COMMUNITY & PROTECTIVE SERVICES
The work teams within Community and Protective Services strive to improve the quality of life for all citizens of Grande Prairie, and visitors to our City from the region. The primary focus has been on three of City Council's strategic directions: Strong Leading Northwestern Centre, a Safe Community, and a Caring and Active Community.
Community & Protective Services
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Protective & Emergency Services
Due to the departure of two management staff, the Fire Department and Enforcement Services Departments were reorganized. Jim Pendergast, Deputy Fire Chief, moved to the City of Red Deer Fire Department. Fire Chief Bill Walker is now in charge of both departments. A position supervises both enforcement services and dispatch staff. Len Kobewka came on board in the position.
Enforcement Services had a very busy 2000. Department staff responded to 2,960 complaints, ranging from abandoned vehicles, noise, dead animals, found property, and weeds to snow removal. 5,701 moving violations and 10,137 parking violations were issued. Also, there were 1,885 digi cam tickets issued. There were 1,626 dog licenses and 273 cat licenses issued. 788 animals were impounded at the SPCA. There were 706 business licenses, 164 chauffeurs permits, and 41 escort licenses issued in 2000. Enforcement Services began a new service, a bike patrol, which focused primarily throughout Muskoseepi Park.
Emergency Response Highlights
•Total number of emergency responses increased by 16.4%; over 126% increase in the last three years
•The number of fire responses increased by 8.5%
•Responses to emergency incidents, other than fires, increased by 17.9%
•Medical co-response incidents increased by 14.8%
•Emergency incidents to the County contract area increased by 25.6%
•Dollar losses by fire in the City increased from the previous year to a total of $1,748,142
•There were six fire injuries and two fire deaths
•Department members attended 806 medical co response incidents, 209 vehicle incidents and 597 medical emergencies
•Department members attended three water, one ice rescue and three aircraft emergency incidents
Administrative Highlights
•Promoted four staff members to Platoon Captain positions and seven to Lieutenant positions
•Successfully completed negotiations for a Collective Agreement with the Grande Prairie Firefighters Association Local 2770
Service Level Highlights
•First full year of operation for the Computer Aided Dispatch system
•Casual Firefighter program ended after 25 years of operation
•The 9-1-1 Centre received 19,171 calls, a 10.2% increase
•Communications Centre dispatched 7,497 calls, a 9.8% increase
•Dispatch services for Blueberry Mountain, Bonanza, Eaglesham, Savanna, Tangent, and Wanham Fire Departments initiated
•Conducted firefighter training for County Fire Departments and Weyerhaeuser
•Construction of two new fire stations started
•Two Thermal Imaging Cameras purchased with the support of community partners
•Continued support of the Risk Watch Program - an injury prevention program with support from many community partners
•Service level improvements were made to staffing levels with the hiring of six new firefighter positions; second phase of three preparing for staffing of second fire station location
•Conducted the hiring process for eight additional firefighters; third phase of three preparing for staffing of second fire station location
FAMILY & COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES
The year of 2000 was one of change within the Family and Community Support Services Department. We were sorry to have Lana Wells leave her position as manager of Social Planning /F.C.S.S. to take on new challenges. In December Betty Miller became the Manager of F.C.S.S., and we welcomed Lynn Pack to the position of Home Support Program Supervisor.
In conjunction with the Alliance of Professional Childcare Agencies, the Social Planning Department conducted a Before/After School Child Care Needs Survey in the South Peace Region. The goal of this survey was to assess subsidy needs for before/after school child care. The information gathered was used to inform the government and the community of the subsidy needs in the South Peace region. The results of the survey indicated greater than expected need for subsidized before/after school child care.
After many meetings and dedicated committee work, the Bachelor of Social Work program is now offered by the Access Division of University of Calgary through the Grande Prairie Regional College. This program is open to students who have two years of transfer courses.
In May of 2000 Grande Spirit Foundation and the City of Grande Prairie organized and facilitated a two-day session "to develop a community based social housing plan with priorities and implementation strategies". Over fifty community agencies, public members, business people and government officials attended this session which was sponsored by Human Resources Development Canada, Grande Spirit Foundation and the City of Grande Prairie. From this and following meetings the Grande Prairie Community Social Housing Plan was completed for submission to Provincial and Federal Governments for funding.
The Youth Drop In Centre that was established in 1999 attained society status and they are now operating on their own with Human Resources Development Funding and reduced financial support from the City of Grande Prairie F.C.S.S.
Partnering with Mistahia Health Region, the Friendship Centre, and Odyssey House, we implemented the Healthy Families Program with funding from Child and Family Services. This program provides home visitation for new parents, promoting positive parenting and child health and development.
Our Home Support Program provided support to an average of 45 households per month. The majority of our clients continue to be seniors who need assistance to remain in their homes.
The City of Grande Prairie F.C.S.S. Program distributed $261,000 in funding with $88,000 being the City's share and $173,000 being Provincial contribution. Groups receiving funding included: Catholic Family Services, Circle of Life, Cool Aid Society, Disabled Transportation Society, Grande Prairie and Area Safe Communities, Grande Prairie Women's Residence Association, Grande Prairie Youth Rising Society, John Howard Society, Meals on Wheels, P.A.C.E., Senior's Outreach, Society for Pregnant and Parenting Teens, Suicide Prevention Program, Volunteer Services Bureau. In addition to this, F.C.S.S. provided funding for some special projects such as Barter System Workshop, Disaster Planning, and Youth Partnership.
CRYSTAL CENTRE
It was the BEST and the busiest year ever for the Crystal Centre! Crystal Centre special event days continue to grow in leaps and bounds. . .208 in 2000. . .a whopping 27% increase over the previous year! Concert activity increased dramatically with several high profile performers coming to Grande Prairie with Bryan Adams and the Guess Who at the top of that list. The facility scored another major coup in securing a 2001 performance by the great country group Alabama with special guests the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Administration strives to improve its working relationships with a tremendous group of tenants who include the Grande Prairie Storm, the Grande Prairie Athletics, minor hockey, commercial and industrial hockey and other ice users.
Trade show activity remains strong. The World of Women, the Home Show, Grande Prairie Auto Dealers Association, the Fine Art Craft Show and Sale and of course, the signature Christmas event of the year, the Festival of Trees are among the highlights. We were pleased to add the Singing Christmas Tree to our list of events along with the AEC West 25th anniversary banquet and the Grande Prairie Regional College President's Ball.
2000 will be a tough act to follow.
MUSKOSEEPI PARK
Muskoseepi Park continues to be a focal point for leisure and recreation in Grande Prairie. As the City of Grande Prairie grows as the northern regional centre of Alberta, the Park provides outdoor recreational activities, special events and facilities for the citizens and visitors.
Rick Olsen, the new Special Events Programmer, joined the Muskoseepi Park team of Karen Douglas, Laurie Gogal and Dan Hynes. A Master Plan for park expansion to the north was adopted by City Council. As well, a new tourist centre is being constructed in the Park near the Bypass.
•68 community and Park events with about 45,000 people attending in 2000 (11 Park events, 5 co-sponsored events and
52 community group events)
•Trails, playground and open spaces are well used
•34 corporate sponsorships totalling $4080 allowed 51 children from needy families to attend daycamp
• 224 children attended 2000 summer daycamps
•136 school programs were delivered in 2000 with approximately 4100 students participating
•Rotary Bus Tours had 1022 riders
•24 Hour Relay fund-raising event raised $10,000 for Muskoseepi Park Trust Fund. Funds will be used to upgrade the
water park in the future
•Funding was approved to upgrade the Swanavon Sliding Hill. An engineering study indicated that the projected expenses
exceeded the funding. Funds will be carried over to 2001 and used to upgrade the Borstad Hill sliding area, which is a
smaller project
POLICE SERVICES
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police provide police services to the City of Grande Prairie. Inspector Jim Steele relocated to Calgary and Inspector Bernie House became the new Officer-in-Charge of the detachment. Ivan Simon joined the detachment as the new Staff-Sergeant. The detachment consists of 63 members (which includes 13 rural members), 5 other federal employees and 18 municipal employees. A new corporal's position was created in the Drug Section. An additional secretarial position was created in the Forensic Identification unit. As well, four cadets were posted to Grande Prairie in 2000.
Members of the detachment investigated a total of 25,843 complaints. Persons offences were up 12% over 1999 while property offences were down 4%. Twenty robberies were investigated during 2000 while residential break-ins were down 33%. A total of 175 impaired driving and driving over .08 charges were made (up from 130 in 1999).
The Traffic unit worked with Mistahia in delivering the P.A.R.T.Y. Program to Grade 9 students. They were also in the schools delivering the D.A.R.E. Program and pedestrian and bicycle safety lectures. As well, the Traffic unit monitored the use of baby and child restraint systems and held the annual Candy Cane checkstop with Enforcement Services and GPREMS. The General Investigation Section worked on 330 investigations ranging from armed robberies, sexual assault, and drug seizures. The Mountain Bike unit responded to 341 complaints, undertook 444 park patrols, 81 school visits, attended 50 special events, and handed out 608 violation tickets.
Members of the Forensic Identification Section responded to 471 cases in 2000. The unit provides assistance to detachment members to process crime scenes and/or exhibits, record the scenes and analyze and evaluate any physical evidence. Members participate in school presentations dealing with Forensic Science. The Police Dog Service unit dealt with 206 calls in 2000. As well, Kory and his handler Corporal Hawkes, gave presentations to various community groups.
Due to a lack of space in the RCMP building, a portable unit was attached and now houses the Community Policing unit, that works with the media and our schools. For example, Constable Tollenaar delivered 122 presentations on a wide range of topics to schools and community groups. The unit also supported Camp Little Buffalo (for youth 11-13), Crime Prevention Week, public seminars and numerous community committees..
RECREATION CULTURE & FACILITIES 
The Recreation Services section of the City was reorganized to form the Recreation, Culture & Facilities Department. Kay Kenny became the leader of the department which includes recreation programming, community development, arts and culture liaison, grant co-ordination, marketing, facility planning, and maintenance. The Department partners with many contracted facility operators such as Dave Barr Arena, the Outdoor Pool, Golden Age Centre, Creative Arts Centre, etc.
The mission of the Recreation, Culture and Facilities Department is to connect people, places and programs. The department provides a broad range of high quality activities for all ages. Staff liaise with a number of community groups to better enhance the quality of life of Grande Prairie residents.
The Alberta Summer Games was a major community accomplishment in 2000 and was assisted by Recreation & Parks staff. The event drew 3000 young athletes, numerous coaches, officials and visitors to our City. A new indoor soccer facility was constructed next to The Leisure Centre opening for play in January 2001 and operated by the Grande Prairie Soccer Association. The City has partnered with the Public and Catholic School Districts to construct an exciting multi-purpose facility to combine educational, recreational and cultural components on the the Community Knowledge Campus site. The first phase (St. Joseph High School) is now under construction and the consultants for the second phase (Twin Arenas) have commenced design work.
Janice Kretzer-Prysunka was appointed the new supervisor of The Leisure Centre, where numerous programs were offered. Swimming lessons involved approximately 4300 people. As well, there are fitness and weight training drop-in, individual consultations and community fitness programs in schools. A total of 285 participants went through leadership training and development courses at The Leisure Centre. We continued to provide regional training for other communities that run outdoor pools. These courses also enable us to train and develop future staff. The facility entrance/plaza area underwent a huge facelift with the efforts of some very innovative arena staff.
The City participated in the Communities in Bloom Program and was successful in winning a provincial award in the 20,000 - 50,000 population category. The win offered the City the opportunity to go on to compete at the nationl level in 2001.
2000 saw the development of several Parks Improvement Program initiatives, such as three rink hydration installations and two playground equipment upgrades. The Arts Development Fund, a legacy from the 1995 Canada Winter Games, saw five scholarship awards and two capital project awards. Five Festivals were held in 2000, including the successful "Fete Franco-Albertaine 2000", and popular "Sizzlin Summer Street Festival." Marking its 5th year of existence, the Pursuit of Excellence Fund, has provided over 1/4 million dollars to over 195 applicants. The Community Lottery Board gave away in excess of 1/2 million dollars to a variety of community projects.