RDP Celebrates Donation to the Arts and Business

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) has received a $200,000 donation from central Alberta’s Vellner Family, aimed at benefiting students enrolled in arts, business, and education programs.

Marty Vellner and Susan Vellner Snell made the donation to RDP in memory of their parents, Loree Martin Vellner and James Robert (Bob) Vellner. The donation has led to the creation of the Loree Martin Vellner Fund. 

This generous gift allows RDP to invest in technology and equipment that will strengthen the in-class experience for learners within the Donald School of Business and the School of Arts and Education. In addition, it provides much-needed funding to elevate programming in areas such as entrepreneurship, and to enhance spaces that benefit students and the many community stakeholders who utilize and enjoy facilities such as RDP’s Arts Centre.

"We sincerely appreciate the Vellner Family's generous contribution, which demonstrates their dedication to education and community," stated Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic. "This donation will significantly benefit our students by enriching their educational experiences and equipping them for successful careers."

The Veller Family donation is allocated to program areas representing important parts of their family’s story. Loree’s background in dance is honoured through support for the arts, while the family’s long-standing ties to business are reflected in their support for Donald School of Business. To commemorate this contribution, Studio B will now bear the name Loree Martin Vellner Performing Arts Studio, located in RDP’s Arts Centre, an important student and community hub. 

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“We are so happy to help support future RDP students through this donation as we also honour the contributions of our parents to this community,” shared Marty Vellner, representing his family during yesterday’s celebration. “Our parents were strong believers in ‘giving more than you take.’ As a family, we have tried to focus our giving on cornerstone institutions and organizations that grow the capacity of our community and improve the quality of life for our neighbours. RDP is definitely one of those cornerstones. By expanding educational opportunities ‘at home’ for the youth of central Alberta we help keep our talented youth ‘at home’ and ensure a bright future for our community.”

Loree and Bob Vellner were strong community-builders in central Alberta, engaged in various endeavours within the arts, business and education, while raising their family in Red Deer. Their legacy will live on in future generations of students through their family's donation to RDP.

“On behalf of all RDP students, I want to thank the Vellner Family for their generosity to help support the success of future students,” said Jacq Patterson, President of the Students’ Association of Red Deer Polytechnic. “The Vellner family’s generosity sends a message to students like me that our work matters—that creativity, education and curiosity are worth investing in. It reminds us that the community sees us, believes in us and is willing to walk beside us on our journey.”

Bob Vellner was born an entrepreneur, finding his passion in the automotive industry in his teen years, eventually buying his own service station/towing company and partnering with his father, H.T. Vellner, in other automotive franchises. Bob also found success in land acquisition, owning and developing numerous properties in Red Deer. In the late 1950s, Bob entered the recreation vehicle industry and established Vellner Leisure Products. This thriving RV dealership has been operated by Bob’s son, Marty Vellner, for the past 40 years and has recently passed to the family’s fourth generation as Marty’s son, Mitch Vellner, takes over the reins. Bob was a quiet and cautious businessperson, well respected among his peers for his realistic outlook and not getting caught up in the excitement of potential investments.   

Loree Martin Vellner’s passion in life was dance. She stepped into dance at the age of three and developed her talent in the years following, becoming a Vaudeville entertainer at the young age of 10. In 1940, the Martin School of Dance opened in central Alberta. At age 15, Loree assumed the sole responsibility of teaching while also competing and performing alongside her brother, Joe. After earning a Kinesiology degree, she created a legacy as a well-respected dance instructor and adjudicator. Loree gave back to this community as a member of the Royal Purple Lodge for more than 59 years and through her involvement in the Catholic's Women's League of Canada.

RDP is pleased to share more information about Loree Martin Vellner and Bob Vellner’s legacy with students, employees and visitors, through plaques honouring each of them that have been installed on main campus.