The Town of Drumheller is putting its best foot forward in promoting the valley for the film industry.
    Drumheller has a rich history of television movies and documentary productions, and has seen the likes of Jackie Chan, Clint Eastwood and Dustin Hoffman working in the valley.   Economic development officer Cody Glydon would like to see more.
    “We have always had a great film history here in Drumheller. We have had all kinds of film makers roll through and obviously we want to keep that going,” said Glydon.
    With this in mind, on Thursday, May 21 he will have a delegation touring the valley  and area to show what it has to offer.
    He has invited representatives from the Calgary Economic Development Film and TV, scouts from the Directors Guild of Canada, and Alberta Film. They will be touring various sites and studio locations throughout the valley.
  Glydon said a part of this is also showing them what it is like to do business in Drumheller.
    “A lot of the people in the industry may not be aware of how we handle permitting and that sort of thing. So this is an opportunity for them to come out and learn all about what is in Drumheller, the studios here, what we have for actors and the services we do provide,” said Glydon.
    “Hopefully we can attract more films here to Drumheller because we know it provides a huge economic boom,” said Glydon.
    In fact, Glydon took time during the Alberta provincial election to reinforce to the candidates the importance of promoting the industry and programs that help foster it.
    “A number of provinces these days are starting to get away from the film credit,” said Glydon. “We still have one in Alberta and want to make sure we keep it here. We have a lot to offer, it is a very versatile place, and not just Drumheller. In Alberta you have wide open prairies, western scenes, and the Rocky Mountains,” he said.  
    This will not be the only chance that  people in the industry will have to see what the valley has to offer. The Alberta Media Arts Society is having its conference in Drumheller in June.

    A Municipal Government Board (MGB) has finally released its decision on a dispute filed by Wheatland County in regards to the traffic impacts of a possible development.
    In January of last year Kneehill County amended its land use bylaw by adding a Direct Control District to an area with land owned by those wishing to develop the Badlands Motorsports Resort. The site borders the two counties.
    Wheatland County filed a dispute under Section 690 of the Municipal Government Act. It was in regards to the potential impact that roads on Wheatland County that may be affected by an increase in traffic.
    The decision was released by the MGB last week.
    According to Kneehill Reeve Bob Long, there was much agreement from the parties involved at the hearing. Kneehill, Wheatland and the landowner agreed to the finding of a traffic assessment completed by Watt Transportation (Watt TIA).
    This study showed three possible routes into the proposed development. The preferred option would be an approach from the north off Highway 9 along Range Road 213. This route is wholly contained within Kneehill County. The Watt TIA recommended this route be designed, constructed and paved.  
    The landowner stated he would not consider the development without paving the primary access.
    The two other routes leading into the development site in Wheatland are gravel. The MGB found that the traffic generated by the development would be detrimental to Wheatland roadways, however, the detriment can be mitigated by the development of the primary access. They also found that the Wheatland roadways will still be affected and would require upgrades to maintain safety.  
    The remedy Wheatland sought was to have the Watt TIA written into the Direct Control Bylaw.
    Kneehill argued that it was not necessary to add the traffic study to the bylaws as the TIA was ordered previously in the Area Structure Plan.
    The MGB found the impacts of the road are specific, probable and linked to the proposed development and that the remedy is to amend Kneehill County’s Direct Control Bylaw to state:
    “The County shall not endorse a Plan of Survey for Subdivision of the Lands or Approve a Development Permit for the Lands until the Developer has first:
4. Executed a development agreement (s) with the Municipality in form and substance satisfactory to the County of its sole discretion to ensure all subdivision and development of the lands conform to the principles upon which this and other pertinent bylaws are based and shall require construction or payment for the construction of a road or roads required to give access to the subdivision or development in accordance with the May 30, 2014, Watt Consulting Group Transportation Impact Assessment, inclusive of signage and advertising.”