Elim Pentecostal Tabernacle Church expressed interest in purchasing Central School at Monday’s council meeting, one of a couple communities players who are eyeing the building.
“We thought we may as well investigate the possibility of having Central School as one of our options,” said Reverend Daniel Dannhauer, adding that purchasing St. Anthony’s is currently their desire.
The March 23 edition of The Drumheller Mail reported a group of community organizations were hoping to secure Central School, in hopes of creating a central base of operations for clubs lacking space. Drumheller town council has also stated they will follow the tender process and estimate the repair/maintenance costs. Mayor Terry Yemen had said he didn’t believe the town funds were available for such a purchase.
At the council meeting, Dannhauer and Reverend Blaine McDonald said the church had been in talks with the interested community groups. Dannhauer said the community groups were interested in forming a “superboard”, but EPT was only interested in leasing out extra space.
“The problem is we are going to run out of space, no matter which building we are in,” said Dannhauer. “We’re looking for community groups who want to have some space, but it’s not like we can house everybody.”
Dannhauer said the church needs a new location as they hope to start a licensed, community daycare, and already there isn’t enough room for churchgoers on Sunday morning.