Michael James
The Drumheller Mail
The 2013 provincial budget has had far reaching implications. Canadian Badlands is regrouping in the wake of a new funding structure from the province.
In addition, on April 12, Canadian Badlands Ltd. announced the departure of Bob Davis, who had served as executive director of the organization since the fall of 2011.
“We had a meeting. It’s unfortunate. It was probably one of the toughest days I’ve had in my life,” said Doug Jones, president of Canadian Badlands. “We mutually agreed that it was time for him to depart.”
Davis’ departure took effect immediately.
The announcement coincided with some challenging times ahead of the organization. On Saturday, April 20, Jones met with the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Brad Pickering, to discuss the future of Canadian Badlands.
The first challenge is to operate under a results-based funding model.
“The government is looking at how they provide funding, so now we’re under a results-based budget. We need to be more specific in what we are doing and follow through,” said Jones. “For example, if we say we are going to develop three new trails, we have to develop three new trails. If you don’t produce according to your plan, you won’t get the funding next year.”
Another, and perhaps larger, challenge is for Canadian Badlands to coalesce its two halves; Canadian Badlands Ltd. and the Canadian Badlands Foundation.
“The government has said we don’t need two organizations and have given us four months to get the two together. Plus, you can’t cut things to do it, you have to keep the same programs. So, we have to try and figure out how we are going to make that work,” said Jones.
Canadian Badlands Ltd. is the municipally driven half of the organization, while the Foundation includes members from the private sector.
The Canadian Badlands board is meeting today (Wednesday) to discuss the future of the organization.
The news of the change of direction and the departure of Davis came as a surprise to Drumheller Mayor Terry Yemen, who had sat on the board of directors for a one year term ending at the most recent annual general meeting in March.
“I didn’t know of any issues they were having with the executive director. At the last meeting and AGM, there was no talk about that. I think if you were going to have a change of direction like that, the AGM in March would have been the time to announce it,” said Yemen.
The change of direction for Canadian Badlands sparked some discussion among the Drumheller Town Council.
“To say if we’re going to stay or not, I don’t know if it’s in our best interests. Quite frankly, I don’t know what that change of direction is going to be. If it’s not a fit for Drumheller anymore, I’ll bring the facts back and Council can make the decision if we will stay or go on our own,” said Yemen.
However, Yemen was excited a new marketing campaign is being developed. In addition, Jones is expecting the upcoming Tour of Alberta to be a huge boon to Drumheller.
“I think we’re coming to a time where we can make tourism a big thing in southern Alberta. Banff, Calgary, and Edmonton are the big three (tourist destinations). I believe we should get the same amount of money as they do,” said Jones.
For the immediate future, the organization will focus on how to continue and rebuild.
“We don’t have as much money in the coffers right now, so we’ll have to figure out how to take that money and go further with that,” said Jones. “We’re going to have a meeting to discuss things. Where Canadian Badlands ends up, I don’t know.”