years to come.”

Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

Reservoirs play a vital role in irrigation, drought management, water security and flood protection. Budget 2024 allocated $4.5 million to explore creating a new reservoir on the Red Deer River, at a damsite about 40 kilometres east of the City of Red Deer.

Work will begin on the scoping phase of the study as soon as possible. This will include reviewing available geotechnical and hydrotechnical information and exploring conceptual dam options. The scoping phase also includes meetings with municipalities and water users in the area to hear their views. This work is expected to be completed by December 2025.

“Reliable water infrastructure is essential for Alberta’s growing communities and industries. The Ardley reservoir feasibility study is a vital step toward ensuring long-term water security for central Alberta. As we assess this project’s potential, we’re supporting the sustainability of our economic corridors, agricultural operations and rural economy.”

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

“Water is essential to the agriculture industry and if the past few years are any indication, we need to prepare for dry conditions. A potential dam near Ardley could enhance water security and help farmers and ranchers continue to thrive in Alberta’s unpredictable conditions.”

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation 

Once that is complete, the feasibility study will then shift into a second phase, looking more closely at whether an effective new dam near Ardley can be safely designed and constructed, and the impact it may have on communities and the environment. Geotechnical and hydrotechnical investigations, cost-benefit analyses and an assessment of environmental and regulatory requirements will occur. The feasibility phase will also include gathering feedback directly from Albertans through public engagement. This work is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026.

Quick facts

  • The Ardley dam scoping and feasibility study will be undertaken by Hatch Ltd., a Canadian multi-disciplinary professional services firm.
  • Once the feasibility study is complete, government will assess the results and determine whether to pursue this project and proceed with detailed engineering and design work and regulatory approvals.
  • Alberta’s government owns and operates several large reservoirs in the South Saskatchewan River Basin that help ensure sufficient water supply to meet demand from communities, irrigators and businesses, while also maintaining a healthy aquatic environment.
  • Water stored at Gleniffer Lake, the reservoir created by Dickson Dam, helps supplement low winter flows along the Red Deer River and helps ensure an adequate water supply for Red Deer and Drumheller.

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Red Deer

Judge upholds sanctions against Red Deer Catholic school trustee who opposed LGBT agenda

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From LifeSiteNews

By Anthony Murdoch

Monique LaGrange was ousted last December from the Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools’ board for comparing the LGBT agenda targeting children to brainwashing.

A Canadian judge ruled that a school board was justified to place harsh sanctions on a Catholic school trustee forced out of her position because she opposed extreme gender ideology and refused to undergo LGBT “sensitivity” training.

Justice Cheryl Arcand-Kootenay of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta ruled Thursday that the Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) Board’s sanctions placed against former trustee Monique LaGrange will stand.

LaGrange had vowed to fight the school board in court, and it remains to be seen if she can take any further actions after the decision by Judge Arcand-Kootenay.

The judge ruled that the RDCRS’s policies in place for all trustees, which the board contended were breached, were “logical, thorough, and grounded in the facts that were before the Board at the time of their deliberations.”

As reported by LifeSiteNews, the RDCRS board voted 3-1 last December to disqualify LaGrange after she compared the LGBT agenda targeting kids with that of “brainwashing” Nazi propaganda. As a result of being voted out, LaGrange later resigned from her position.

The former school board trustee initially came under fire in September 2023 when she posted an image showing kids in Nazi Germany waving swastika flags during a parade to social media, with the bottom of the post showing an image of kids waving LGBT “Pride” flags along with the text: “Brainwashing is brainwashing.”

After her post went viral, calls for her to step down grew from leftist Alberta politicians and others. This culminated in her removal as director of the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association (ACSTA).

In September 2023, the RDCRS passed a motion to mandate that LaGrange undergo “LGBTQ+” and holocaust “sensitivity” training for her social media post.

LaGrange, however, refused to apologize for the meme or undergo “sensitivity” training.

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