The Drumheller valley's stunning local landscape was the backdrop for Alberta's first Tough Mudder extreme
obstacle course, held at Drumheller's Stampede Grounds in September 2014.
The year 2014 has almost gone, and if there is one constant in the news world, is that nothing ever stays the same. In Drumheller, there has been significant upheaval that has shaped the last year and possibly years to come. There have been moments of victory, and defeat, accomplishment, and worry. In a year-end tradition, The Mail is counting down the top 10 news stories of 2014. The list is not scientific, but is based on impact, newsworthiness and feedback from readers. The news is what gets you talking, and there has been lots of talking this year.
1. Provincial Political shake-ups
While not directly happening in Drumheller, provincial politics affects everyone in the province and often in the country. This year saw the lion’s share of scandal, outrage, victory, consternation and ultimately new territory. The abuse of Government aircrafts was the final straw that broke the Allison Redford government’s back. The opposition and investigative reporting drove the issue until Redford quit as leader in March and resigned from politics in August. The Progressive Conservatives were looking for a beacon of hope to gain back public confidence, and it appeared they found one in Jim Prentice. Early in his mandate, he won praise for reversing a number of Redford’s decisions. He too, then came under fire for his government's controversial Bill 10 regulating gay straight alliances in schools. And more political drama unfolded two weeks ago, when 9 members of the Official Opposition, including Wildrose leader Danielle Smith, crossed the floor. Locally Bruce Rowe of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills and Jason Hale of Brooks Strathmore joined the PCs. Rick Strankman stayed on as one of the five Wildrose politicians left in the legislature. The move has been panned by the opposition as a betrayal, while many on all points of the political spectrum have expressed a grave concern for a lack of opposition. Time will tell if the Wildrose soldiers on as an effective opposition or if the governing PCs can build trust.
2. DASE of skateboarding
3D conceptual drawing of the proposed new skatepark for Drumheller, to be built beside the Aquaplex.
After years of lobbying and hard work, the vision of a skateboard park in Drumheller looks like a reality. The Drumheller Association of Skateboard Enthusiasts (DASE) have been working for years to see a permanent skateboard facility installed in the valley. Late last year Drumheller Town Council approved of a site right beside the outdoor pool for the park. In October the organization learned that it was successful in its application for funds under the Community Facility Enhancement Program for $125,000. The skatepark project has an estimated price tag of a half million dollars, which means they are still fundraising. However, they are now able to break ground in May 2015. This is one more great recreational facility to come online. This fall the new multisport facility at DVSS was officially opened, and the waterslide replacement project at the Drumheller Aquaplex is underway.
3. Direct marketing
One issue that has been making the headlines this year is the introduction of a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) and now the spectre of a Destination Marketing Fund. The idea of a DMO came out of the 2011 Drumheller Tourism Master Plan. The DMO is an organization dedicated to promoting Drumheller to a wider audience. This was completed with the introduction of Travel Drumheller. In its first year of operation, it leveraged significant marketing funds, which contributed to the success of a number of events and increased visitors to area attractions. The Town of Drumheller has contributed financially in the past year of operation, and Travel Drumheller, in a bid to be self-sustaining, has researched a destination marketing fund plan. Using the town’s business license mechanism, it is looking at a levy on accommodations that will be fully passed on to Travel Drumheller. The levy idea has been met with a mixed response. Council will be making a decision on this plan in the near future.
4. Resource sector challenged
It has been a rough year in the resource sector, and it has made an impact on many companies operating in the Drumheller area. 2013 closed with a round of layoffs at Encana as it refocused its priorities. This October, the company took another big step and sold much of its Clearwater Business Unit assets to Ember Resources. This change followed its strategy of unlocking value from it non-core dry assets as the company focuses on liquids rich growth areas, explained Encana’s President and CEO Doug Suttles at the time of the sale. Encana did retain 1.1 million acres in the business unit area. This includes holdings that are part of a joint venture between Encana and Toyota Tsusho. The Drumheller Encana office was retained in this deal. There were other changes this year including layoffs at Baker Hughes in April and in December EOG divested of the majority of its Canadian assets. The year closed with uncertainty as the price of oil has dropped to below $55 a barrel. While the consumer welcomes low gas prices, the drop has already signaled a shift in the Alberta budget.
5.Dragons burn Bandits
It has been 10 years since the likes of JD Watt and Joel Martini laced up their skates for the Drumheller Dragons. The 2013-2014 season was the best season ever for the Dragons as they were crowned the AJHL South champions. Coach Brian Curran was hired by the Dragons in March of 2012, and in the 2012-2013 season they lost to the Brooks Bandits in the Semifinal. The 2013-2014 season had fans on the edge of their seats. The Dragons finished the season in third place in the south, moving on to sweep the Calgary Mustangs in the first playoff round. Canmore was only able to win Game 2 in the second round as the Dragons went on to a 4-1 victory in the South Semifinals. In the South Finals they met the division leader and perennial rival the Brooks Bandits. The Dragons won the first three games before the Bandits stole game 4. The Dragon headed back to Brooks for game 5 and came home with the division championship. This put them in the final versus a strong Spruce Grove Saints who went on to sweep the Dragons. The team has returned this season in a strong way, and currently sit fourth in the south, 15 points off the leader.
6. Tops in tourism
Drumheller was a busy place this summer as the community’s tourism brand continued to grow. The Royal Tyrrell Museum recorded its strongest year since the year of Jurassic Park, welcoming almost 400,000 visitors. Other attractions also welcomed record numbers. In 2013, the valley received great exposure through different endeavours including television features, and an appearance on Amazing Race Canada and the Tour Alberta. This was followed up this season by a number of great events including DinoFest, a beautiful Canada Day, and the introduction of Tough Mudder in September. The Tour of Alberta captured Cyclist’s imagination for the potential of more cycling in the valley and the Gran Fondo Badlands took off on In June. This September also saw the Community Futures Dinosaur Half grow into a full marathon, another great attraction for the valley.
The Gran Fondo Badlands came to Drumheller in 2014, challenging cyclists of all abilities.
7. Changing of the guard at the Drumheller Fire Department
Early in the new year Deputy Chief, Luigi Vescarelli retied after 37 years of service. In March, The Mayor and Fire Chief Bill Bachynski honoured him. Upon parting, he was presented with the Rollie Yavis Award for those who go above and beyond in their service. This was not the only change. In August, Fire Chief Bill Bachynski announced his retirement. He served the department for 41 years. He was a Captain for two years, Deputy Chief for 17 years, and the remainder of his career at the helm. He was the fourth chief at the Fire Department. Over his career, he estimates he attended to between 3,000 and 4,000 calls. He was succeeded by Bruce Wade, who has been on the department since 1979. He commenced his new position on December 1.
8. East Coulee Water
While the line is in the ground and fill station near the entrance of East Coulee is nearly complete, it may be a while before the controversy settles down. The Town of Drumheller was successful in attaining a Water For Life Grant to build a waterline From Cambria to East Coulee. East Coulee residents voiced their displeasure and chose not to hook up to the line for their residential water services. The line proceeded to establish a potential water supply for the area’s future needs and for fire suppression. A number of properties along the line have hooked up to the services. At the end of the line, a fill station was planned which did not sit well with a number of residents. A task force was struck by Town Council and Sharel Shoff and Lisa Hansen- Zacharuk spent an afternoon listening to concerns from residents. Council accepted their recommendations which included the site of the fill station was to remain, the size of the line to fill is not to exceed 1-1/2 inches, the hours of operations are to be limited, the appearance so the fill station should be chosen to enhance the entrance of the community and the trucks permitted to us the fill station can be no larger that 28,000 kg,
9. The hills are alive with the sounds of Mudders
An estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people descended on the Drumheller valley for two days in September to participate in the first Alberta Tough Mudder, coordinated by Drumheller's Festival Association. The extreme obstacle course started at the Stampede Grounds and winding down the hills, almost to highway 10, using the Drumheller Offroad Recrecreational Vehicle Association track through some beautiful scenery. A number of area residents took up the challenge and tackled the course, which included getting zapped with electric currents at the final obstacle before the finish line, known as Electroshock Therapy. Participants earn a headband for each Mudder event completed, along with a cold beer after the finish line. After a successful first run, the event is expected to be held here for four more years. While local hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and campgrounds were filled to the rafters, the downtown core was empty of visitors. Work for the September 5 & 6 2015 Tough Mudder may include ideas on how to share the wealth by drawing more people downtown.
10. The cheque’s in the mail for flood mitigation funds
The June 2013 floods were especially devastating to Calgary, High River, and the Canmore/Kananskis area, but it seems diking constructed after the 2005 flooding helped prevent flooding in Drumheller in 2013. After June 2013, as part of it’s province wide-effort, Alberta’s provincial government hired Stantec Consulting to assess the Drumheller Valley’s flood prevention methods.
The result: Drumheller’s request of an estimated $15 to $30 million dollars worth of work in a grant application package to the province in October 2013. Spring 2014 the province announced a change to flood mitigation funding, from the usual and expected 100 per cent, down to 90 per cent for municipalities' work up to $3 million, and 70 per cent for work after that.
The new funding formula surprised many, including Drumheller’s Mayor, who noted in all the meetings over the year with the province, a cost sharing formula was never raised. And, the Town says it has a funding commitment from the province dating back to 1985 to cover 100 per cent of diking measures in Drumheller. Also at issue is the Drumheller valley floodway map, and the Town’s request for revisions as the map doesn’t take into account the Dickson Dam’s control of the Red Deer River water to Drumheller.
Under the current map, almost no development would be allowed in Drumheller because it is a flood zone. Hopes are for a revised map to be completed in 2015.
A number of cabinet minister shuffles later, assistance requests to Drumheller’s shadow MLA Richard Starke, and although they received provincial grant money for equipment (such as pumps), it's a year and-a-half after the floods, and new flood mitigation work dollars for Drumheller equal zero.
compiled by Patrick Kolafa
and Michele Scott
The Drumheller Mail
