(Stony Plain, Alta.) May 10, 2013: The Canadian Red Cross has assisted 64 individuals affected by an apartment fire in Stony Plain on Thursday evening. Members of the Canadian Red Personal Disaster Assistance Team conducted needs assessments at the Stony Plain Royal Canadian Legion on Friday and are providing emergency food, clothing and accommodation for the next 72 hours as required to those who have been affected.

The apartment fire in Stony Plain marks the 16th personal disaster that the Red Cross has responded to in Alberta since April 24. For this particular response, 10 volunteers donated approximately 20 hours to help support those affected by the fire.

“The fact that the Red Cross can respond so quickly to assist vulnerable people affected by disasters is because of the dedication of our volunteers,” says Steve Armstrong, director of the Canadian Red Cross in Alberta. “The generous donations of Albertans enable us to provide the training and mentoring to prepare our volunteers to respond to families and individuals in their time of need.”

Individuals affected by this fire who require Red Cross assistance are asked to call 1-888-800-6493.

“We are grateful that no human lives were lost in this fire, which is due to the quick response time and courageous actions of our dedicated emergency personnel,” says William Choy, mayor of Stony Plain. “We are very proud of our firefighters, EMS and RCMP. Also, we appreciate the assistance from our neighbouring municipalities who came to our aid so quickly. We all feel for the people who had their homes destroyed and for all the displaced families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. We are also amazed by the generosity of our residents – the outpour of support and donations for the victims has been overwhelming. It truly speaks to the character of this close-knit community.”

The Red Cross Personal Disaster Assistance Team is a group of dedicated volunteers who assist families and individuals with local, small-scale disasters. The Canadian Red Cross provides food, shelter, clothing and additional services for 72 hours to people affected by personal disaster.

The average cost of a response in which a family of four is assisted is $2,000. All Canadian Red Cross support is provided at no charge to those in need. To donate to this locally funded program please visit your local Red Cross office, call 1-800-418-1111 or go online to www.redcross.ca.

STONY PLAIN, AB – An early-evening fire on Thursday destroyed 36 units in a Stony Plain apartment building, displacing 50 residents and at least five pets. Approximately 60 firefighting personnel from the Town of Stony Plain, the City of Spruce Grove and Parkland County battled the large structural fire for several hours. One person and several pets were rescued; however, no injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Crews were dispatched to Sonora Apartments, located at 4501-A Golf Course Rd., at approximately 6:45 p.m. One of the two three-story, multi-unit buildings was on fire. When firefighters arrived, the blaze was rapidly spreading eastward, due to high winds. Within minutes, the fire had consumed most of the building and was not under-control until later in the evening.

Residents from both buildings were evacuated, and Golf Course Rd. was closed in both directions for more than four hours. Residents from Building ‘A’ were allowed to return home later in the evening, while those from Building ‘B’ – the complex that burned – were left homeless. A reception centre was set up at the nearby public golf course clubhouse for approximately 20 people, where they were fed, attended to and registered with Stony Plain and District Victim Services. Lodging at local hotels was arranged for these residents; others stayed with family or friends.

“We are all saddened by this unfortunate incident, and our thoughts go out to all those impacted,” says William Choy, mayor of Stony Plain. “The outpouring of support from our residents for the victims has been amazing and is greatly appreciated. It’s times like this when we see how our community bands together.” Choy also praised the quick response and heroic efforts of the firefighters. “Once again, our community can be proud of the work our volunteer firefighters performed,” he adds. “The courage, selflessness, humility and commitment of these men and women does not go unnoticed. We also thank our regional partners for providing manpower, resources and support.”

A donation centre has been set up at the local Royal Canadian Legion (4902 – 44 Ave.) to help the victims. Bedding, clothing and toiletries will be accepted until Noon on Friday, May 10.

Firefighting crews will work throughout the night to ensure the fire is completely extinguished and to commence mop-up. The cause of the fire, which is believed to have started on the exterior of the building, is not known and is under investigation. The total estimated monetary loss is also not yet confirmed.

About the Stony Plain Fire Department The Town of Stony Plain Fire Department provides residents of Stony Plain and District 3 within Parkland County with fire suppression and rescue services. The Department is comprised of three full-time staff and a contingent of more than 40 volunteer firefighters.

Social Equity The Town of Stony Plain is committed to developing and maintaining a community focused on creatively meeting the needs of residents, through the promotion of equality, well-being, safety, citizen participation and involvement. Social Equity is one of the four core values of the Community Sustainability Plan, which guides the Town in its decision-making and actions.

For more information, visit stonyplain.com.

Spruce Grove… Jubilee Park will be filled with the sounds of Canadian rock band Harlequin at this year’s Canada Day Celebration in Spruce Grove.

The band, well known for their hit singles including Innocence and I Did It For Love, will be the headliners on the Beaverbrook Main Stage at the July 1 celebration.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming iconic Canadian classic rock band Harlequin to Spruce Grove for Canada Day,” said Spruce Grove Mayor Stuart Houston. “It’s going to be a great show and I would encourage all our residents to come to the beautiful Jubilee Park and enjoy the free entertainment.”

Opening for Harlequin will be 100 Mile House and Punch Drunk Cabaret.

Husband and wife duo Peter Stone and Denise MacKay, plus multi-instrumentalist Scott Zubot, are behind the folk sounds of 100 Mile House and will be on the main stage from 7–8 p.m.

They will be followed from 8–9 p.m. by the rockabilly music of Punch Drunk Cabaret, a dynamic trio that will enchant the crowd with their turn-of-the-century look and “outlaw country” sound.

Harlequin will take the stage from 9:30–11 p.m. and the evening will conclude with the Melcor Fireworks display at 11 p.m.

For more information on the Canada Day Celebration, visit www.sprucegrove.org/celebrate.

Alberta Crime Prevention Week is May 12 – 18, 2013

Spruce Grove/Stony Plain RCMP celebrates Crime Prevention Week.

Come join your local RCMP officers as they show off their fleet of equipment used to keep you and your community safe.

Equipment used by RCMP and some of our law enforcement  partners will  be on display at the Westland Market Mall on Wednesday May 15, 2013.

Please join us, come ask a question, look at our equipment, or visit with the officers and local crime prevention groups.

A BBQ with hamburgers and drinks will also be available.  All funds raised will be donated to Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and District Victim Services Society.

Alberta Crime Prevention Week is a time to promote community safety through crime prevention.  All Albertans have a role to play in making Alberta a safe place to live, work, and raise families and every person can make a difference whether using strategies to enhance your personal safety; reporting suspicious activity in your neighborhood; joining a crime prevention program or actively taking a role.

The initiative was part of Operation: Clean Sweep – the theme of the 46th-annual Pitch-In Canada Week (April 21-27, 2013). This is the thirteenth consecutive year that the Town has participated in this program – the largest environmental improvement campaign in Canada, which operates in communities across the country.

“It is amazing what many hands can do,” says William Choy, mayor of Stony Plain, who issued an official proclamation of the week-long initiative on April 19. “It really makes a big difference. We encourage everyone to invest some time to help clean up their neighbourhoods. Our entire community reaps the benefits and rewards of those who pitch in and do their part.”

The group met at Shikaoi Park at 11:30 a.m., where it launched its spring-cleaning ‘attack,’ picking up, and disposing of, garbage. A combined 23 bags of trash were collected within half-an-hour. Following the 30-minute-makeover mission, the groups gathered at the Stony Plain Youth Centre (SPYC) for lunch, which was prepared, served and sponsored by the staff and youth at the SPYC.

About Pitch-in Canada Week

A partnership between governments, the media, industry and the public, Pitch-in Canada Week is an annual initiative that involves more than 3.5 million registered volunteers, who participate in a wide range of clean-up projects and activities each year. Annual campaign results are incorporated in the world-wide Clean-up-the-World statistics. Pitch-in Canada Week is supported by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) (Source: pitch-in.ca).

About Pitch-in Canada

Founded in 1967, Pitch-in Canada is a national non-profit organization that was started by volunteers concerned about the proliferation of packaging and its effects on land and marine environments. The organizers recognized that personal action, with assistance from – but not dependent on – governments and other stakeholders was needed to conserve, enhance and protect the environment and to reduce and reuse waste. Today, Pitch-In Canada involves millions of volunteers in various action programs, from initiating recycling and composting programs to cleaning up and beautifying streams, wilderness and urban areas (Source: pitch-in.ca).

Environmental Responsibility

The Town is committed to environmental responsibility, by protecting its natural resources and promoting responsible consumption patterns that encourage living within our ecological limits. Environmental Responsibility is one of the four core values of the Community Sustainability Plan – the Town’s strategic plan.

For more information about the Town’s environmental policies and initiatives, visit wipeoutwaste.ca or stonyplain.com.

Members of Town Council and staff from the Town of Stony Plain invested 30 minutes of their work-day to clean up the area surrounding the Town Office on April 25. The initiative was part of Pitch-in Canada, a nation-wide event held every year. Mayor William Choy officially proclaimed Pitch-in Canada Week 2013 (April 21-27) in Stony Plain on April 19. Pictured is approximately half of the group that participated in this year’s Spring Clean-up event. 

Spruce Grove… Local non-profit groups looking to earn some funds for their projects are being encouraged to apply to volunteer at the City of Spruce Grove’s Canada Day Celebration on Monday, July 1.

First, groups must register with the Community Service Partnership Program, which is an initiative where groups can donate their time in exchange for a financial contribution from the City.

There are a range of volunteer opportunities available at this year’s Canada Day Celebration, including:

·         Pre-event set up (June 30) and tear down (July 2)

·         Helping out at the KidZone area

·         Working as part of the Green Team (picking up litter, emptying recycle bins, etc.)

·         Monitoring park and ride sites and assisting passengers as required

·         Assisting at the information and volunteer tents

·         Providing on-site traffic control

Groups who apply and are selected to volunteer at the Canada Day Celebration will receive an honorarium for their assistance.

Interested community and non-profit groups are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. For more information, visit www.sprucegrove.org/CDvolunteer or email events@sprucegrove.org.

While the number of permits issued for new residential construction is down slightly from the same time-period last year – from 39 to 36, total construction values have increased by 13.87 per cent – from $7,804,643 in 2012 to $8,886,862 in 2013. Quarterly residential building stats reflect new construction for single-family, medium-density and high-density housing.

Two permits, for a combined construction value of $2.1 million, have been issued for new commercial and industrial developments so far this year, compared to five permits for $9.02 million after the first three months of 2012.

“Our community is still growing at a strong pace, which is exciting, but it is equally important that we manage this growth responsibly,” says William Choy, mayor of Stony Plain, referencing a Capital Region Board Report that designates Stony Plain as a Priority Growth Area within the Capital Region over the next 20 years.

“We are blessed with tax revenues that growth provides, but it also impacts our infrastructure – our streets, water, sewage and public safety. We must ensure that growth affects residents in a positive way. The key is to balance fiscal responsibility with service levels that provide the quality of place that our residents desire and deserve.”

Between Jan. 1 and March 31, the Town issued 36 permits for alterations and additions to existing residential and commercial properties – 34 and two, respectively. The number of electrical, gas and plumbing permits issued in the first quarter decreased from those issued during the first quarter of 2012 – from 249 to 184.

Official stats, including a detailed breakdown of the numbers, will be included in a Quarterly Permit Statistics Report that will be presented to Town Council at the Apr. 22, 2013 regular Council meeting. First quarter stats, and archived statistical information from past years, can be accessed from the Town’s website.

Click here to download.

For more information, visit www.stonyplain.com.

Spruce Grove… Nominations are now open for the City of Spruce Grove’s 2013 Awards of Excellence, which recognize achievements and contributions that benefit the City and the community.

The awards were established in 2003 to recognize people who have made a significant contribution to the City of Spruce Grove or received national or international recognition for their achievements.

“Spruce Grove is home to many of the country’s most respected artists, educators, innovators, athletes and community builders,” said Spruce Grove Mayor Stuart Houston. “Residents who know people who meet the award criteria are strongly encouraged to nominate them so we can honour and recognize these individuals and the lasting impact they have made to our community.”

The first honorees were inducted in 2005. Categories for nomination include Arts, Athletics, Community Service, Education, Environment, Innovation, and Special Citation for Significant Achievement.

Past inductees include Grant Fuhr (Athletics), George B. Cuff (Community Service), Dr. Locksley McGann (Innovation) and Lorna Kemp (Arts).

Nomination packages with complete eligibility details are available at City Hall, 315 Jespersen Ave.; Spruce Grove FCSS, Queen Street Place and at www.sprucegrove.org/aoe.

Nominations will be accepted until April 30, 2013, and the winners will be announced in June.

TROOPER to headline the concert event of the year in the Grant Fuhr Arena – May 11th

“One of Canada’s top five selling bands of all time” will be live, on stage, in the Grant Fuhr Arena, Saturday, May 11th.  Trooper has sold millions of records, recorded a couple of dozen hits, received a Juno award for Band of the Year and have the “most enduring party sound tracks” ever.  The Spruce Grove & District Chamber of Commerce is excited to be able to bring TROOPER live to our city as the headline concert addition to our Life & Leisure Exposition May 10, 11 and 12th.  The Spruce Grove & District Chamber of Commerce is celebrating their 50th year as a chamber and we will “rock the Grant Fuhr Arena as never before” says President Robin Grayston of the chamber.

What makes Trooper what they are is great performances and great pop song writing!  Presenting hits like We’re Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time), Raise a Little Hell, Pretty Lady, Round Round We Go, Two for the Show and The Boys in the Bright White Sports Car, Trooper is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Opening for Trooper that night will be local rockers “Freeburn” who will take the stage at 8:45 pm.  Doors will open at 8:00 pm in the Grant Fuhr Arena on Saturday, May 11th!

TROOPER will take the stage at 9:45 pm!

The event will be licensed for beverage services, so there is restricted entry for those 18 years and older only.  Identification will be required for entry, and security will be on site to search bags and jackets.

Tickets will go on sale through Horizon Stage-Ticketmaster, Friday, March 22nd with limited seating available.  Ticket price is $39.00 plus taxes and fees.

www.trooper.com

facebook.com/trooperband

Twitter – twitter.com/trooperband