The Government of Alberta is the primary source of information about proposed data centre projects and the provincial regulatory framework for data centres. Residents looking for information about a specific proposed project, including its location, status, power requirements, water use and regulatory approvals, should refer to the Government of Alberta and the project proponent.

The City of Red Deer is aware of questions about proposed artificial intelligence (AI) data centres in the region, including information appearing online about a project associated with Crusoe AI.

What does The City know?

• The City is aware that a Crusoe AI data centre project appears on the Government of Alberta's Major Projects website as a proposed Alberta project.
• Information currently published by the Government of Alberta identifies multiple potential locations associated with the Crusoe project. The City and Red Deer County have contacted the Province to clarify the information currently appearing on the provincial website.
• The City has not received a development permit application or a planning bylaw amendment application for a data centre related to this project.
• The City has not received a development permit or planning bylaw amendment application for any other data centre project.
• Like many municipalities, The City periodically receives general investment inquiries through organizations such as Invest Alberta about potential development opportunities. These inquiries are exploratory and do not represent an approval, development application or confirmation that a project will proceed.
• Red Deer City Council has not taken a position on data centres.

Who is responsible for approving data centres?

The answer depends on where a proposed development is located. For projects outside City limits, The City of Red Deer is not the approving authority. Land-use planning and development approvals fall to the appropriate municipality or other regulatory authority.

The Government of Alberta has established a regulatory framework for data centres, including requirements related to Alberta's electricity system. The Province is also responsible for provincial regulatory matters such as water licensing.

For a development proposed within The City of Red Deer, the applicant would be required to submit the appropriate applications to The City. A development permit application would allow City administration to assess the proposal against applicable municipal regulations, including land use, zoning and compatibility with surrounding uses.

Data centres can vary significantly in size, design and operating model. The application process provides the detailed information needed to assess a specific proposal.

Where can residents find reliable information?

For information about a proposed data centre project, residents are encouraged to start with the Government of Alberta, which is responsible for the provincial framework and maintains the Alberta Major Projects website.

Alberta Major Projects – Government of Alberta

What is The City's role?

The City understands that residents may have questions about the potential impacts of large-scale data centre developments, particularly when proposed projects are located near the region. The City will continue to monitor information as it becomes available and work with the Province, Red Deer County and other regional partners as appropriate.

The City also has an established working relationship with Red Deer County through the Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP). The IDP provides a framework for the two municipalities to work together on matters of mutual interest and regional growth. The City respects the jurisdiction of other municipalities and the Province and expects proposed developments to go through the appropriate regulatory and approval processes.

Economic development

The City of Red Deer, Red Deer D.R.I.V.E. Economic Development and regional partners regularly respond to business attraction inquiries through organizations such as Invest Alberta, including inquiries related to technology and advanced manufacturing. These inquiries are part of broader economic development efforts and should not be interpreted as City support for a specific project or confirmation that a project will proceed.

Public information sessions:

The Government of Alberta has announced a series of public town halls related to data centres in Alberta. Residents seeking information about provincial policy, regulation and proposed data centre development are encouraged to participate in these sessions and consult the Province's information directly.

Government of Alberta information and updates should be considered the primary source for information about the provincial data centre framework and specific projects under provincial jurisdiction.

The City of Red Deer has received a Development Permit application for Project Nexus, a proposed social care campus located at 7740 40 Avenue.

The application, submitted by the Red Deer Homeless Foundation, proposes Phase 1 of the project, which includes a 200-bed emergency shelter operated by Hope Mission as the anchor use on the site.

The property was rezoned to a Direct Control District (DC-36) by City Council on February 27, 2026, following an extensive public hearing process. The current Development Permit application is the next step in the planning process and focuses on matters such as site design, operations, transportation, servicing, and community integration.

Community Feedback Opportunity

While the Development Permit process does not include a formal Public Hearing, The City recognizes there is significant community interest in this project and is taking additional steps to hear from residents.

Community members are invited to review the application materials at www.engage.reddeer.ca and submit written comments by June 15, 2026.

Residents are encouraged to focus their comments on land use, planning and zoning-related considerations that are relevant to the Development Permit review process.

To ensure comments are received and considered as part of the public record, residents are encouraged to submit feedback using the online comment form available through Engage Red Deer.

Learn More and Provide Feedback

Visit Engage Red Deer to:

• Review the Development Permit application materials
• Learn more about the project
• Submit comments before June 15, 2026
• Stay informed as the application progresses

 Engage Red Deer: https://engage.reddeer.ca/nexus-permanent-shelter

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and participate in the process.

The City has received a resident inquiry regarding potential development on lands located east of the creek near 32 Street and Spruce Drive.

Administration has reviewed available records and can confirm that the property in question (10 Stanley Crescent) is privately owned and has never been owned by The City of Red Deer. Historical files do not indicate any formal agreement preventing development of the site. While there was a past discussion about The City purchasing the land from the Bower family, no agreement was reached.

Land title records show the property was transferred from one private owner to another private owner in October 2024.

At this time, no formal development or rezoning application has been submitted to The City. However, administration is aware that an application may be forthcoming.

The property is currently zoned in two parts:

• Future Urban Development (A-1)
• Environmental Preservation (A-2)

Any future development proposal would be subject to City review processes, including technical studies (such as geotechnical and environmental assessments) to determine what portions of the land, if any, are suitable for development.

Should a formal application be submitted:

• The applicant would be required to undertake public engagement, which may include an open house for nearby residents
• The project could proceed to City Council for decision, including a Public Hearing, providing additional opportunity for community input
• Through subdivision processes, The City may have opportunities to secure portions of land for environmental preservation or public use, where appropriate

Administration is continuing to review historical information, including any references to past agreements, to ensure a complete understanding of the site’s history.

At this stage, as no application has been received, no decisions have been made regarding the future use of the land.

February 27, 2026

Red Deer City Council has approved a rezoning application for the property located at 7740 40 Avenue, following two days of public hearings that drew significant community interest and participation.

The application was submitted by the Red Deer Homeless Foundation, with City Council approving an amendment to the Land Use Bylaw that changes the zoning of the site from Industrial (I2) to a Direct Control Zone. City Council also passed an amendment to change it from a permitted to discretionary use, allowing Council to more closely regulate how the site could be used in the future.

This rezoning does not approve the construction or operation of a shelter. Instead, it establishes the land use framework required for a shelter to be considered at this location in the future. Any proposal would still require development permit approval from Council.

With approval of the amendment today, City Council emphasized the importance of establishing appropriate requirements at the development permit stage. As the Development Authority for this Direct Control District, City Council will be responsible for reviewing and making decisions on any future development permit applications for the site. Nearly all members of Council spoke to their commitment to carefully consider the feedback shared during the public hearing and to carry those perspectives forward should a development permit application come forward for consideration.

What Council decided 

Council's decision was limited to land use only. Specifically, Council approved: 

• Creating a new Direct Control zoning district (DC(36)), and 
• Rezoning the property from Heavy Industrial (I2) to DC(36). 

What this decision does not do 

• Does not approve a shelter to open 
• Does not approve building renovations or site design 
• Does not approve shelter operations 
• Does not approve staffing, programming, or security plans 

Those matters would be considered later, through separate Development Permit and operational approval processes. 

Why zoning is considered first

Under Alberta’s Municipal Government Act, Council must first determine whether a proposed land use is appropriate for a site before reviewing any development or operational details. Rezoning establishes the range of uses that may be considered, not the specifics of how a use would function. 

Council’s role 

In considering these bylaws, Council is required to focus on: 

• Land-use compatibility 
• Planning principles 
• Compliance with statutory process 

Council is also the Development Authority for this site, meaning any future development applications would return to Council for consideration. 

More information

Residents and media are encouraged to review the FAQ and visit the Shelters Services in Red Deer page for the most up-to-date information on:

• The rezoning process
• Key timelines
• Public participation opportunities

Questions and comments related specifically to the rezoning process may be directed to shelter@reddeer.ca 

Resources

• February 27, 2026: Council unanimously approves rezoning that could allow future shelter at 7740 40
• February 3, 2026 - Public Hearing Set as City Council Invites Community Input on Zoning Changes
• Shelter Rezoning Notification Letter (pdf) - includes map of proposed rezoning of 7740 40 Avenue from Heavy Industrial (I2) to Direct Control District No. 36 (DC36)
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (pdf)
• Rezoning Application - 7740 40 Avenue

The Province of Alberta is leading a project to widen Highway 2 between 32 Street and Highway 11 to improve safety on one of the province’s most collision-prone corridors. This is a Provincial project, not a City-led initiative. For full project details or media inquiries, please contact the Government of Alberta or visit alberta.ca/highway-2-improvements-in-the-red-deer-area. 

Key Facts:

• This is a Provincial highway safety project designed to reduce collisions. 
• Minor pre-construction impacts are expected in portions of Maskepetoon Park, Heritage Ranch, and the Red Deer River. 
• The City of Red Deer continues to work with the Province to protect the Waskasoo Park System. 
• Environmental and Indigenous considerations are being addressed by the Province.

What’s happening

F3 Networks Canada Inc. is continuing with installing a city‑wide fibre‑optic network in Red Deer. TELUS will offer PureFibre internet once complete. While construction and restoration are impacting neighbourhoods, this is not a City‑led project. F3 is responsible for construction, restoration, and homeowner coordination.

What residents may see

Work typically occurs in boulevards, road allowances, and utility rights‑of‑way. With up to 10 neighbourhoods active at once, timelines can vary across the city. Temporary excavations are backfilled first; final surface repairs follow.

What to know as a homeowner

• Fibre access points may be installed at property boundaries without permission
• Connecting fibre into private property requires homeowner consent
• Small green or grey utility boxes may be installed as part of permanent infrastructure

When construction begins by neighbourhood

Construction begun in 2025 and will continue through 2026. Work has commenced in North Red Deer this spring.

When restoration is ongoing

Surface restoration happens after underground fibre installation and depends on weather, soil settlement, and contractor scheduling. In many areas completed in 2025, restoration resumed in spring 2026 and will continue through the year as conditions allow. Taking time now helps ensure repairs are safe and long lasting.

There are three project stages of work that could potentially impact you, they are:

Maps, timelines, and detailed FAQs are available on the City's Fibre Optics information page.

Who to contact

• Installation or restoration concerns: F3 Networks Canada Inc. at Customerservice@F3Networks.ca | 844-390-9100
• City infrastructure damage or safety concerns: Use Report a Problem, or call 403‑342‑8111. City staff will review and coordinate as needed

Why this project matters

Reliable fibre infrastructure supports Red Deer’s long‑term growth and connectivity. The City recognizes resident frustration with short‑term impacts and continues monitoring community concerns while directing construction accountability to the project lead.