Thursday, October 16, 2008

Looking for the 'Wow' Factor in a Renewed Downtown Red Deer

The city of Red Deer is currently undergoing a review and update of its Downtown Action Plan. It has generated much more interest and excitement than what would be expected, in part due to the soon-to-be-available prime real estate close to the Red Deer River.

The city is moving several of its departments from an area that was essentially industrial to a new location freeing up a considerable amount of land between the downtown and the river. This has created the opportunity for new development that could include high-density residential, commercial, office, cultural and entertainment venues.

For some, it also creates the opportunity to create a significant tourist attraction with a 'wow' factor big enough to be a destination and encourage people travelling along Highway 2 to visit downtown. A proposal to create a series of canals similar to those in San Antonio, Texas that would pump water from the river has been met with mostly ambivalence or opposition.

A draft plan was recently presented to the general public that included water features and waterways from storm water rather than canals pumped from the river, pedestrian links connecting various parts of the city centre to the Waskasoo Park system, a hotel and convention centre, an outdoor amphitheatre, a culture and arts centre, a pedestrian corridor with an interactive bridge across the river, a year-round market and an undefined attraction tentatively called 'the Ark' that includes an observation tower.

Future development of the downtown will include three areas: the central core where a civic square and heritage centre is proposed, the railyards district that could have significant high-density housing and the amphitheatre, and the Riverlands district that would include most of the attractions (including the Ark, water features, cultural centre and hotel/convention facility) in an environment of pedestrian-friendly mixed use development.

The greatest potential for an attraction with that 'wow' factor probably lies in 'the Ark' and the area around it.

The preliminary suggestion is that it contain a tropical garden/forest offering tranquility from the elements and the hustle associated with a busy downtown. However, as attractive as that might be, it is not likely to attract many tourists.

There are a variety of other possibilities. To have maximum impact and value, it should appeal to a variety of interests, not only for tourists, but for the local populace as well. There should be information, interactivity, excitement, fun and opportunity to explore, for all age groups -- perhaps as an indoor theme park.

One possibility is a Centre of Human Mobility, demonstrating and experiencing human movement and transportation of the past and the possibilities for the future. Or, it could be a little more focussed and concentrate on mass movement of people with emphasis on boats, buses, rail and aircraft.

Or even more focussed yet, exploring the social impact of rail movement both past and future. After all, the area to be developed was once a significant rail yard and it was the railway that brought the city into existence and the focal point of Central Alberta. In the future, the city could be the centre of one of North America's first high speed rail systems.

Another possibility, using the Ark and water theme, a Centre for the Appreciation of Water Resources, exploring the significance of the quality and quantity of water as a catalyst for changing ecosystems and human development with specific emphasis on the Red Deer River watershed from the Rocky Mountains to Saskatchewan, from the last ice age to the uncertain future of climate change.

There are many other possibilities as well. Whatever ultimately is determined, the 'wow' factor should be based on what shaped or is important to Central Alberta rather than borrowing something from somewhere else that has no real meaning here. However, to attract tourists, it needs to have universal appeal, have a definite uniqueness about it and be developed to a high standard. Just as important, it needs to be an ongoing attraction and a focus of pride for residents of the city and Central Alberta.

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