BYLAW

Introduction of the photo radar program was a major impact on the City for 1999. Its purpose is to control excessive speeds particularly in areas such as school zones. The Animal Control Bylaw was rewritten and introduced the licensing of cats and increased costs for licensing of animals not spayed or neutered. The department increased in size with the hiring of two Special Constables and one additional Animal Control Officer.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

1999 was an extremely successful year for the Community Services Department. First, Community Development and Social Planning/Family and Community Support Services merged into one Department - "Community Services". This lead to a much more effective and efficient department. We have also had many staff changes and as a result, we have a strong department (particularly the Home Support Program). We also had many program successes, i.e. Youth Needs Assessment (first time in Grande Prairie) and we now have a Youth Drop-in Centre. Also, we have positively impacted the taxpayers by providing more services funded by other governments. We brought in over $200,000 additional dollars for our youth project.

The City distributed $500,000 in F.C.S.S. funding with $100,000 (20%) being the City's share and $400,000 being the Provincial contribution. Groups receiving F.C.S.S. funding include: Catholic Family Services, Cool Aid Society, Disabled Transportation Society, Grande Prairie and District Golden Age Centre, Grande Prairie Women's Residence Association, John Howard Society, Meals on Wheels, P.A.C.E., Senior's Outreach, Society for Pregnant and Parenting Teens, Suicide Prevention Program and the Volunteer Services Bureau.

In addition, the City contributed in excess of $740,000 for Community Service programs such as the Grande Prairie Public Library, Peace Library System, G.P. Little Theatre, Prairie Gallery, and the Centre for Creative Arts.

CRYSTAL CENTRE

1999 was a year of transition and learning for the Crystal Centre. Jane Cada-Sharp became the General Manager and two new staff members were welcomed to the team. Jan Woolsey became the Sales and Promotions Co-ordinator in February and Colette Marcotte accepted the position as Events and Marketing Manager in September.

The Crystal Centre increased its number of event days from 128 in 1998 to 152 in 1999. We continue to work with an awesome group of tenants that include the Grande Prairie Storm, Grande Prairie Soccer Association, the Grande Prairie Athletics, Grande Prairie Minor Hockey Association, commercial and industrial hockey and other ice users.

It was a banner year for trade shows in the facility. The Crystal Centre is pleased to be working with organizers of such shows as the World of Women, the Home Show, Grande Prairie Auto Dealers Association, the Fine Art Craft Show and Sale and the Festival of Trees. Concert, trade show and special event activity is already on the rise for the year 2000 indiacating promoters, show organizers and our all important guests truly find the Crystal Centre, the "Centre" of it all!

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

There was an increase in the maintenance budget in 1999 and it made a real difference in the level of maintenance that was provided, particularly in the area of preventive maintenance. An equipment inventory for individual facilities was initiated as part of the Lifecycle Planning Project.

The department had greater involvement in capital projects and were able to undertake some of these in-house to keep costs low. The Facility Shop was reorganized by moving parts storage outside to give more working space to staff.

FIRE

The process to design and build two fire stations was initiated. The design and construction tendering process was approved. Dispatch services were expanded to include the Woking Fire Department. The department successfully completed an audit of the Fire Quality Management Plan. As well, the department conducted training in vehicle extrication, Part 1 and Pump A courses for the County and Grande Cache Fire Departments.

A promotional process was conducted and Mark Whelpton was promoted to the Fire Prevention Officer position. The department hired and trained four firefighters in January, 1999, and conducted the hiring process for six firefighters for the year 2000. A job search was conducted for a second Deputy Fire Chief and the position was offered to Don MacNeil with employment to begin in January, 2000.

This year also saw the development and posting of the Fire Department web page. The Computer Aided Dispatch System arrived and the initial training program was completed. We also filled two part-time dispatcher positions.

MUSKOSEEPI PARK

The skateboard park was completed and officially opened in 1999. As well, the major playground was replaced and new equipment includes a climbing wall for youngsters. Water and sewer services were installed at Crystal Lake and the new trail along 94 Street at Crystal Lake was completed providing enhanced facilities and service to our residents and visitors.

Jack Rogers, the Special Events Programmer and a mainstay at the park for years, retired to the west coast.

RCMP

Two homicide investigations were successfully resolved. As well, the Wally's Kitchen armed robbery case was successfully solved. Primarily as a result of moves, there were five new municipal employees in 1999. There were several changes to legislation that impacted on the department. In particular, changes to Victim Impact Statements, domestic violence legislation and driving license suspensions that require quicker court turnaround has resulted in improved customer service.

RECREATION SERVICES

The Legion Track and Stadium was upgraded in preparation for the 2000 Alberta Summer Games at a cost of $500,000 with contributions received from grants, the Alberta 2000 Games Society and the three school boards totalling $360,000. The Community Knowledge Campus Technical Advisory Committee has been busy with the coordination of the planning for the three major partners in the project - City, Public and Catholic School Boards. A Community Knowledge Campus office opened in the fall in Windsor Court. An agreement was signed by the partners with the intent for joint planning, construction, operation and usage. Realignment of the Smith Fields and play equipment to provide four fields in place of the three existing was done and will provide on-site parking and provision for the G.P. Soccer Club to construct change facilities. Bleachers and starting blocks were purchased for The Leisure Centre Pool. Costs were shared among two local swim clubs and the City. The Lifeguard in Training program continues to be a very successful volunteer program at The Leisure Centre. It has also proven to be an ideal program from which to draw future pool staff - to date, six staff have been hired from this program. LIT's are currently expanding their area of volunteer assistance to the arena. The Summer Program brochure that included all summer activities for all groups in the area was an excellent marketing tool and a very customer-friendly "one-stop" shopping initiative. All advertising participants in the brochure will be onboard for the 2000 publication. The Play Zone added additional sites this year and was as popular as ever. This program seems to be meeting a real need in the community as results of the parent survey were very positive. The Fitness area continues to develop new revenue sources and ways to serve the needs of the community. Satellite fitness classes in neighbourhood schools have taken off with the new "boxing" classes. To date, we have done classes for our firemen, GPRC, Pirhanas, GP Skate Club, at least three school employee groups and Weyerhaeuser employee fitness classes (a contract we've had for about five years). The Leisure Centre now offers Massage Therapy via a contracted massage therapist. We started in July and will have generated about $1000 by year-end.

1999 Annual Report Main Page Council

For more information regarding this page contact the City Clerk (780-538-0300) or send an email to jferguson@city.grande-prairie.ab.ca

Page created on September 13, 2000

This page is archived and is no longer maintained, but may be of historical interest.

Service Highlights

Page last updated 15 September, 2000

1999 Annual Report Main Page

Community and Protective Services consists of eight departments and two contract agencies. Each department has its own business plan. Stemming from City Council's vision, Community and Protective Services assists in improving the quality of life in Grande Prairie.

Community & Protective Services

Bylaw
Community Services