The Drumheller Association of Skateboarding Enthusiasts (DASE) received another donation this week to help fund the construction of the skate park.
    The Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce (DDCC), through the World’s Largest Dinosaur Legacy Fund presented DASE with a cheque for $25,000 on Tuesday, June 9.
    The Legacy Fund invests a portion of funds that are generated by the World’s Largest Dinosaur attraction and gift shop to enhance and enrich community economic development initiatives in the Drumheller region.
    “The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present these funds and honour our commitment that was made back in September 2012, when plans for the skate park were first beginning to take shape,” announced Heather Bitz, Executive Director on the DDCC in a press release.
    “With our operation being located next door, we clearly see what a popular destination Centennial Park is for locals and visitors, alike. The skate park will nicely complement and enhance the existing amenities of Centennial Park,” she said.
    To date the Legacy Fund has contributed over $555,000 to an array of worthy community group projects.
Construction is currently underway for the skate park at the site of the former tennis courts between the Aquaplex and Drumheller Memorial Arena.

There was a homecoming of sort on Wednesday night as The Valley Below, a film by Kyle Thomas and shot in Drumheller, was screened at the Napier Theatre.
    The filmmaker and members of the crew were at the Napier for the Drumheller debut. Since it was shot, the film has been getting noticed.  For Thomas he was excited to show the film to a Drumheller audience.
    “For us, we have come full circle,” Thomas tells inSide Drumheller. “It was a moment we have been waiting for since we started rolling. We knew we wanted to bring it back here, because everyone was so nice and we have so many memories as a crew. Making a movie can be an intense and emotional experience, so for us to come back here, and see the streets and the businesses that opened their doors to us, it is special for us and hopefully for the town itself.”
    The film is a fictional snapshot of the drama in a handful of small town families over the course of four seasons. The streetscapes and landscapes of Drumheller are prominent and recognizably featured.
    “We don’t hide the fact that it is Drumheller. So many times in films, you mock a generic small town so it has appeal in the States, but that wasn’t our goal. This is the place, it has its own identity. I didn’t want to hit people over the head with that but at the same time, I didn’t want to hide the fact,” said Thomas.
    Over the years, he has become very comfortable working in smaller centres.
    “I like the vibe, I like the community, I think that is why artistically I explore that.”
    Since the film was released, it was featured at the Toronto Film Festival as well as Calgary and Vancouver. It was nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards for Achievement in Music-Original Song, and Kris Demeanour was nominated for best performance by an actor in a supporting role. Thomas is proud that it is a Canadian production.
    “It has been an exciting journey in Canada. It hasn’t really played outside Canada, but I am okay with that. It is a Canadian film and it has an identity. I think we need more films like this, that are set in Canada and aren’t trying to hide that. I think that is how we are going to build a film community and a story telling community, he said.”
    The film is available on iTunes.