Red Deer Digest

The Westerner Campground is located on the Westerner Park grounds. This Good Sam Campground is open all year, one of very few in the Red Deer area.

There is easy access from the QE2 Highway and from 595, which runs between Red Deer and Delburne. Travellers entering the Red Deer area from The QE2 North or South can easily get to the Westerner Park on the South Edge of the City.

Within walking distance are several Red Deer restaurants, just to the North of the Westerner Campground. RV dealerships are also nearby, to the west of the Westerner area.

Local attractions start with events at the Westerner Park, which include agricultural, trade shows, Swap meets, sports such as the Red Deer Rebels, and conventions. There are over 1200 events every year.

For more information on the Westerner Campground, click this link.

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Popularity: 32% [?]

After reading Ernie’s review of the Ranch House Restaurant and Bar (see “A Fine Fishwich at the Ranch House Restaurant“), I decided to go and visit this eatery myself. It is located in the North end of Red Deer, on the East side of Gaetz Avenue and is clearly visible from the road.

We chose to go there for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon, which of course meant there weren’t many customers. The lounge side looked inviting, with, you guessed it, a modern western motif. A fireplace and several bison sculptures were offset by perfectly matched neutral colours. At least, that’s how my wife described it for me. The picture speaks for itself.

Our server was prompt and friendly. My Blue Beaver Beer and my wife’s ice water with lemon wedge arrived quickly. A brief look through the menu showed interesting items such as Saddlebags, or potato skins. There were several delicious sounding possibilities for appetizers and salads.

Nicole order the Wrap of the Day, with a Caesar salad. I chose the Prime Rib Burger, with mashed potatoes and gravy. We enjoyed the atmosphere as we waited.

After a short while, the food was brought out to us. I was very happy with the burger, and the garlic mashed potatoes were very good. Nicole enjoyed her wrap, which turned out to be chicken salad.

Our server returned to the table frequently to check up on us. Overall we were very impressed with our visit to the Ranch House Restaurant and Bar.

My rating: Food – 3.5 out of 5

Service – 4 out of 5

Atmosphere – 4 out of 5

Overall Experience – 3.75 out of 5

The Ranch House Restaurant and Bar

7159 Gaetz Avenue N., Red Deer

(403)358-4100

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Popularity: 26% [?]

A very ambitious expansion plan is about to get underway at Westerner Park in Red Deer. Construction is scheduled to begin in late July of a new administration building just north of The Centrium, off 19th street.

This is just the first phase of what is being called the Gateway Project. This project is intended to make Westerner Park the premier centre for sports, entertainment, trade shows, meetings and conferences in Western Canada. Overall the plan is to double the size of the park by adding 115 acres from the city’s abandoned landfill site. There will also be a conservation park and pathways along Piper Creek developed.

Other plans include increasing the seating capacity of the Centrium from 6000 to 10 000 in two separate expansions which will be complete by 2028. New pavilions will be added to connect the Centrium complex with the Agri-Centre. The Chalet will be moved to the west side of the Harvest Centre and the amphitheatre behind the existing administration building will be enlarged.

In the longer range, there are also plans to expand conference and convention facilities, possible construction of a grandstand and an invitation to a local hotelier to build a 200-suite facility. The landfill site will be converted into a park and parking area, with an off-leash dog park. There are tentative plans for a transit terminal as well as the possible development of an agricultural park.

Construction will be started after the annual Westerner Days Fair and Exposition has wrapped up.

Popularity: 24% [?]