Red Deer
Trevor Thomas will lead organization formed for advocacy and development of sport and events – Central Sport

Article submitted by Central Sport
Central Sport Announces New CEO, Trevor Thomas, and Welcomes New Board Members
Central Sport’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce it has named Trevor Thomas as its new CEO effective March 2023. Thomas brings with him 25 years of experience in post-secondary as an Instructor, Chair, and Associate Dean as well as almost a decade of coaching experience in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
“Our Board of Directors is thrilled to introduce Trevor Thomas into this new role with Central Sport. His expertise and commitment will allow Central Sport to continue to grow our mission to be the voice for sport in Central Alberta, connecting sport organizations through sport advocacy and development, sport hosting and event development, and sport inclusion and celebration.” says Russ Wlad, Board Chair. Thomas is well known in the community and transitions from a Board Director to this new role. He succeeds Scott Robinson, who is now the CEO of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce
“Being a Board member on Central Sport for the past year, I see how important this organization is in Central Alberta”, stated Thomas, “Local Sport Organizations need support more than ever coming out of COVID . Our Mission to be the voice for sport in Central Alberta, connecting sport organizations through three distinct operational pillars: sport advocacy and development; sport hosting and event development; and sport inclusion and celebration helps fill a gap in our region.”
Additionally, Central Sport strengthens its Board of Directors by appointing five new board members: Shawna Pearman, Rick Polutnik, Evan Hardy, Renae Clark, and Patrick Callan. Each of these new board members brings with them unique credentials, experience, and perspective to inspire growth in community development of sport in Central Alberta. They join current Board members Chair Russ Wlad, Past Chair Allan Ferchuk, Trent Rix, Lori Schiller, Todd Thiessen, and Patrick Wigmore.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are proud to welcome these five individuals to our organization. They each bring with them tremendous value and contributions in their respective fields with a shared focus on excellence and collaboration,” says Wlad.
As the Board of Directors continues to serve Central Sport and the Central Alberta community, diversity of skills and backgrounds of its members are key factors in influencing the growth, awareness, and collaborative opportunities Central Sport provides for local sport organizations and the community.
“I am thrilled with the strength and diversity of our Board. Everyone here is looking to make an impact and help Local Sport organizations in Central Alberta. New Board members were elected during the March Board Meeting and began serving at the end of March.
For more information, visit https://centralsport.ca.
ABOUT CENTRAL SPORT: Formed as a legacy of the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Central Sport is committed to connecting Central Alberta sport to build on the momentum created by the Games and to position Central Alberta as a leader in sport.
Alberta
Red Deer Justice Centre Grand Opening: Building access to justice for Albertans

The new Red Deer Justice Centre will help Albertans resolve their legal matters faster.
Albertans deserve to have access to a fair, accessible and transparent justice system. Modernizing Alberta’s courthouse infrastructure will help make sure Alberta’s justice system runs efficiently and meets the needs of the province’s growing population.
Alberta’s government has invested $191 million to build the new Red Deer Justice Centre, increasing the number of courtrooms from eight to 12, allowing more cases to be heard at one time.
“Modern, accessible courthouses and streamlined services not only strengthen our justice
system – they build safer, stronger communities across the province. Investing in the new Red Deer Justice Centre is vital to helping our justice system operate more efficiently, and will give people in Red Deer and across central Alberta better access to justice.”

Government of Alberta and Judiciary representatives with special guests at the Red Deer Justice Centre plaque unveiling event April 22, 2025.
On March 3, all court services in Red Deer began operating out of the new justice centre. The new justice centre has 12 courtrooms fully built and equipped with video-conference equipment to allow witnesses to attend remotely if they cannot travel, and vulnerable witnesses to testify from outside the courtroom.
The new justice centre also has spaces for people taking alternative approaches to the traditional courtroom trial process, with the three new suites for judicial dispute resolution services, a specific suite for other dispute resolution services, such as family mediation and civil mediation, and a new Indigenous courtroom with dedicated venting for smudging purposes.
“We are very excited about this new courthouse for central Alberta. Investing in the places where people seek justice shows respect for the rights of all Albertans. The Red Deer Justice Centre fills a significant infrastructure need for this rapidly growing part of the province. It is also an important symbol of the rule of law, meaning that none of us are above the law, and there is an independent judiciary to decide disputes. This is essential for a healthy functioning democracy.”
“Public safety and access to justice go hand in hand. With this investment in the new Red Deer Justice Centre, Alberta’s government is ensuring that communities are safer, legal matters are resolved more efficiently and all Albertans get the support they need.”
“This state-of-the-art facility will serve the people of Red Deer and surrounding communities for generations. Our team at Infrastructure is incredibly proud of the work done to plan, design and build this project. I want to thank everyone, at all levels, who helped make this project a reality.”
Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.
Quick facts
- The new Red Deer Justice Centre is 312,000 sq ft (29,000 m2). (The old courthouse is 98,780 sq ft (9,177 m2)).
- The approved project funding for the Red Deer Justice Centre is about $191 million.
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 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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