Red Deer City council received an update on the success of the Red Deer Community Culture Vision at this week’s meeting.
The Culture Vision is based on Red Deer’s ability to promote green spaces, diversity, built spaces, activities, and agora spaces throughout the community, with a focus on diversity, authenticity, connections, and rural roots leadership.
“It’s about developing what people want to see from arts and culture in 10 years in Red Deer, and the purpose is to get us to that vision that we want to see,” said Kristina Oberg, Red Deer culture superintendent.
Since 2001 the Culture Vision has been shaping the community, and helping to enrich the lives of Red Deerians, City officials said.
“I think it’s really important that we recognize that the investment in arts and culture has an impact in our community. It affects the identity and the health of our community,” said Councillor Paul Harris.
Developed by input from the community through one-on-one interviews, focus group sessions and open houses the Culture Vision has aided Red Deer into becoming a flourishing vibrant, multicultural and active community, which in 2003 was the Cultural Capital of Canada, said Oberg.
Creating a vibrant downtown core was an important undertaking for Oberg, she said.
Downtown has become a more interesting and lively place through the Greater Downtown Action Plan, Ross Street Patio and markets, she said.
The redevelopment of the Bower Ponds stage was also an important cornerstone of the Culture Vision.
“The stage has been made much more usable for different types of events, whether it be drama or a music concert, right up to Canada Day, which is our biggest festival.”
About every 10 years the Culture Vision will be re-worked and updated to fit the needs of the community.
Oberg said that they are actively working towards updating the current plan, which has not been changed since 2008.
“One thing we really want to do is find out the economic impact of arts and culture on the community.”
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