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Our Opinion (Editorial)
New idea for Riverlands worth
an Olympic cheer
Opinion reprinted from Red Deer Express (Johnnie Bachusky)
February 24, 2010
While Olympians continue
their quest for glory this week in Vancouver, there are those in
this city and region quietly moving forward with dreams of their
own.
Before the recession dropped like a bomb in late 2008 Red Deer was
positioning itself for an exciting and prosperous future with
ambitious Olympian-like plans for the Riverlands that featured a
canal-driven development concept with an ultimate goal of making the
city a major tourism destination point.
But after a less than thorough process, the City opted for a
Vancouver-imported plan that was less ambitious on the tourism
generating scale and more directed towards a glitzy revitalization
project for a new Red Deer community.
The latter proposal, while credible, was without any theme that was
either historically, culturally or geographically relevant, or even
remotely interesting, for the city or anyone visiting.
Now comes an idea from the Forth Junction Heritage Society, which is
pitching a concept it believes would be a world-class tourism
attractor. And it is certainly interesting, and relevant. The idea
is based on a ground transportation theme, particularly the railway
and its past and future role in the region. The concept envisions
using the Riverlands as its base in the city while stretching into
Red Deer County where the municipality is embracing open spaces,
trails, and heritage, with the latter underscored by its recent
acquisition of the historic Mintlaw trestle railway bridge.
Like the past proponents of the canal idea for the Riverlands,
society members are urging the public to think bold and big. They
note, even in spite of the recession, the timing is just right to
aim for the stars, particularly with Red Deer's 100th anniversary
just three years away in 2013.
What should appeal to the many naysayers of the past canal idea is
that the society has moved slowly and methodically with its
ambitions, and has come up with a plan that is original and
relevant, not transplanted from Texas or Canada's west coast.
The society was formed 10 months ago from a group of local
transportation historians and model railroaders. There is now a
board, society bylaws, business plan, non-profit charity status and
a web site. With Paul Pettypiece as president, the society also has
credibility.
The early and cautious word from City Hall is that the idea is an
interesting one and worth exploring.
While everything at this point is just preliminary, Pettypiece and
his people have certainly done their homework, far more so than the
well-intentioned proponents of the early canal idea.
And while any refined and final approved concept is still a long
ways off it is encouraging to know that dreams of glory, thinking
grand and big, are flourishing in this community. Like any great
Olympic performance, that is worth celebrating.
News articles about the Forth Junction Heritage Society
(more below):
News article: World-class destination centre
still in the works
(Innisfail Province Nov.2013)
Editorial: Praise today's big dream
(Innisfail Province Jan.2012)
Editorial: Railway concept captures region's uniqueness
(Olds Albertan Jan.2012)
Feature article: Forth Junction targets county
(Mountain View Gazette Dec.2011)
News article: Forth Junction pulling toward a
new station
(Red Deer Advocate Dec.2011)
News articles related to ACR/CPR Mintlaw bridge
mentioning the Forth Junction Heritage Society:
News article: Plans for Mintlaw Bridge waiting
on public feedback
(Mountain View Gazette Feb.2012)
News article: Opposition comes forward to Mintlaw Bridge preservation
(Mountain View Gazette May 2011)
News article: RD County antes up for Mintlaw
Bridge repairs
(Mountain View Gazette Nov.2010)
News article: Bridging gap between history and
disrepair
(Red Deer Advocate Nov.2010)
News article related to regional model and miniature railways
mentioning the Forth Junction Project:
News
article: Trains still roll for some
(Red Deer Advocate Nov.2012)
News articles related to historic downtown Red Deer redevelopment
mentioning the Forth Junction Project
(the original vision of the Forth Junction Heritage Society included
an attraction in the new downtown
Riverlands but this vision was modified to have one destination
close to the city and active rail line):
News article: Railyards: Open house on a
20-year plan for downtown (Red Deer Advocate June 2011)
News article: Riverlands: Strong turnout for
open house (Red Deer Advocate
March 2011)
Commentary: Red Deer could use more bold
visionary landmark designers
(Red Deer Express Sep.2010)
Michael Dawe articles related to regional railway heritage
mentioning the Forth Junction Heritage Society:
Region celebrating century of railroad
heritage
(Red Deer Express March 2010)
Mintlaw Bridge essential to region's railroad
heritage
(Red Deer Express March 2010)
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