The opening of the new Wheatland Crossing School has been delayed one month because of construction issues due to wet weather, and the school division has arranged for students to attend Standard School starting September 1 while crews complete work on the facility.

Golden Hills School Division superintendent Dr. Bevan Daverne told the Mail the high amounts of rain in July and early August has caused the contractor working on the school site delays in completing the roofing and exterior concrete work which will set the opening back to early October, weather depending.

“We are in a holding pattern here,” Daverne said. “Those exterior areas that were a problem should be ready in another month, weather depending again, too, but that’s what we’re told.”

Students will instead be bussed to Standard School, where the school division has made arrangements to accommodate the increased class sizes of the students who are coming from Rockyford, Gleichen, Hussar, Rosebud, as well as Standard.

A letter sent out to parents this week invites them to attend a public meeting on Monday, August 29 at 7 pm at Standard School to discuss adjustments.

Think you got what it takes to show you are FireFit? Then give it a try at this year’s competition come September 9.

Drumheller is playing host to a Scott FireFit Regional competition that weekend, and on the Friday evening before firefighters from across the country take to the course on Saturday, local teams can try out the challenge. Organizer Duane Bolin says there is lots of room for teams to sign up.

“We are shooting for 30 teams,” he said.

Described as the toughest two minutes in sports, firefighters take on an obstacle course in full gear and airpacks, testing the member’s strength, endurance, and skills.

While it sounds daunting, those taking part in the corporate challenge don’t have it quite as tough. In fact, the corporate challenge is more about fun and camaraderie.

Participants in the corporate challenge are not required to compete with the turnout gear or airpacks, and the challenge can be done as a team with up to five members and each can take on a leg of the course.

Drumheller hosted a regional competition in 2011 and there were about 20 teams that took on the corporate challenge. Bolin hopes to get just as many teams and says there are quite a few teams expressing interest. It’s a fun way to build friendly rivalries.

For those wondering what the experience might be like, the fire department is setting up a practice session on Thursday, September 1 at 6:30 p.m. Those wishing to try out the course can come to the firehall and see what it takes to be FireFit.