triumph in the face of disaster - the fl ood of 2013
our plant site and we had no immediate plan to develop it, but obviously we were interested in where the area was going from a historical point of view.
We had several other operations in the area, including national porcelain and Alberta Clay products. It was probably a little more of a commercial interest, but also with an interest of how the area was going to develop.”
The group met for four years to discuss the plan.
“Four years shows an investment of passion and interest of people in the community,” said Botter, who said all of the members of the committee were volunteers.
“It involved open houses for the community, which included residents, businesses, stakeholders and anybody in Medicine Hat who had an interest in how they saw the vision for the future,” said Dumanowski. “We had a really good cross section of people who worked on the plan.”
“As an industrial owner in the area, my concern partly was if residential would encroach into industrial, a little bit of a concern with zoning,” said Sissons. “As the meetings went on, I got caught up in the enthusiasm to see what the future of this area could be, knowing what it’s history had been, and where it could go.”
Sissons was also struck by a comment a consultant made to the group.
Mark Dumanowski is interested in the historical and heritage qualities of the River Flats neighbourhood.
“He said it was amazing to him that in a city where you are right next to the downtown, have a level area with trees and old grid pattern streets and all sorts of parks and facilities located there, and it’s not the highest priced area in town. It’s the opposite.”
The River Flats Redevelopment Bylaw was passed in 2011.
“The end product was bang on, and council at the time saw it that way and unanimously approved it,” said Dumanowski.
The bylaw, which can be found on the City’s website, has seven principles to help shape development: Respect the unique character and heritage of the neighbourhood is No. 1 on the list.
“We wanted to reinforce it was a beautiful part of real estate, to make it attractive for people who may want to build there, that may want to live there,” said Botter. “We hated it when we’d hear people didn’t want to go there.”
“There were a lot of concerns from members of the community, as well as developers, about the hodgepodge development that was occurring,” Said Dumanowski. “There was an attitude that if you were building something, anything would go, and I think City Hall was frustrated about that. We needed a template to establish the future of development.”
In 2013, many homes in the neighbourhood
Celebrating 78 years of servings of serving the CommunitYS GreommunitY’S Greatest Needs!st Needs!
Celebr ing 7 *
were hit hard by the floods. All three people interviewed for this story are hoping to see flood mitigation strategies, such as a berm, developed in the neighbourhood before the next event.
“We’re realistic and understand there are risks in lower areas in the city,” said Dumanowski. “I think we have come a long way. We have the support of the city, we have the support of the province and taking some real strong initiatives in mitigating.”
All are optimistic about the future of the neighbourhood.
“I think the neighbourhood is very resilient, we’re tough,” said Botter.
“I don’t think we can expect to see wholesale change overnight, it’s an evolutionary change,” said Sissons. “There is a tipping point where the direction it was once going has shifted to a new direction, I see that as a key point.”
“There are new residences being built to capture the vision of the plan.”
“One thing I have noticed in the last few years is more younger families, which is good to see as that is the future,” said Dumanowski. “I see lots of opportunity.”■
The Kinsmen Club of Medicine Hat is proud to have donated almost $2,000,000 in the last 10 years to our community.
Innovation at work.
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* #1 Selling Brand in Canada is based on an independent market share analysis of imported gasoline powered handheld outdoor power equipment for the year 2011.
“Your Stihl Dealer For 26 Years” * #1 Selling Brand in Canada is based on an independent market share analysis of imported gasoline powered handheld outdoor power equipment for the year 2011. 74 2014 REPORT ON SOUTHEAST ALBERTA
Legacy Projects Include: Kin Coulee; Kinplex I & II, Kinsmen Aquatic Center – Medicine Hat Leisure Centre; Kinsmen Children’s Library;
Southridge Recreation and Wellness Centre; and Kinsmen Skate Park. Annual Sponsorships Include: Free Family
Swimming in Medicine Hat & Redcliff ; Free Public Sales & Service
Skating in Medicine Hat & Redcliff ; St. Louis School Milk Program; plus sponsorship of numerous local organizations and children’s causes and sports.
If you are interested in joining the Kinsmen Club of Medicine Hat
Contact President Morgan Harrison at 403.529.6546. 41139756•03/25/14
41139851•03/25/14
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