4 RED DEER LIVING • FALL 2015
contents FA L L 2 0 1 5
VOL 5 • ISS 23
departments 7
FOOD | Meg’s Thanksgiving menu Meg Tucker shares what’s on her table at Thanksgiving time
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COMMUNITY | Celebrating community Red Deer & District Community Foundation salutes those making positive change
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16 15
14 HOMES | Settle down in Savanna One of Red Deer’s newest neighbourhoods has something for almost everyone 15 FEATURE | 100,800 strong and growing Red Deer reaches a population milestone 16 CULTURE | Culture in the city Alberta Culture Days set to take centre stage
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18 COMMUNITY | “If you build it…” Red Deer College has developed an impressive blueprint for the future
items 6 Editor’s message 22 You Said It
online exclusive OUTDOORS | Call for the wild Medicine River Wildlife Centre a life-saving resource for injured and orphaned wildlife digital.sourcemediagroup.ca/RedDeerLiving/fall2015
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Cover photo courtesy Red Deer & District Community Foundation
FALL 2015 • RED DEER LIVING 5
editor’s message
The recipe for a great community I value living in Red Deer. It’s a growing community where you can grow and yet still feel that warm and fuzzy feeling of home. Since my husband and I moved here — almost 13 years ago — I’ve learned so much about this area and the people who live here. When I compare my first impressions of Red Deer back then to the city where I live now, it makes me appreciate what it takes to build a growing city and, more than that, a true community. It takes a lot work and dedicated people to create this kind of place, and this edition of Red Deer Living looks at some of the people and achievements that make our region what it is today.
Source Media Group
info@sourcemediagroup.ca A S S O C I AT E P U B L I S H E R |
Jim Zang
jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITOR|
Shelley Newman
shelley.newman@sourcemediagroup.ca ART DIRECTOR |
Jean Faye Rodriguez
jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Dave Macaulay
We’ll start with the Food article, where the concept of community is distilled down to one of its most fundamental ingredients: family. The lovely and multi-talented Meg Tucker shares her thoughts on how to make Thanksgiving dinner a memorable and tasty event for the ones you love. Next, you’ll read about the community-minded women who were acknowledged at Red Deer & District Community Foundation’s Women of Excellence Awards. The incomparable Dorothy Dickson, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, shares her thoughts on community and volunteerism — lessons she learned as a child during World War II and has applied
dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca
Megan Sereda megan.sereda@sourcemediagroup.ca P R O D U C T I O N A D M I N I S T R AT O R |
Colleen Leier
colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITORIAL
Jennifer Blair, Shae Paterson, Laurette Woodward PHOTOGRAPHY
Tanya Lee, Shelley Newman, Shae Paterson ADVERTISING
advertising@sourcemediagroup.ca
throughout her life. Community building takes on a more literal context in the next two articles, as the Homes article looks at the Savanna neighbourhood being built by Avalon Central Alberta, and the Feature article looks at Red Deer’s recent achievement: passing the milestone population marker of 100,000 residents. Then, we’ll shift to the more cultural aspect of community with a look at how the local Alberta Culture Days celebration takes on a flavour that’s specific to Red Deer. The article “If you build it” looks at the exciting growth and changes happening at Red Deer College and how these will impact our region. Finally, we round out the magazine with the second installment of “You Said It,” where some animal-loving citizens share their thoughts about their beloved pets. As you can likely tell, we get really excited about community at Red Deer Living. We decided that we couldn’t just end with the content in our printed magazine, so we’ve created special extras online. Check out the digital edition extra to read “Call for the wild,” a look at the inspirational work and new projects in-the-works for the Medicine River Wildlife Centre. You’ll also find more cool stuff online, including a recipe for “stuffins” from Meg Tucker and even more information from the article “100,807 strong and growing.” No matter what community you live in, I hope that these articles give you an idea of what’s happening in Central Alberta and maybe even a bit of inspiration about things you can do in the place you call home.
@RedDeerLiving 6 RED DEER LIVING • FALL 2015
PUBLISHER |
RedDeerLiving
ACCOUNTING
Norma Robertson accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca DISTRIBUTED BY
Canada Post, Media Classified, Source Media Group P R I N T E D I N C A N A DA
© 2015 Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publishers. Red Deer Living™ is published 4 times per annum and is available free through select distribution points in and around Red Deer. Source Media Group agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility for claims or misinformation made by the advertiser and acts only as an advertising medium. Source Media Group reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion. Red Deer Living™ accepts editorial submissions and letters to the editor by electronic mail only. Please forward any submissions, including your full name phone number and return email address, to reddeer.editor@sourcemediagroup.ca CONTACT: Source Media Group, 207, 5809 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0J9. Tel 403.532.3101, Fax 403.532.3109, Toll free 1.888.932.3101. www.sourcemediagroup.ca
food
Meg’s Thanksgiving menu Meg Tucker shares what’s on her table at Thanksgiving time Story by Jennifer Blair Photos by Tanya Lee
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he first time Meg Tucker cooked a Thanksgiving turkey on her own was “a disaster.” “Nothing timed out at all,” says the 100.7 CRUZfm morning show co-host. “We were sweaty and frustrated, and by the end of it, we weren’t even hungry.” “All you can do is laugh and embrace it. That’s part of the fun of cooking.” With plenty of successful Thanksgiving dinners now under her belt, Tucker has come a long way since those humble beginnings — even making it to MasterChef Canada’s Top 25 in Season 2. But one thing has stayed the same throughout it all: her love of experimenting with food. “I love cookbooks for ideas, but I’m not a fan of following recipes,” she says. “I just love puttering and having fun.” And Thanksgiving is the perfect time for the amateur chef to have some fun in the kitchen with friends and family. “For me, Thanksgiving growing up was always about family — big family dinners and really good food and so much laughter and love,” says Tucker, who now celebrates the holiday with her fiancé, Wade, and two step-children, Michaela and Gavin. “Wherever I live, I just surround myself with people I love and really great food. Thanksgiving has always been very special to me.”
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SUMMER FALL 2015 2013 • RED DEER LIVING 7
food
“It’s Thanksgiving. It’s about giving thanks, so don’t stress out. Be thankful and eat yummy food.”
Pumpkin pie parfait
Tucker tries to keep her Thanksgiving dinner as simple as possible, while adding special little touches to “elevate” the meal. “I know people think that you have to go through so much extra work, but you don’t always have to be complicated,” says Tucker. “I love shortcuts and tips and little tricks.” Her first tip? Don’t go overboard. “You don’t need 10 things. As long as you’ve got your basics: the turkey, stuffing, potatoes and a couple of vegetables, you’re set.” The first thing Tucker does for her Thanksgiving dinner is brine a turkey in a salt, sugar and water solution. “It’s pretty simple, and I really think it makes the turkey a lot juicer.” Stuffing is a “key” part of Tucker’s Thanksgiving spread, and like most dishes she cooks, her stuffing — full of sausage, apples, nuts, and dried cranberries — doesn’t exactly follow a recipe. “I borrowed a little from one grandmother and a little from another grandmother and then I put my twist on it.” Tucker likes to make two types of potatoes — traditional and sweet — but again, she adds her own spin on things. “For a twist on mashed potatoes, add Boursin cheese or cream cheese, to take them over the top,” she says. “For the sweet potatoes, I mash them, add butter and a bit of brown sugar, put them in a casserole dish, and then drizzle them with brown butter, pecans and a little bit of brown sugar. I broil them for a couple minutes, and they get all candied and yummy.” If done right, Brussel sprouts can be “awesome,”
8 RED DEER LIVING • FALL 2015
Cranberry relish and carrots
says Tucker, who cuts the Brussel sprouts in half, blanches them in boiling water, and then pan fries them with olive oil, chopped bacon and shallots. Toward the end, she adds nuts and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Carrots are another favourite for Tucker and her family because they’re so simple. “You just peel and cut your carrots, cook them, and then at the end toss in butter and real maple syrup — real being the key.” says the New Brunswicker. And as for the “big debate” on cranberry sauce, Tucker is not a big fan of the canned or cooked variety. “What I grew up eating is a cranberry relish. It’s divine.” In a food processor, simply blend one bag of fresh cranberries, one orange — peel and all — enough sugar to taste, almonds, and a little cinnamon and nutmeg. “It’s the easiest thing in the world.” For dessert, Tucker serves up a traditional pumpkin pie or, for a tasty and kid friendly twist, pumpkin pie parfait — layers of crumbled graham cracker crust, pumpkin pie filling and whipped cream with cardamom or nutmeg. And while those special little touches may seem “fancy,” they’re quick and easy ways to “elevate” a meal — “but in a way that you haven’t lost your mind.” “You can break your bank and go insane, and by the time it rolls around, you’ve just lost your mind — but you don’t have to,” says Tucker. “It’s Thanksgiving. It’s about giving thanks, so don’t stress out. Be thankful, and eat yummy food.” RL
Ever tried “stuffins” or stuffing muffins? Check out Meg’s recipe in the digital edition extra at digital.sourcemediagroup.ca/RedDeerLiving/fall2015 or visit her blog at MegTuckerCooks.com.
community
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY Red Deer & District Community Foundation salutes those making positive change By Shelley Newman
For more information visit www.rddcf.ca
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he spirit of community building is a pivotal part of the Red Deer & District Community Foundation’s work every day. Once a year, the Foundation takes this spirit to the next level with the Women of Excellence Awards Gala, a special nod to local women who have a profound impact on the communities in which they live. “Every year, I’m in awe of the nominees and the stories I hear at the awards gala. Plus, we see such gracious acts from all of the nominees” says Kristine Bugayong, chief executive officer with Red Deer & District Community Foundation (RDDCF). “Last year, when the recipient’s name in one of the categories was announced, the nominee who didn’t receive the award hugged her. It actually happened twice!” This sense of community and support has been a common thread since the Women of Excellence Awards began and, at the eighth annual event held in June, 428 people attended to support their loved ones, friends and colleagues who were nominated. Out of the 25 nominees, 11 were recipients of awards in a variety of categories. “One of the biggest things we hope all people take away from the awards is the inspiration to contribute to their communities,” Bugayong says. “When the nominees allow the Foundation to share their stories, it can help to inspire others and that’s very powerful.” Fundraising is also a component to the Women of Excellence Awards, as all proceeds from the raffles and silent auction items support the Women and Girls Endowment Fund, which was established in 2008 with the inaugural awards gala. “This is a
field of interest fund, which means it could support a wide variety of projects that could help the lives of women and girls,” explains Bugayong. The Foundation will grant from the fund for the first time this year, and it is expanding the fund through annual donations based on a giving circle model. As a community organization, RDDCF has seen positive growth in recent years, and Bugayong credits this to its relationships and partnerships with local organizations and citizens. In terms of asset size, the Foundation grew from $10.4 million at the end of 2012 to $12.4 million at the end of 2014. “Over the last 25 years, the RDDCF has invested almost $9 million dollars back into the community through grants,” explains Bugayong. “That is pretty significant and, because the time horizon of the RDDCF doesn’t end, we will continue to respond to the ever changing community needs.” “We are fortunate to have such strong relationships with Central Albertans. More and more people are seeing philanthropy as a way to make social change and have an impact on their community.”
“One of the biggest things we hope all people take away from the awards is the inspiration to contribute to their communities.”
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FALL 2015 • RED DEER LIVING 9
community
Eight decades of volunteerism Dorothy Dickson receives the Lifetime Achievement Award
W
hen Dorothy Dickson learned she’d been nominated for a Women of Excellence award in the Environment category, she asked her daughter, Kathleen, to join her. “I had two tickets, and she lives nearby, so we planned on going together,” she says. “But, when we were sitting at our table at the event, I looked up, and my other family members were coming in to join us — there were eight of us altogether!” Seeing her family that night wasn’t the only surprise, as Dickson also received the Lifetime Achievement Award, the prestigious award reserved for women who have done immeasurable good in their communities. “In hindsight, perhaps I could have guessed I might receive the award when my family arrived,” she laughs. “But, I was so surprised when my name was called that I was speechless, and that’s unusual for me!”
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For Dickson, who remains a passionate environmentalist and naturalist at the age of 87, her exposure to community and volunteerism came at a very young age, when her family lived south of London during the Second World War. “Volunteering was a way of life,” she says, “everyone helped the community in some way.” Her early volunteer experiences included everything from clearing shrapnel off the road with the other children as they walked to school to teaching Belgian refugees how to speak English. As a 12-year-old, she was also responsible for looking after two or three younger children when they needed to go to the air raid shelters at school and when they walked to and from their classes. “One morning when we were going to school, I saw a plane coming toward us, so I threw us all into the ditch,” she says. “The pilot shot along the road with his machine guns, and then he came back and made a second pass.” Despite the sometimes life-threatening situations during wartime, Dickson credits her range of experiences — both good and bad — with shaping who she is. “It was very good for our generation, because we learned to take on responsibility,” she explains. “My parents also encouraged us to speak out when we had questions or saw something that wasn’t right, and that was very important.” As an adult, Dickson became a teacher, marrying her husband in 1952. The couple came to Canada with their two daughters in 1963 and moved to Calgary five years later. In Calgary, her volunteerism bloomed, particularly in the environmental area. Her interest in nature, however, had been a lifelong passion. “I was born in Australia and lived there until
“It’s our responsibility to use our knowledge to make changes that can help the environment.”
community 2015 Women of Excellence Awards winners
AGRICULTURE
Elna Edgar
BUSINESS AND THE PROFESSIONS
Michelle Andrishak
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Brenda Kolasa Photos courtesy Red Deer & District Community Foundation
I was five,” she says. “I had a favourite banana tree in the backyard, and my parents used to tell me that, from the time I was very small, I would go out and tell the banana tree my troubles whenever I was upset.” From her attachment to nature at a very young age, Dickson has dedicated herself to environmental preservation and conservation, serving on many boards and working with countless projects at the local, provincial and national levels. She has been involved with everything from setting up one of Canada’s first recycling projects in 1972 to planning in national parks to contributing to Red Deer’s city planning documents. Dickson’s perspective as a naturalist drives her to learn how all living systems work and are inter-related. “As humans, we’re a part of the natural world, and we can’t survive without nature,” she says. “Sometimes, we can fix and forgive past mistakes in the systems we invented to support our lifestyles, such as the economy, health and education. But, it is beyond our ability to re-invent this planet’s natural life support systems if we over-stress them — that’s something that can’t be forgotten or forgiven.” With her on-going drive to preserve the natural world, Dickson continues to share her passion and dedicate her time to volunteerism. “It’s our responsibility to use our knowledge to make changes that can help the environment,” she says. “It will take time, likely a long time, but we can work toward positive changes that will preserve our world.”RL
ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE
ATHLETICS, RECREATION AND FITNESS
Ellen Corea
Arlene Hjertaas
COMMUNITY BUILDING
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Tanya Schur
Linda Moore Martin
ENVIRONMENT AND LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Dorothy Dickson
HUMAN SERVICES
Ethel Suarez
Brenda Rebman
YOUNG WOMAN OF EXCELLENCE
Kaitlin Grovet FALL 2015 • RED DEER LIVING 11
homes
Settle down in Savanna O ne look at Avalon Central Alberta’s newest townhome development on Red Deer’s southeast side will put any misconceptions to rest. “Savanna is an awesome community full of great people,” says Kevin Schreder, sales manager for Avalon Central Alberta. “The whole area is full of family-based neighbourhoods, and Savanna is no different.” Perfectly situated in Laredo close to parks, schools and grocery stores, Savanna has just over 100 brand new townhouses in three different styles — traditional two-story townhomes; townhomes with front garages; and single-level ‘garden’ homes. That diversity is one of the real benefits of buying in Savanna, says Schreder. “It’s a nice community because there’s such a mixture of buildings and price ranges,” he says, adding that the floor plans range from 1,100 square feet to 1,350 square feet. The blend of housing styles attracts everyone from firsttime home-buyers to people who are downsizing. “The good thing about something like Savanna is we’re able to get a price range that’s more affordable for people,” says Schreder. “If you just continue to build single-family houses, they get more and more expensive, and then it’s hard for first-time homebuyers to save up a down-payment and get into it.” Because they come with two bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs — as well as an optional basement with extra bedroom, bathroom, and living area — Savanna homes are perfect for people who are looking to share
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One of Red Deer’s newest neighbourhoods has something for almost everyone By Jennifer Blair
ownership. “You can get into shared ownership or have a roommate with a Savanna home and still have your own space,” he says. “The floor plans are all spacious and open.” And no matter which style someone chooses, “they all look amazing,” says Schreder. Buyers can choose upgraded countertops, flooring and appliances, but if they don’t want “all the bells and whistles,” the standard suites come with high-quality materials and stylish design elements too. Savanna townhomes are inspected by the Holmes Approved Homes program and come with sustainable features like low-flush toilets, energy efficient furnaces and triple-glazed windows, among other things. All of the materials used outside are also “low-maintenance.” “The fencing is a very durable vinyl fence, not wood, so you don’t need to stain it or maintain it all the time,” says Schreder of the fully fenced backyards. “It’s in there and it’s going to last.” But the real benefit of buying in Savanna is the convenience, he says. “The great thing about living in a community like this is you don’t have to do any outside maintenance, like mowing or snow shoveling,” says Schreder. “When you come home, you can just sit on the deck and have a drink, rather than coming home and cutting the grass. All of that’s taken care of for you.” And with over half the properties in Savanna sold already, Schreder has one piece of advice for prospective buyers: “Buy one. You won’t regret it.” RL
Perfectly situated in Laredo close to parks, schools and grocery stores, Savanna has just over 100 brand new townhouses in three different styles…
feature
100,807 STRONG AND GROWING Red Deer reaches a population milestone
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he little city that could has definitely become the city that can, as Red Deer recently reached a historic benchmark for its population. The 2015 municipal census numbers, released by The City of Red Deer in June, report that 100,807 people now live in the city, representing a 2.2 per cent population increase compared to last year. “It was amazing to see how enthusiastic people were about reaching this population milestone,” says Craig Curtis, Red Deer’s city manager. “This is an important watershed moment for Red Deerians collectively, as it changes how we perceive ourselves.” Now that we’ve crossed this 100,000 threshold, Curtis notes that it will also change how others perceive our city. “The new population puts Red Deer into a different grouping when it comes to grant funding at a provincial and federal level,” he says. “It also means that we’ll be grouped with Saskatoon and other mid-sized cities when it comes to opportunities for research projects from across Canada.” From an economic perspective, Curtis believes our new population status will put the community on the radar for companies who are looking for headquarters for their operations. “Red Deer is situated perfectly for economic growth and development,” he says. “The regional population is also growing, and we’re now serving a region of over 300,000 people.” As the community continues to grow, there will be more hotel and conference spaces in the city, which in turn will create more positive economic opportunities for tourism and hosting major conferences and events. As one upcoming
example, “the 2019 Canada Winter Games will certainly be a wonderful opportunity to showcase Red Deer, highlighting our amenities and services, as well as our culture,” says Curtis. When it comes to the evolution of Red Deer’s culture and its status as a growing city, Curtis has seen many changes since he first came to the community in 1980. “In that time, there have been a few key initiatives that have really allowed Red Deer to grow and develop,” he says. “These include the relocation of Westerner Park from the downtown, the relocation of the railway line west of the highway, and the relocation of The City’s civic yards. The former yards site is now being planned as Craig Curtis a major mixed use redevelopment connecting the downtown to the river.” With Red Deer now past the 100,000 mark, plans are being made for the continuing growth of the city. “We’ve certainly seen some rapid growth over the past decades,” says Curtis. “Looking ahead, we expect Red Deer will be approximately 175,000 by 2041.” RL
Photo courtesy The City of Red Deer
By Shelley Newman
For more on this article, visit us online at digital.sourcemediagroup.ca/RedDeerLiving/fall2015 To view Red Deer’s complete municipal census report, visit www.reddeer.ca/census.
Downtown Red Deer from Michener Hill. Photo by Shelley Newman
FALL 2015 • RED DEER LIVING 15
culture
CULTURE IN
THE CITY Alberta Culture Days set to take centre stage By Laurette Woodward
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rt is a part of our identity as Canadians, Albertans and Red Deerians,” says Peter McGee, special events coordinator with The City of Red Deer. “It defines us and makes us who we are.” Celebrating art and culture is the purpose behind Alberta Culture Days, set this year for September 25, 26 and 27. Alberta Culture Days events are intended to be ‘free’ to attend. In Red Deer, there is a charge for a few related, but separate, events such as a performance by Bull Skit Comedy group and a family dance, but most events are free. “You don’t have to be an artist or art aficionado to enjoy yourself,” says Diana Anderson, coordinator of Red Deer Arts Council. “Everyone’s invited.” Visual artists will discuss their ideas with you as they create right in front of you. Line dancers might lasso you to join them on the pavement as they boot-scoot. And your children will have the chance to make their own piece of art work. Red Deer will have some new Alberta Culture Days Activities this year, including a family dance at Festival Hall, a kid’s celebration at the Red Deer Museum & Art Gallery and “Doors Open” – a tour of historical buildings. “Light up the Night” is also in its third year and will take place behind the Recreation Centre at Rotary Park and Heritage Square, offering more to do once the sun goes
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down Saturday night. You can expect local artists, dance demonstrations, live street art, musicians from multiple genres, food trucks and a kids zone (with face painting, bouncy castles, interactive painting). Alberta Culture Days is paid for primarily through grants from the provincial government. Organizers also have a number of partnering organizations. Most of the events will take place in Red Deer’s downtown area, but there are also a few events at Red Deer College. “Most people might not realize how vibrant the arts are in our community. It’s a chance for people to discover what we have here,” says Anderson. “It also gives us an opportunity to support local artists and showcase to the community what these individuals can do and contribute,” says McGee.
culture Art Alley project continues in Red Deer
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A
ooking for more evidence that arts and culture is alive and well in our community? Perhaps you’ve seen the growing number of murals painted on the sides of buildings in the downtown area. Behind the John Howard Society is 2014’s addition. The murals are a part of the “Art Alley” project in Red Deer. The thinking behind the project is that art on the exterior of a building will be respected by people who might otherwise vandalize a space with graffiti. Adding the art contributes vibrancy and safety to an area. “People have an appreciation for that art,” says Steve Woolrich, project manager for Art Alley. “It’s rare to see vandalism on the murals because there is a street level respect for other street artists.” The City of Red Deer and the Downtown Business Association have partnered on the project, seeing the addition of murals each summer for several years. 2015’s artists have been mentoring ‘at risk’ youth as they add murals in new locations at Fratters Speakeasy Venue, CanWest Travel and The Buffalo Hotel. “It’s more than just art,” says Woolrich, “it’s about having less crime and vandalism and, importantly, it’s about healing.” RL For more information: www.facebook.com/artalleyrd
“It gives artists a chance to make money doing what they love.” Anderson says what started small several years ago has really grown, and it is benefitting the city. “Relationships have developed between arts people,” she says. “Culture Days is work, but it’s well worth it. It makes our community more vibrant because we aren’t working in isolation any more. I see more people helping each other throughout the year. Cross-pollination of ideas is a good thing.” RL
Looking for more Culture Days events in Red Deer? For more information or to confirm locations/times: www.reddeer.ca and search “Alberta Culture Days” www.facebook.com/reddeerartsdays www.culture.alberta.ca/culturedays
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A The mural at Fratters Speakeasy in Red Deer, a part of Art Alley 2015. Photo courtesy Steve Woorich.
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B Artist working on a chalk creation at Alberta Culture Days. Photo courtesy Wendy Meeres.
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C Chalk art creations. Photo courtesy Wendy Meeres. D Musical entertainment at Alberta Culture Days. Photo courtesy City of Red Deer Culture Services.
FALL 2015 • RED DEER LIVING 17
community
“If you build it...” Red Deer College has developed an impressive blueprint for the future
I ABOVE: Architectural rendering of the Centre for Health, Wellness and Sport. BELOW: RDC President and CEO Joel Ward with students in the 3-D printing lab in the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing. Photos courtesy Red Deer College.
t will be a noticeable, impressive building — not just for people on campus, but also for the thousands who drive by it on the QEII highway every day. Red Deer College (RDC) is about to embark on an exciting new phase of its growth, as construction on the $88 million Centre for Health, Wellness and Sport is set to begin this fall. “There is nothing like this facility in Central Alberta and, I would argue, nothing like it in the country,” says Joel Ward, RDC president and CEO. “The new centre will allow us to expand and enhance RDC’s programming and host national-level tournaments and events.” As part of this hosting, the Centre for Health, Wellness and Sport will be an important venue for the upcoming 2019 Canada Winter Games. While the entire facility will be used during this two-week event, two specific areas — the ice arena and the squash courts in the fitness centre — are required venues for the Games. When the centre isn’t in use for RDC programming, it will also be available for public use and for RDC to partner with other community organizations. Most importantly for Ward, it will be a pivotal piece for the college’s growth and development moving forward. “This is the last facility piece in our goal for RDC to achieve polytechnic univer-
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By Shelley Newman
sity status,” he says. “This status would mean that we’d continue to do everything that we currently do now, with the addition of being able to grant our own degrees.” The RDC leadership team is currently working with Alberta’s provincial government to discuss this status change, and the two groups will meet this fall to further discuss the possibility. “We aren’t asking for funding, just for a change in the legislation, which would acknowledge RDC as a polytechnic university,” says Ward. “Once this is done, then it would take us approximately another five years to be seen and recognized and known as a polytechnic university.” Polytechnic university status would enhance RDC’s present and future programming, and it would also provide additional opportunities for local youth to stay in Central Alberta to get their post-secondary education. “Lethbridge, which has a college and a university, retains 75.6 per cent of its potential post-secondary students, compared to the 33 per cent who currently stay in Central Alberta,” Ward explains. “Local participation rates suffer because we don’t have a university, and what’s an even greater shame is when students don’t attend post-secondary because they can’t afford to leave home.” While having a local polytechnic university would be an economic benefit for students, Ward also believes that it will have important economic, social and cultural impacts on our entire region. “The word ‘university’ matters at an international level when you’re looking to attract businesses and professionals,” he says. “The more that people are attracted to the region, the more opportunities there will be, including opportunities for students who are educated here. It’s another way to help build strong rural communities.” RL
community
A look at the new Centre for Health, Wellness and Sport The new facility will include several key components including: FITNESS CENTRE
Multiple fitness areas, squash courts and a track GYMNASIA
A 1,200 seat spectator gymnasium and dryland sports areas
COMMUNITY SPORTS ADMINISTRATION
ICE ARENA
An ice surface that can be configured for Olympic or NHL formats, along with seating for 1,100 KINESIOLOGY AND SPORT STUDIES EDUCATIONAL AREA
Supports for RDC programming, with classrooms, laboratories and related facilities
Includes the provincial office of Hockey Alberta
FALL 2015 • RED DEER LIVING 19
| ADVERTISING FEATURE |
Radisson Can Recognized worldwide, Radisson hotel is now in Red Deer
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For more information on Radisson Hotel Red Deer or the Club Carlson rewards program, visit radissonreddeer.com
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t Radisson, three little words provide the fundamental philosophy for all of its operations: “Yes I can!” This service-minded, guest-friendly approach isn’t just the hallmark of the entire company: it’s also an integral part of the operations at Radisson Hotel Red Deer on 67 Street. “All of our departments have been trained with the World of Radisson service philosophy that sets us apart from the competition,” says Karima Suleman, vice president of Radisson Hotel on 67 Street. “When you come to our hotel, you will see every employee with a ‘Yes I can!’ pin, meaning that everyone is ready to make guests feel valued and special.” This type of positive guest experience is a pinnacle aspect in all of the Radisson hotels, and something that been enhanced at the Red Deer hotel since it re-opened in February of 2015. The hotel, which is conveniently located at 6500 67 Street, has both the atmosphere and the amenities to make for a comfortable and enjoyable stay. “To help enhance the hotel experience, all of our guest rooms, as well as most of the public areas, were recently renovated,” Suleman explains. The hotel has 142 guest rooms in total, including 33 suites with four whirlpool suites. Suleman notes that “everything is on site,” and this includes a restaurant, the newly branded West 67 Bar & Grill and 20,000 square-feet of meeting spaces, which feature meeting rooms and three ballrooms, including the beautiful Winspear Ballroom. “It’s a great place for people to hold meetings, banquets, conventions, holiday parties and weddings,” says Sulemen. “Plus, for people who are looking to book Christmas parties this year, we still have some dates open, so they can enjoy all that these great spaces have to offer.” Radisson Hotel on 67 Street offers its guests recreational activities as well, with an indoor pool, whirlpool and steam room, plus tremendous access to a
fitness centre and spa. “Planet Fitness is located in the hotel, which means that our guests have easy, convenient access to this 7,500 square foot centre,” Suleman says. “This is a great facility that has been locally owned for over 30 years.” Radisson guests can access Planet Fitness as part of their stay at the hotel, and the public is also welcome to purchase memberships to the centre, allowing them access to the full range of circuit, cardio and free weight equipment, as well as a juice bar, personal trainers and nutritionists. Guests and Red Deerians can also enjoy a new haircut and other services at the Solace Salon, located on the lower level. As a few other perks offered at Radisson hotel, guests can enroll in Club Carlson — a free enrollment opportunity — that provides a fast way to earn points that can be used toward future hotel visits. Also, Radisson Hotel Red Deer provides its guests with a complimentary hot breakfast, fast WiFi and free parking. “These complimentary features, together with all our amenities, help to provide high value for guests who are staying with us in Red Deer,” Suleman explains. Radisson also values the community of Red Deer, and the organization chooses to support “a lot of local causes, including the Ronald McDonald House and Loaves and Fishes-organizations that are very dear to our hearts!” says Suleman. Radisson doesn’t just contribute to its local community: it also looks at ways to help on a global scale, starting with the Club Carlson carbon offsetting program. “Club Carlson is the first hotel loyalty program to commit to a global meetings and events offsetting initiative,” Suleman explains. “Members can book meetings and events, knowing that carbon credits will be automatically purchased to offset the estimated carbon footprint – at no cost to the planner or client.” Club Carlson then partners with Carbon Footprint to purchase these carbon credits, and each ton of carbon will be offset with investments in renewable energy in India plus the plangent of one tree in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. n
“These complimentary features, together with all our amenities, help to provide high value for guests who are staying with us in Red Deer.”
you said it
What kind of pet do you have and what is its name? By Shae Paterson
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A Bichon Shih Tzu named Ginger.
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A Yorkie Chihuahua cross named Princess Katie. Vince, travel agent
ABassett Hound named Brewski. Jillian, insurance agent
Joanne, administrative support
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A Golden Retriever named Janko. Lilly, age 8
A German Shepherd named Rory. Megan, receptionist
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A Golden Retriever & a Border Collie named Jade & Sparky (respectively).
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A Cat named Kitty. Ester, age 11 Nathan, age 9
Lisa, communications consultant
Shae Paterson has a strong interest and background in all things technical, and he is a student in the Technical Theatre program at Red Deer College. 22 RED DEER LIVING • FALL 2015
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A Hedgehog named Axel. Kyla, server at Mr. Mike’s
Thank you to Red Deer & District SPCA for allowing Red Deer Living to take these photos at its annual open house event in July.
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Artistic perspective
Jim Westergard shares humour and social commentary through his art
H
e’s incredibly creative and a truly skilled craftsman. Jim Westergard has spent decades exploring the world through the lens of his imagination, and he translates these explorations into unique, intricate works of art. These days, the internationally renowned Red Deer printmaker and artist dedicates much of his time to creating complex wood engravings, which he then puts onto his letter press to create beautiful prints. Throughout his career, he has worked in other many mediums, including ink and pencil drawings and oil on paper paintings. This fall, Red Deerians will have the opportunity to see and appreciate Westergard’s work at two different locations. The exhibit “Crocky Rocky Prairie Fairy: Prints & Drawings by Jim Westergard,” will run at Red Deer Museum & Gallery from Oc-
tober 10 until January 31. The survey show has been organized by Mary-Beth Laviolette, an art curator with a specialty in Alberta art. “Jim has a real contemporary sensibility that is engaged with popular culture,” she says. “He also loves insects and the stranger looking creatures that live on planet Earth and has done many wood engravings about them. He’s got real range as an artist.” This range will be demonstrated throughout the 45 drawings and prints at the show, with themes from several of his series, including “Myths & Masks,” “Oddballs” and “Retired Canadian Comic Book Heroes.” Looking to the future, Westergard will continue working in his backyard studio, surrounded by pictures of his grandchildren and objects that inspire him. “I’m always adding to my weird themes ‘See What I’m Saying?’ and
‘Aliens from Planet Earth,’” says the retired Red Deer College instructor. “I definitely spend every day that I can in my studio, thoroughly enjoying what I do.” Visit www.reddeermuseum.com for details on the upcoming MAG exhibit. Examples of his art are available at www.telusplanet.net/ public/jimwest. n White Gallery Exhibit Westergard will also have an exhibit in the White Gallery, located beside Sunworks, starting on September 4. “This exhibit will feature wood engravings from my ‘See What I’m Saying?’ collection,” he says. “I like to play with words and create visual, twisted interpretations based on words, and I’ve been gathering ideas for this collection for many years.”
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