See the “Bee” - The City of Red Deer

October 6, 2008

(Red Deer, Alberta) – The pond at Three Mile Bend will soon be cleaner than ever before after a solar powered mechanism called a SolarBee was installed in the pond last week.

“SolarBee is a floating device that will help eliminate harmful algae blooms, enhance water clarity, reduce nuisance weed growth and improve habitat for fish spawning and growth,” said Jeff Graves, Project Superintendent. “It is green technology that uses no grid-power and no chemicals.”

The SolarBee is stainless steel and corrosion resistant. It requires low maintenance and has an expected life span of 25 years. “We’ve made an eco-friendly decision that demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and the environment,” said Graves.

Installation of the solar powered device is just one of the many changes slated for Three Mile Bend over the next year as part of the Waskasoo Special Gathering Places project. Other enhancements include widened trails, expanded parking and improved accessibility to the river.

“It is about creating friendly, usable spaces that canoe and kayak users, dog walkers, runners and cyclists can all access,” said Graves. “Red Deer is growing, which means park and trail enhancements are more important that ever. It is about meeting the needs of all citizens.”

Three Mile Bend will remain open when work gets underway next spring. All improvements should be complete before fall 2009.

For more information about Three Mile Bend or other Red Deer parks and trails visit www.reddeer.ca.

-end -

For more information, please contact:

Jeff Graves
Project Superintendent
The City of Red Deer
403-356-8912

or

Tara Shand
Communications & Strategic Planning
The City of Red Deer
403-309-8594