RDC?president welcomes subdivision

Plans for the development of a commercial and residential subdivision adjacent to Red Deer College is being greeted with enthusiasm by the institution’s president.

Ron Woodward thinks several positive outcomes should flow from Qualico Developments (West) Ltd.’s plans for the 90-acre parcel southeast of the college.

Qualico, which is the company behind the Southpointe Common shopping centre farther east, recently purchased the farmland west of Taylor Drive from Jim Bower. It wants to use about 45 acres for commercial development, and also to build 600 to 700 units of multi-family housing.

Qualico has indicated that it wants to work with the city to preserve a natural area next to the college property. And a year ago, the city set aside $1.25 million to protect about 10 acres of treed land there.

The Calgary company hopes to obtain municipal approval of a neighbourhood area structure plan for the land this summer, with the installation of infrastructure and the construction of buildings to follow.

“We’re really pleased that they’re moving forward with it,” said Woodward. “I think it’s good for the college.”

He said Red Deer College officials had talked to Bower about developing access routes to the main campus and other college lands though his property.

Now Qualico is involved in those discussions.

“We’ve had a very good relationship with Jim Bower over the years and certainly our discussions that have involved Qualico have been equally as positive,” said Woodward.

The importance of maintaining open green spaces and creating an “integrated community parcel” has also been discussed, said Woodward. He suggested that the development of the Bower lands will have a big impact on the college’s long-term plans.

“It’s a package, really.”

Woodward also thinks students and staff at the college will benefit from having access to housing and shopping when the development is in place.

Contact Harley Richards at hrichards@reddeeradvocate.com

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