To help visualize what the new East Coulee water fill station will look like, the Town of Drumheller has released concept drawings of the final product.
    At the entrance to East Coulee the concept drawings show a new loop road, with the fill station in the center. Surrounding the road, the concept drawings propose the planting of new trees and bushes.
    Since construction on the line began in October, several East Coulee residents have raised concerns, through Letters to the Editor in The Drumheller Mail and inSide Drumheller, over the scale and placement of the new fill station.
    Mayor Terry Yemen feels the project will help those in East Coulee who don’t have access to high quality water. Most of the funding for the East Coulee Transmission Line, 90 per cent, was provided by the provincial government.
    “I’ve heard from quite a few people who fully support the program,” said Yemen. “The project is from the Water for Life grant, and it’ll be there for future generations. Some people need it right now, because they have terrible water, while others don’t have that problem.”
    One of the main concerns raised by East Coulee residents is that semi trucks driving on Highway 10 will use the station to fill up with water, thereby creating noise and traffic problems in the small community.
    “There is one in Rosedale. When I lived on the Wayne road, I hauled water during the big oil patch boom and never had to wait in line at the fill station, so I don’t see that happening in East Coulee,” said Yemen.
    Construction of the new water line and the fill station will be completed over the winter.
    “With the trees and bushes, I think it will look pretty good when it’s done,” said Yemen.

The concept plan of the new East Coulee water fill station. A loop road will be constructed at the entrance to East Coulee, with the fill station at the centre and surrounded by freshly planted trees. East Coulee residents have raised concerns over the scale and location of the fill station, citing noise and traffic problems that could result from large trucks using the station.

    This week on top of armed robberies, a number of local businesses have been broken into.
    Early Monday morning the Dinosaur RV Park was broken into and a safe was taken. On early Tuesday morning, the Vietnamese Noodle House and the Drumheller Aquaplex were also broken into.
    Derek Dekeyser, who owns Dinosaur RV Park, said the culprit smashed a window to gain entry into the office. The culprit spent a considerable amount of time at the scene. They were able to collect video surveillance.
    A small safe was taken from the office and put on a portable fire pit used by the park. The person wheeled it into North Drumheller before dumping the safe. It has since been recovered.    
    At the Aquaplex on early Wednesday morning, inSide Drumheller learned culprits gained access by smashing the front door. Once inside they over-turned the computers and made a mess in the lobby. Nothing of substance was taken.
    That same night, culprits gained access to the Vietnamese Noodle House through the back door and made away with a till.

*Update* Drumheller RCMP have confirmed a fourth break-in occurred Thursday evening at The Chop Shop, located on Highway 9 South.

   "A member has attended (to the scene). Sometime overnight it was broken into and was discovered this morning," said Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins.

   The person or persons responsible gained entry through a door panel of Angies Window Graphics. Once inside, entry was gained to The Chop Shop through a common door. A small amount of cash in the form of loonies and twoonies, a Harley Davidson flag, some small model motorcycles, Sony digital camera (Silver), and several flash drives were stolen.

    Police continue to investigate the incidents. If anyone has information on these or any other crimes, they can call the Drumheller RCMP Detachment at 403-823-7590, or if they wish to remain anonymous and possibly qualify for a cash reward, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).