Red Deer City Manager Allan Seabrooke has announced his intention to retire effective May 21, 2021. Seabrooke says the pandemic has inspired him to be closer to his family. 

“While my time in Red Deer is shorter than I initially envisioned, my decision to leave is personal in nature. As I am sure is true for many, the pandemic has brought with it new light to my personal experiences, as I seek to reconnect with family,” said Seabrooke. 

Seabrooke has been the City Manager in Red Deer for two years and has worked in public and private sectors for 30 years. He also worked as a Chief Administrative Officer in The City of Peterborough in Ontario before his time in Red Deer. 

“Serving in the public sector at a local level has afforded me the opportunity to connect with the community of Red Deer in meaningful and lasting ways. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to contribute to this city and its citizens at a time when the many challenges we collectively face in Red Deer, Alberta and across the country are forcing us to be increasingly innovative when it comes to municipal service delivery and meeting the needs of citizens,” said City Manager Allan Seabrooke. 

In Red Deer, he worked to streamline governance processes, implementing a multi-year budget, establishing business friendly practices, reducing red tape completing an organization restructure, to name a few, have all contributed to meaningful organizational improvements for the benefit of the entire community. 

“Allan has served our community with a dedication that has helped us navigate innumerable and complex social, economic and health challenges like we have never faced before. His commitment to transparency, accountability and creating a culture of excellence and responsiveness has resulted in positive and lasting changes within the organization and our community,” said Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer. “The past year has challenged administrative leadership in extraordinary ways, and Allan’s pandemic response has been strong and resolute. As he leaves our organization, he leaves a legacy of stability, and we are thankful for all he has brought with him to The City of Red Deer. We wish Allan and Teresa all the best in retirement.” 

With City Manager Seabrooke’s retirement on May 21, 2021, Tara Lodewyk, current Deputy City Manager, will take on the role of Acting City Manager until Council proceeds with the next phase of its recruitment process.