Alberta - Tier II City Thread

[SunCoaster]

As a former Albertan I eagerly read and often participate in the various Alberta threads ... I've noted the Alberta threads are split about 45% Edmonton, 45% Calgary and 10% for the province in general ... what's missing, in my estimation, is a thread dedicated to new developments and other 'happenings' in Alberta's tier 2 cities (Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, St. Albert, Fort McMurray and Grand Prairie) ... my question Alberta foumers and former Albertan forumers too is - would there be enough interest to sustain a thread dedicated to Alberta's tier 2 cities? ... and are there sufficient Alberta forumers located in these tier 2 cities to provide input and/or metro Edmonton/metro Calgary forumers who have enough knowledge of/interest in these tier 2 cities to keep such a tread going? Let me know what y'all think ... hopefully we can make this thread viable! Thanks in advance for your interest.

[Boris2k7]

Based on the polls conducted when this forum was made...

Alberta Section Stickies
Alberta Forumer Count: Where are you from?

... I would conclude that at this point in time there would not be enough traffic to really sustain the thread. Most people are concentrated in the Big 2 cities, as mentioned, and that is also where the vast majority of projects are under construction or proposed. Red Deer, the third largest city in the province, doesn't seem to have any major proposals at all.

But what the heck, let's have a go with it and see what happens.

I would suggest changing the title though. Tier II is rather... offensive.

[SunCoaster]

Thanks for your input ... and, I'd be glad to change the thread title ... but, not sure how to do it ... also, do you and/or another forumer have a suggestion for a more appropriate thread title? ... my objective is to hopefully stimulate a decent, sustainable, thread so any assistance to that end is appreciated

[Boris2k7]

Originally Posted by SunCoaster

Thanks for your input ... and, I'd be glad to change the thread title ... but, not sure how to do it ... also, do you and/or another forumer have a suggestion for a more appropriate thread title? ... my objective is to hopefully stimulate a decent, sustainable, thread so any assistance to that end is appreciated

I'll have to think about that one. Maybe get back to you later on that one...

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by Boris550

I would suggest changing the title though. Tier II is rather... offensive.

I don't see why it's offensive, it's just a statement of fact. Much like how a community of 500 is a village, one of 5000 is a town, etc. Different population centres get ranked differently. Unless people are suffering from the typical inferiority complex. Most folks I've met from the Hat or Lethbridge are very PROUD of their "nowhere near as big as Calgary but still decent sized cities" ranking.

Hell, looking at the country as a whole you'd certainly rank Calgary and Edmonton as "Tier II" cities - and I don't see a single thing wrong with that.

In the spirit of your post, though, we could go this route: Calgary and Edmonton are now labelled "Tier I" cities, and the Red Deers, Lethbridges, etc are labelled "Class A".

[240glt]

Red Deer, the third largest city in the province, doesn't seem to have any major proposals at all.

Actually, I understand that a 14 story office building is in pre-construction right now in Red Deer. Red Deer College also has lots going on.

[Xelebes]

Originally Posted by 240glt

Actually, I understand that a 14 story office building is in pre-construction right now in Red Deer. Red Deer College also has lots going on.

I remember there was a sketching out there for that 14-story in Red Deer. Where is it?

[Surrealplaces]

There was also talk about Fort Mac getting a couple of 30 something floor residential towers.

[Champion3]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Most folks I've met from the Hat or Lethbridge are very PROUD of their "nowhere near as big as Calgary but still decent sized cities" ranking.

As somebody who grew up in the Hat, I can assure you: most Hatters think of everything in terms of how it relates to Medicine Hat. It's like it's in its own little bubble. Kind of like in Team America: World Police (2004) where every location is given as a distance from America.

[djcollege]

Originally Posted by freeweed

I don't see why it's offensive, it's just a statement of fact...

... Hell, looking at the country as a whole you'd certainly rank Calgary and Edmonton as "Tier II" cities - and I don't see a single thing wrong with that.

In the spirit of your post, though, we could go this route: Calgary and Edmonton are now labelled "Tier I" cities, and the Red Deers, Lethbridges, etc are labelled "Class A".

Here! Here! I move to re-label Alberta's mid-sized cities as "Class A". Only a few ex patriots of one of these urban locations, and those that couldn't desert them when the living was not so good would understand a tag like the one you suggest - freeweed.

[CanadianCentaur]

GP's now past the 50K mark. Looks like the growth's not even slowing down!

Grande Prairie Eclipses 50,000 Population Mark
Monday, August 20, 2007 4:02:00 PM

It's official! Grande Prairie has more than 50,000 residents.

Results of the Municipal Census undertaken in late spring show the City’s new population is 50,227, a 6.69 percent increase over the 2006 Statistics Canada figure of 47,076. The City’s population has climbed by 12.53 percent since the 2005 City enumeration, which recorded Grande Prairie with 44,631 residents.

Anticipating high growth had occurred, a census was held to help establish the City’s population. Grant dollars increase with a higher number of residents. As well, the City budget and business planning assumption requires accurate population information.

“We’re delighted to reach this important threshold,” says Mayor Wayne Ayling. “This information will help us address the service needs of our bourgeoning population. These increases confirming Grande Prairie’s status as a growing, vibrant Canadian city are also important to the business community and investors. Fifty is a significant number as we celebrate our half-century mark as a City in 2008.”

Last year’s federal census established Grande Prairie as the second fastest growing city in Alberta, behind Airdrie. That head count indicated the City is the third fastest growing mid-sized urban centre in the nation.

A report providing detailed analysis of the census will be prepared in late September, highlighting more in-depth information such as gender, age and other demographic data on a neighbourhood basis. The 2007 Population Analysis Report will be available for purchase. Residents will be able to access a summary on the City’s website.

[Boris2k7]

*whistles*

That is pretty impressive growth for a city of that size. GP's going to pass Medicine Hat pretty soon then. Or is the Hat experiencing a boom as well?

[CorporateWhore]

Originally Posted by Boris550

I would suggest changing the title though. Tier II is rather... offensive.

Good point. II might be too high for Red Deer.

[Boris2k7]

Some content for this thread... looked up that RDC stuff.

http://www.rdc.ab.ca/planning/land_use_master_plan.html

So far, just a link to the master planning pages... not sure which one of these is the selected plan, but here they both are:

Option 1


Option 2

[Boris2k7]

A link to the City of Red Deer 2007 Projects page:
http://www.reddeer.ca/Connecting+wit...nstruction.htm


Project Engineering & Construction

The various infrastructure projects in this section include major roads, water, storm, sanitary, reservoirs, bridges and detention ponds.

The major projects for 2007 [...] include:

• Road & Sidewalk Improvements
• 32 Street between 55 Avenue & 57 Avenue including Red Deer College Access
• 43 Street Widening - West of 54 Avenue to 49 Avenue
• Oak Drive Extension
• Industrial Arterial Roadway - Southwest of Highway 11A & West of QEII Highway
• 32 Street Sidewalk Improvement (55 Avenue - Taylor Drive)
• 60 Street Sidewalk (51 Avenue to Gaetz Avenue & 52 Avenue to 54 Avenue)
• New Sidewalk & Transit Improvements - Various Locations
• Streetlight & Power Pole Relocations - Various Locations
  
  Greater Downtown Action Plan (GDAP) - Traffic Initiatives
• No construction/improvements planned in 2007
  
  City Subdivision Development
• Johnstone Crossing Phase 8
• Oriole Park Phase 3 - includes Red Deer River Bank Training
• Timberlands Phase 1
• Northwest Industrial Development - Phase 1 West of QEII Highway & Highway 11A
  
  Traffic Signals
• 32 Street & Webster Drive
• Johnstone Drive & Edgar Industrial Drive
• Collicutt Centre Access & 30 Avenue
• Ross Street & 36 Avenue
• Ross Street & 38 Avenue
• Olymel Access & 40 Avenue
• 77 Street & 40 Avenue
• Traffic Controller & Field Equipment Upgrade
• Safety Initiatives at High Accident Intersections
  
  Studies (Various Locations)
• RDC Access/32 Street Functional Design
• Northland Drive Functional Design
• Gaetz Avenue/32 Street Functional Design
• Southeast Red Deer Transportation Improvements
• Traffic Control Infrastructure
• Traffic Safety Initiative
• Timberlands Neighborhood Area Structure Plan & Servicing
• Northeast Servicing Study
• Riverlands Traffic Impact Assessment
  
  Water, Sanitary, Storm Projects
• Water Trunk Crossing Red Deer River
• Water Supply Trunk along 45 Avenue from 59 Street to 63 Street
• 30 Avenue - 55 Street to 67 Street Trunk - Water Trunk
• Industrial Development Southwest of Highway 11A & QE11 Highway - Water Trunk
• 45 Avenue Sanitary Infrastructure - Sanitary Trunk
• City Timberlands (NW23) - Sanitary Trunk
• Northland Drive Trunk - 30 Avenue to Riverside Drive - Sanitary Trunk
• Riverside Drive Trunk Twinning - Sanitary Trunk
• Industrial Development Southwest of Highway 11A & QEII Highway - Sanitary Trunk
• 67 Street Storm Trunks & Pond - Storm Trunk
• College Park - Storm Trunk
• Industrial Development Southwest of Highway 11A & QEII Highway - Storm Trunk

[Xelebes]

Ooooo... actual material to talk about!

[frinkprof]

I'd be quite interested in development in other cities especially Lethbridge, Grande Prairie, and perhaps Red Deer. However, I don't know how much I'd be able to contribute as far as project information goes.

If a thread is able to be sustained, I nominate a title of "Rest of Alberta Construction"

[frinkprof]

University of Lethbridge's Expansion Plans

Phase I


Phase II


http://www.uleth.ca/exp/plan/#morepics

The light grey is existing, the dark grey is proposed.

[SunCoaster]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

University of Lethbridge's Expansion Plans

Phase I


Phase II


http://www.uleth.ca/exp/plan/#morepics

The light grey is existing, the dark grey is proposed.

Do you know if Arthur Erikson is the architect of record for the expansion or, does his firm have any involvement in the expansion?

Also of note, here in BC a bunch of the larger regional colleges (eg. Fraser Valley Regional, Okanagan) are being converted into something between a 'true' college and a 'true' unversity as in they now grant degrees etc ... I wonder if Alberta's larger regional colleges will follow suit (eg. Red Deer Regional, Grand Prairie Regional and Northern Lights etc.)?

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by SunCoaster

Do you know if Arthur Erikson is the architect of record for the expansion or, does his firm have any involvement in the expansion?

I have absolutely no idea. I just did a google search for "University of Lethbridge Master Plan"

I was mainly interested because I grew up in Lethbridge close to the university, my sister went there, and my brother currently goes there.

I paid a visit there less than a month ago and they had recently completed a new gymnasium and fitness centre, it looked pretty good. They are also working on an expansion to another building although I can't remember which. I can certainly see expansion being ramped up there since their enrollment is growing quite a bit, partially due to Calgary-area kids that can't get into U of C due to enrollment space issues.