This Canada Day will be organized under new management as a local Red Deer man has stepped up to the plate to organize this family cultural event.

Rick Olson, 59, graduated from Lindsay Thurber High School in Red Deer and after working both in Port Alberni, B.C. and Grande Prairie he is now manager of the Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society.

Olson oversees the running of events at the Cronquist House, where his office is located, as well as Festival Hall here in Red Deer.

“I have the best office in town because my door opens onto a balcony overlooking a park,” said Olson.

“One of the most treasured features in Red Deer is its parks, and being located in a park I have a greater want to this role of what I do.”

Olson has always been interested in heritage conservation and he hopes to bring his experience to the table when planning events in Red Deer.

“I decided that my purpose in life is to unify, strengthen, and power families and what I do fits in with my personal goal,” said Olson.

The Cronquist House is one of Red Deer’s few remaining buildings dating back to the early 1900’s.

The 3,500 sq. ft. farmhouse was built in 1911 and now is completely restored as a historical landmark overlooking Bower Ponds and is available for bookings during the summer, but is shut down a few days before Canada Day.

Canada Day is one of Red Deer’s main events that is held at Bower Ponds and the Cultural Heritage Society tries to bring Red Deer’s vast cultural society together.

“We feature a lot of cultural groups and what they are about such as dancing, food, and singing,” said Olson.

Growing up in Red Deer, Olson said he is very excited to be working and living here.

“Having grown up here it is exciting to come back and see how Red Deer has changed and how the City has grown in certain areas.”

What drives Olson is seeing families together having a good time creating memories.

“Red Deer has an atmosphere that I think is quite unique.”

tsigurdson@reddeerexpress.com