Welcome to 2012

We are now a week in to 2012 and so far it doesn't seem like the end of the world. Unseasonably warm, yes. But end-of-the-world hot ... I don't think so.

2011 was a busy year; for me personally, in the region and here at city hall. In fact I was so busy that my last post was back in October which is pretty sad. So like everyone else I guess I'd better have a New Year's Resolution - I'm going to set a goal of one post every week. Let's see how it goes.

Looking back at 2011 there were a number of projects started, completed and celebrated. I believe the most significant  was the development of Council's new Strategic Plan. The plan sets out Council's values, priorities and goals for the balance of the term.

Some of the most important goals are aimed directly at reducing the need for future property tax increases by addressing the financial foundation and framework the city operates within. These goals are:

• Develop a fiscal sustainability model
• Prepare a post-annexation plan
• Prepare a strategy to encourage industrial land development

The exercise of working through the Strategic Plan ensured that each council member and administration had a chance to develop a shared understanding of what our collective priorities were. This collective focus  is what enabled us to pass a 3 year budget that provides the lowest tax increases in a decade while still reinvesting in the infrastructure and services that our community needs.

In 2011 we did the big stuff. We set out our long term strategic goals and developed the budget that will provide the financial resources to work towards them over the next 3 years.

So what does that leave for 2012? That'll have to be next week's post...

Economic Development Partners with ACFA to Recruit

Did you know that Grande Prairie has the 3rd largest French Association in all of Alberta? Not bad for being the 7th largest city in the province right? The size of our Francophone community is a real asset for our city as it leads to some very important partnerships like the one below. 


The City's Economic Development Officer will be traveling with ACFA representatives to Brussels and Paris in an effort to highlight the job opportunities available in our region.


It goes to show that investments to support and partner with our cultural communities make us an attractive place to live - and if we're an attractive place to live then people will consider moving here when they might not otherwise. 


With the labour market tightening up again Grande Prairie will benefit from the doors our cultural communities can open for us. 


All the details are below in the City media release. 

Recruitment Opportunity for Grande Prairie Employers
Media Release
October 24, 2011


The City of Grande Prairie is representing the region at the Destination Canada job fairs in Paris, France and Brussels, Belgium in partnership with the L'Association Canadienne-Française de l'Alberta (ACFA).

“There is a skilled worker shortage developing within our region,” says Brian Glavin, Economic Development Officer. “The Destination Canada event is an excellent opportunity for our community as the applicants have been pre-screened to be fluent in English as well as being skilled workers.” The events, which run from November 15th-19th, will have between 3,500 and 4,000 job seekers.

“The job fair provides employers with access to a pool of highly qualified workers looking to relocate to Canada,” says Glavin.

The job seekers span a wide range of specialties, from engineers and mechanics to chefs and surgeons. Companies looking to hire skilled employees can contact the Economic Development department for more details or sign up directly on the Destination Canada website.

Media enquiries may be directed to:

Brian Glavin
Economic Development Officer
City of Grande Prairie
780.538.0475

Michelle Margarit
Director
ACFA - Grande Prairie
780.532.6335

New Traffic Lights Being Installed

View Traffic List Installations in a larger map
The pins above mark the locations of the new lights.

Traffic Signal Construction Projects Begin

Installation of traffic lights will commence today in three separate locations.

Crews will at begin at the 104 Ave. and 92 St. intersection, continue to the 116 Ave. and 96 St. intersection and finish at Kateri Drive where a pedestrian crossing will be erected near Derek Taylor School.

Most of the work will be carried-out away from the road, but some delays are expected when the signal poles and overhead light arms are craned into place.

Patience is appreciated as the addition of traffic signals to these busy intersections will significantly improve safety.

Media enquiries may be directed to:
Roger Hodgson
Project Engineer
780.513.5229
rhodgson@cityofgp.com

Ice Delay Possible at Dave Barr Arena

Installation of ice at the newly renovated Dave Barr Community Centre may be delayed until October 27, a few weeks beyond the originally scheduled Oct. 11 date. 

Improvements to the rink at the Dave Barr Community Centre are taking longer than expected. A $1.4-million project has included a new condenser, boards and glass, and revamping of the heating and ventilation system. Fire sprinklers and other infrastructure needs were also addressed.

Dave Barr management is working with Coca-Cola Centre and Crystal Centre personnel to accommodate ice time demands. User groups have been made aware of the projected delay.

The delay is connected with the manufacture and installation of the board and glass system. 

Once these are in place, staff will work around the clock, with help from the City’s other two arenas, to ensure the ice surface is in as quickly as possible.

“We are working to tighten-up the time frame of when user groups can get onto the ice,” says Garry Roth, Community Services Director. “Running extra shifts will minimize the down-time.”

Help Name The New Fire Hall!

The City of Grande Prairie is encouraging the public to take part in a process to help name the Third Fire Station.

This is the first time residents have been invited to participate in the naming of a City fire facility.

The two existing stations bear the names of historical community figures. The North Hall is named after William Salmond – an area pioneer – and the South Hall recognizes Pete Eagar – the first full-time Fire Chief of the Grande Prairie Fire Department.

“This is an opportunity to involve citizens in a positive, community-building experience,” says Dan Lemieux, Fire Chief. “We want to celebrate the contributions of our founders.”

Residents can send an e-mail to thirdfirehall@cityofgp.com with a nominee and a rationale of 100 words or less explaining why the Third Fire Station should be named after that person. 

Proposals can also be mailed to Rick Adair at P.O. Bag 4000, Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 6V3.

A safety related prize will be awarded for the winning submission!

“The Station doesn’t necessarily have to be named after a fire-related figure,” says Rick Adair, Project Manager of the Third Fire Station. “The Grande Prairie Fire Department appreciates the role all our community builders played in shaping the city.”

The deadline for nominees is September 15. City Council will have final approval of the Third Fire Station name.

The new facility, located at 97 Avenue and 118 Street, will open in Spring 2012.

Health Advisory Council Meeting

So, this isn't city business but I know people are interested in the state of healthcare in our city and the province so when I got notice of this in my email inbox I thought I'd share it. I've put the important sections into a BOLD font.

If you have any questions or comments, I CANNOT ANSWER THEM: Please direct them to the health advisory council at:

Peace Health Advisory Council
peace@albertahealthservices.ca
1-877-275-8830


Dear Community Stakeholder:
The Peace Health Advisory Council would like to invite and engage with all interested individuals and groups to attend either of the health care forums we are hosting in July and August to provide input on local and regional health and provide feedback to Alberta Health Services regarding health care services in our North Zone.

On Thursday, July 21, 2011 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. we will be in Grande Prairie and on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 we will be in Peace River. Location in Grande Prairie is the Elks Hall 10806-106 St.

Part of our mandate as a health advisory council is to engage the public to gather opinions, concerns, bright ideas or suggestions on gaps and opportunities and to share success stories related to health care services and to relay the messages to Alberta Health Services.

The forums will be an excellent opportunity for the Peace Health Advisory Council to gather feedback from the public. The open mike format will be utilized with each speaker allowed two to five minutes to present their information. We will be happy to accept any written presentations whether as supporting documents or as the entire presentation. Additionally, should you wish to present to the Peace Health Advisory Council at a regular council meeting at a later date you may request an opportunity to do so. The information we receive from the public forums will be condensed into an advisory report to Alberta Health Services regarding local ideas, opportunities, challenges and opinions.

We are very interested to hear your opinion regarding health services. Please be advised the Peace Health Advisory Council does not have the mandate to deal with individual patient concerns or the day to day operations of the health centres but rather works in an advisory capacity to Alberta Health Services.

Please join the members of your Health Advisory Council on either date to share your ideas and provide feedback about health care in our area so that we can ensure that we convey your message to Alberta Health Services.

Respectfully,
Theresa Sandul, Chair
Michael Ouellette, Vice-Chair

GP's First BMX Park!

BMX Site To Be Ready By August

Construction on Grande Prairie’s first BMX bike park is set to begin Thursday.

Located west of the off leash dog park in the South Bear Creek section of Muskoseepi Park, the site was chosen for its high visibility, availability of space, and accessibility from park trails. It’s also adjacent to neighbourhoods and schools. The bike park will be completed in about three weeks.

 “The BMX park was made possible by the generous support of Wapiti Gravel Suppliers which delivered and levelled over 10,000 cubic meters of soil and Genivar providing free design consultation, engineering and surveying services,” says Laurie Barry, Operations Manager at Muskoseepi Park.

“This is a community partnership driven by the local BMX enthusiasts who wanted something positive for youth to develop their interest in the sport and we are proud to add this facility to the park”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the facility is scheduled for Park’s 25th Anniversary event on the August long weekend.