City of Red Deer
Red Deer recreation centres back in business! Here are the details!

City recreation centres to open for public use July 1
Indoor recreation facilities will fully open and all activities will resume, including drop-in programming, public swimming, access to fitness amenities, sport activities, community rentals, booked meetings and birthday parties.
After July 1, Activity Reservations will no longer be required, with the exception of outdoor and virtual fitness programs. As we work to provide a safe and welcoming environment for staff and visitors, there will be reduced capacities in some areas. If further guidance is provided by the Government of Alberta specific to recreation centers, some services may change.
āThis is what weāve all been waiting for,ā said Barb McKee, Recreation Superintendent. āOur staff are gearing up to welcome Red Deerians back to all the fun, active and creative opportunities in our culture and recreation facilities. We canāt wait to see you!ā
Amenities such as water refill stations, lockers, towel service and spectator areas will be available, and we will also welcome back our leaseholders, such as food service.
Passes and admission rates are as follows:
- A monthly Value Pass is currently available for $27, and provides unlimited access to all facilities. This limited time reduced rate is available until the end of July; as of August the Value Pass will only provide access to the Recreation Centre and Michener Aquatic Centre. Value Passes purchased in July will be pro-rated, based on the number of days remaining in July.
- Regular daily admission rates will be in effect starting July 1.
- As of August 1, regular pass prices will be in effect.
Learn more about Facility Fees and Pass Prices.
Operating hours are as follows:
- The Collicutt Centre and Recreation Centre will open on July 1, with statutory holiday hours from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Regular hours will start on July 2.
- Michener Aquatic Centre will open for regular hours on July 2.
- The G.H. Dawe Community Centre is currently under construction, with some services and areas not immediately available. Starting July 2, fitness and gym areas will open from 10 a.m. ā 8 p.m., daily.
We also continue to offer:
- Summer day camps, including full and half-day options.
- Outdoor fitness, included as a value add to all monthly passes.
- Virtual fitness, included as a value add to all monthly passes.
Additional information about recreation programs and opportunities is available online at www.reddeer.ca/RecUpdate.
City of Red Deer
City of Red Deer Employee Honoured with Bob Stollings Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions

Annette Scheper, Community & Program Facilitator in the Safe & Healthy Communities Department is The Cityās 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 Cityās RISE cornerstone values ā respect, integrity, service and excellence. Nominations for the award are submitted by fellow coworkers detailing the employeeās 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 Deerās 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 Annetteās 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.
āAnnette exemplifies the best of our organization,ā said City Manager, Tara Lodewyk. āHer 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.ā
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.
City of Red Deer
Red Deer will choose a new Mayor as Ken Johnston decides to step away

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