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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Red Deer have to do with trains?
Red Deer has grown in population in the past 20 years from 58,000 to
over 90,000 people (50% increase). It was in 1991 that the large
Canadian Pacific railyards were completely relocated from downtown
to the west side of the city. Since then, a new major road was built
(Taylor Drive) as well as major residential and commercial
developments on the former railyard site. The only clues left that
there was ever a railway there is the historic CPR railway station
at the head of Ross Street and the CPR bridge across the Red Deer
River now used as part of the Trans Canada Trail. So it's reasonable
to understand that a large segment of the population wasn't exposed
to the railway activity. But the fact remains that Red Deer would
not exist, certainly at its current location, without the decisions
made by the railway. The city would not have developed nearly as
quickly as the distribution,
social and economic hub of Central Alberta without the railway. For
60 years, the railway was the only viable means of settlement,
distribution and travel in the region. The fact that the question is
asked so many times is, in itself, the best reason for celebrating
the railway heritage of Central Alberta and creating a marketable
theme around it.
Would the Forth Junction Project attract only people interested
in trains?
The Forth Junction Project proposal, although based on a ground transportation theme
that includes trails and transit as well as railways, has
been developed to attract people with all kinds of interests and
various demographics. Displays and activities would be interactive,
fun, educational and social. A central heritage centre or series of
connected interpretive centres in the region including the downtown
would be focal points for use as multi-use community gathering areas
with recreational and educational activities for all ages, various
social activities and set within pleasant natural and historic areas linked with the
valued city trail system and the historic downtown. Such a facility
would
attract railway and transit enthusiasts from all over North America, especially
if it is unique and high quality. There are an estimated 500,000
model railroaders in North America as well as hundreds of thousands
of railfans, rail historians and transit buffs.
How many people could the Forth Junction Project attract?
A project in the U.S. similar to but smaller than what is proposed
for the region attracted 100,000 people in its first year (2009) in spite
of a deep recession. Two stand-alone model railway museums in the
U.S. attract between 150,000 and 250,000 people per year. A model
railway museum in Germany attracts one million people per year! The
Forth Junction Project is much more than a model railway museum and
is not just designed for visitors from all over North America but as
a gathering centre for the community as well.
Why multiple venues?
Although the original concept proposed two venues that would have
the same general theme, they would
have very different characteristics that compliment each other as
well as other heritage attractors of the area. A downtown venue
would be
designed as a community and visitor focal point that would draw
people into the downtown while at the same time showcase what residents
tend to value the most, the river valley, parks and the trail
system. A rural
venue, proposed as a railway station and transit resort, on the other hand
would
require between 40 to 100 acres of land to fulfill its purpose as a
railway station heritage lodging village and outdoor activity park in an
open and natural environment. Currently, sites are being explored
that could combine both proposed venues or conversely, a series of
smaller interpretive sites, each with a specific focus.
Do we really need another railway/transportation museum?
The challenge of many railway and other transportation themed sites
and museums is that they are usually too small, too static, too
localized, too far away from main transportation routes, too
unattractive and often too boring for most people not interested in
heritage, trains or transportation. To attract visitors and
residents alike, a major heritage and community venue needs to be
interesting to different age groups, interactive, inviting,
educational, changeable, relevant, authentic, comfortable, easy to
get to, unique, fun and big. The Forth Junction Project takes all of
these into consideration in the concept of the multi-function
attractors. There are several unique-in-Canada aspects to the
concept and the intent is to celebrate not only the past but the
present and future as well. In addition, the venue(s) will
have unique architectural treatment blending the future with the
past. Another aspect is to link together, by means of heritage tours
and integrated marketing, the various transportation heritage icons
and venues in Central Alberta, including those in Stettler, Big
Valley, Nordegg, Innisfail, Delburne and Wetaskiwin.
Is this a city project and will taxpayers have to pay for it?
The Forth Junction Project is not a municipal project but will
require the support of the City of Red Deer and Red Deer County as
well as the general population and business community in order to
fulfill the potential of these tourist, heritage and recreation
attractors. It also has the potential to be a basis of a general
branding of the city and region and there will be many opportunities
for entrepreneurs to collaborate with the general theme. Once built,
the facilities are designed to be self-supporting, requiring no tax
dollars to maintain. The structures that will need to be built to
support the attractions will require considerable capital funding,
most of which is expected to come from individuals, corporations and
fund-raising activities. Creating tourism in Red Deer as a major
industry will require considerable investment but if done right and
done big will pay for itself over and over as a generator of jobs,
community investment and pride.
Are the venues expected to be stand alone attractors?
Although each of the attractors are designed to be self-supporting
and complete entities, they cannot be successful without a general
integration with other attractions in the immediate area. If a
downtown venue is created, it would integrate with a possible
hotel and convention centre, the historic downtown, a variety of
shops and restaurants as well as other cultural, entertainment and
heritage venues, all of which would compliment one another. It would
also link up with Bower Ponds, Alexander Way, the Rotary Recreation
Park, other downtown heritage icons and regional heritage sites. The
project is also compatible with other regional plans including the
Greater Downtown Action Plan, the River Valley & Tributaries Park
Concept Plan and the Red Deer County Open Spaces Master Plan.
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