APRIL 2013 Spring! Road Bans in Effect WHAT’S INSIDE VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION… ......PG6 AG PROGRAMS… .............PG12/13/14 Follow us on Twitter BENALTO SHOWCASE… ............PG 20 @reddeercounty GALAXY the right choice LANTERN STREET RED DEER “Proud to be in Red Deer County” 75177D5 Gasoline Alley, Red Deer County • www.reddeertoyota.com 403-343-3736 1-800-662-7166 Red Deer County News APRIL 2013 PAGE 2 JANUARY 23, 20077 Find Red Deer County on Facebook! Recently, Red Deer County expanded its engaged with their local government. communications efforts into a very popular The new Facebook link is: www.facebook. online program. Red Deer County is now com/reddeercounty posting regular information on Facebook – Simply click on the ‘Like’ button, and a website with over 700 million members. you can receive regular updates through According to Communications Manager your Facebook account. If you ever have Tyler Harke, “We are very excited to expand questions about Red Deer County, you our communications onto Facebook. This can call us at 403.350.2150, email info@ is a very popular site, and it should help us rdcounty.ca, or message us through Twitter spread the word about the programs and (@reddeercounty). services we offer.” Topics to be posted include Air service upcoming events, road and traffic information, as well as timely emergency information in the development requires event of floods, fire etc. Red Deer County has had a great deal of success on a similar social media long-term planning website – Twitter - where it has gained over 1400 ‘followers’, who Red Deer Airport CEO RJ Steenstra says receive daily updates on County the continued development of air service to happenings. central Alberta is a matter of both long-term The Communications department planning and being able to respond quickly now oversees five different to changing circumstances. platforms: Twitter, Facebook, “Air service development encompasses their infrastructure requirements and that YouTube, the Red Deer County a variety of activities with the ultimate show the community’s support of current website (www.rdcounty.ca), and goal of retaining existing air service or flight patterns and numbers. the County News newspaper. improving air access and capacity in order “Airlines don’t serve airports, they serve All of these different platforms to develop the economy of a community communities,” he says. “The first thing are aimed at keeping the public or region. It includes understanding the an airline looks at is, will the community local community, what drives its economy, support this decision? Airlines do a lot of and recruiting community and business analysis before establishing a new route, leaders to participate in efforts to ‘sell’ the and it usually takes a year to see whether the community to the airlines. It also involves route is successful. It’s a huge investment understanding the cost and revenue issues for an airline to come into a new market.” that influence carriers’ decisions on which And that, Steenstra says, is why the markets to serve,” says Steenstra. community has an important role to play Adequate air service is a prerequisite in air service development. While he’s busy for attracting investment and generating identifying opportunities and putting solid employment. Air travel also brings new business cases together on behalf of the visitors and incremental spending in local airport and the community, he says it’s hotels, attractions, and other businesses ultimately the community that can make and is directly related to the amount of the sale. economic activity in an area. Communities have to aggressively compete for air service; “Red Deer needs to set itself up to be participation by community leadership competitive so that we’re ready when in air service development initiatives opportunities come up, whether that’s establishes the credibility offered to target hosting a major event or attracting new airlines. industry” he says. “Airlines are also interested in business traffic because it’s “Developing and expanding air service is a complex process,” Steenstra explains. “It’s a consistent and profitable. If they knew big investment of time and effort by many there was a lot of business between here parties. We’re constantly monitoring and and Saskatoon, for example, they would be looking for opportunities to put business more interested.” cases forward to airlines.” That’s where the community can add a Steenstra says Red Deer Airport’s biggest strongly persuasive voice to Steenstra’s air priority is ongoing work with their existing service development work. “Ultimately, it airline, Northwestern Air, which recently speaks louder to airlines if a community expanded its Kelowna-Red Deer service and calls out for the service and states their added service to Abbotsford; he continues need,” he says. “They also have to prove to work with the airline to expand their it through current use. This is the holistic number of destinations and increase their view – the entire community speaking to service frequency. the economic benefit of connecting Red “I also monitor the environment for other Deer to the province, the country and the opportunities with other airlines,” Steenstra world.” says. “It’s important to be ready to identify Steenstra has done a lot of work to bring opportunities where it might make sense expanded air service to central Alberta for other air carriers to serve the Red Deer already, but he sees much work ahead, and area. Business plans of the airline have continues to focus on building community to align with the airport or it won’t be successful.” awareness around the vital role of the March 4, 2013 – Red Deer County’s Mayor Jim Wood airport as the region continues to grow. and Economic Development Coordinator Sandra Badry, While the development of new air service can take three to five years, Steenstra notes “It’s so important to keep what we have along with MLA Cal Dallas and representatives from that it is also important to be on the and to build it up,” he says. “Increased air neighbouring municipalities, showcase potential land lookout for opportunities that arise. “The services are the building blocks to becoming environment can change and airports need a viable regional airport, and a viable airport options in the Red Deer Region to delegates from Jovo to be on the lookout for those changes.” is the foundation of economic prosperity in Group Co. Ltd. This major Chinese Liquid Natural Gas An airline’s decision to serve an area is the region. We’re not competitive until we producer is exploring suitable locations for a potential not made lightly. According to Steenstra, have those connections to the hubs and can go from there to anywhere in the world.” major Industrial Park and Liquid Natural Gas facility. airlines look for communities that fit with their corporate culture and goals, that meet www.flyreddeer.com Red Deer County News APRIL 2013 PAGE 3 “What’s Happening”In Red Deer County? County Maps Available (LINC) - Employment Readiness Program for English We Welcome County Maps are available at the County Office. $15.00 Language Learners each for either a rolled (NOT laminated) or a folded. Improve your English workplace communication skills. Maps were printed in June 2012. This two level program for intermediate English language Your Feedback! learners focuses on employability and workplace skills. 2013 Optimist Juvenile Men’s & Women’s Curling Upon successful completion of both levels, you will be You can contact us with Championships prepared to apply for, obtain, and retain employment or questions or comments at February 28 through to March 3 at the Sylvan to seek promotion. You must be a permanent resident [email protected] Curling Club, with twelve teams from across Alberta or hold refugee status. Classes run from April 9 – June participating. In January 2014, the Alberta Scotties 27, 6-9 PM, Tuesdays and Thursdays at Donald School Red Deer County News is a free Tournament of Hearts will return to Sylvan Lake for a of Business downtown Red Deer. For more information monthly publication available to second visit. To discuss sponsorship opportunities or if you contact: [email protected] or 403.343.4010 Work all County residents. have any questions, please contact: Noreen MacCallum Placement Coordinator at Red Deer College. No charge 403.887.4010 Current issues of the County for participants. News are available free of Benalto Train Station Festival of Music and Dance Tuesday, April 23, the Benalto Train Station will reach its charge at the Red Deer County The Town and Country Dance Club will host their 6th destination in the heart of Benalto, south of 50th Ave Centre, or can be viewed Festival of Music and Dance on Saturday June 1, 2013. (Railway Ave) just in time for the Benalto Centennial. Featuring “The Reflections” and “The Diamonds Band”. online at With a legacy donation, you can be permanently This event will be held at the Spruce View Community recognized in the station interior, by train silhouettes. www.rdcounty.ca/news. Hall. Doors will open at noon and dancing starts at 1 For details contact Lynne Lawrence @ 403.746.5746 PM. Supper will be served at 5 PM followed by mystery MANAGING EDITOR: [email protected] or Dave More @ 403.746.3429 entertainment then dancing from 7 to 11 PM. The ADAM FERGUSON [email protected]. cost is $35 per person. For tickets contact Doug/Doris Corporate Communications National Victims of Crime Awareness Week: April 21 – 27 at 403.728.3333 or Cliff/Joan at 403.342.4317 or email Coordinator Blackfalds & District Victim Support Society provide [email protected]. PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION: coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to residents Red Deer Centennial RED DEER ADVOCATE in Red Deer County, Springbrook, Blackfalds, Clive, The year 2013 is the 100th birthday of the City of Red and Lacombe County.