Work ramping up this spring in Red Deer’s Capstone
Work continues on Canada 150 Square
SUSAN ZIELINSKI Apr. 30, 2019
Next week, Alexander Way will shut down in Capstone at Riverlands and construction will move forward this season on river walk trails and Canada 150 Square.
Cory Edinga, Riverlands project manager, said work started in April in front of Carnival Cinemas and Sentinel Storage and will continue on Alexander Way.
He said Alexander Way will close on May 8 for the season to allow for roadway work.
“There’s still a significant amount of work left there this year, but as sections of that road are completed, we’ll be able to open it up in pieces. Access will still be available through 45th Street,” Edinga said.
Work on the entry near Carnival Cinemas will include shallow utility work and installing sidewalks, streetlights and landscaping, which will not require any road closures or impacts to the cinema.
The vision for Capstone is a mixed-use urban neighbourhood with lively commercial streets, a variety of medium- and high-density housing, public spaces and green space to draw people year round.
The city owns about 10 hectares of developable land, including land for roads and parks.
Edinga said work on Canada 150 Square, the public gathering space to be located at the end of Alexander Way, will include installing utilities and electrical lines to serve some of the features of the square, along with surfacing, furniture and plantings.
“There’s still a lot of work to happen in the square. That’s probably the busiest place for construction this season.”
He said there is really nothing comparable to the square, except for Veterans Park downtown, but Canada 150 Square will be an estimated three to four times the size of Veterans Park.
Lighting and path widening will happen on the south and north river walks that run from Taylor Bridge to West Park. Paths will be closed for the season after the May long weekend with detour signs.
Construction will also start on the parking lot located east of Canada 150 Square and south of Alexander Way that will add more than 60 parking stalls to the area.
Edinga said by the end of the year, the majority of the work should hopefully be done, with only some touchups required next year.
“We’re appreciative of everyone’s patience as we move forward on construction. It will be worth it once we’re done,” Edinga said.