Archief RG 48 - City of Red Deer, Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary Ad Hoc Committee fonds

Red Deer became an unincorporated town in 1894, and a village in 1898, under the ordinances of the then Northwest Territories. It was incorporated as a town in 1901; and incorporated as a city in 1913. In 1973, the Gaetz Lake Sanctuary Ad Hoc Committee was established by City Council. In 1988 it was made permanent, as the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary Committee (current by-law no. 3265-2000). This committee was established to take care of the Gaetz Lakes area in Red Deer, a bird sanctuary. The City of Red Deer was responsible for the maintenance of the area, although it did not own the land. In 1972, the city sought public input regarding the future of the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary, and an ad hoc committee was established the following year. In 1984, the provincial government and Red Deer Public School Board sold the area to the City. The Gaetz Lakes were made part of the Waskasoo Parks system, and an interpretive center, the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, was built adjacent to the Sanctuary.