Tourism season is Drumheller is picking up steam, but area businesses and attractions are learning there is really no offseason.
    The Royal Tyrrell Museum shared with inSide Drumheller the comments it received from a Scottish visitor. These were posted on its Facebook page and describe an international visitor’s experience in the valley. In fact, the commenter said they were ‘blown away’ by what the Tyrrell has achieved.
    “It’s wonderful to see a collection of international significance based in the place where it all started, rather than some impersonal urban setting. Sure, the footfall may be a lot less, but life isn’t all about statistics and visitor numbers, it is about vision and conviction,” stated the visitor.
    The commenter also had positive reviews of their time away from the Museum.
    “And by the way, you have a great little Vietnamese restaurant and some friendly locals, which add to the experience and sense of place,” states the comment
    Leanna Mohan of the Royal Tyrrell Museum said she expects it will be a busy summer season for the valley with interest from journalists and the film industry. The packed May long weekend also points to a potentially robust summer. These comments however serve to remind the valley that visitors are coming from all over the world and at all times of the year.
    Mike Todor, whose business has evolved from a photography studio to a full art gallery and gift shop, says businesses need to be ready to serve residents and visitors throughout the entire year.
    “That is one of the challenges we really face, we are going to get people any day from anywhere,” he said.
    “In the last five years we have been listed as one of the best places to live in Canada, we are presently listed as one of the top three places in Canada to visit… For 10 years, I have been hearing people coming to our downtown and say how much they love it here and we sometimes don’t buy it ourselves.”
    The Economic Development Officer for the Town of Drumheller agrees we have to be prepared.
    “We are never off duty,” he said. “You have to assume that everybody need your help, have a smile on your face and a friendly tone,” said Bob Cromwell.
    He said Alberta Tourism held a number of workshops this month, including one on partnering, packaging and programming, one on marketing and communications and one on media relations, to teach businesses and attractions how to prepare and promote themselves. 
    Delivery is also important and the comment shows the power of social media. Before, a good or bad experience was shared with family and friends. Today, it could be sent to a worldwide audience, often before they even leave the establishment.
    “You don’t know when you are polite to someone, or rude to someone, how far that experience can be transmitted,” said Mohan.

    The Royal Tyrrell Museum is concerned about damage from off road vehicles operating in Midland Provincial Park illegally.
    This comes after intentional damage to the Encana Badlands Science Camp site was discovered.
    The park, which surrounds the museum, is well marked with signs prohibiting motor vehicles. Despite this, individuals with quads and dirt bikes often use the park as indicated by tracks throughout.
    Last Tuesday, following the May Long Weekend, Tyrrell Museum Science Camp personnel discovered damage to some of the infrastructure at the campsite.
    “The teepees are not up but we have some of the other structures up,” said Jason Martin, Operations  and Finance director at  the Tyrrell Museum, saying there were quad and motorbike tracks discovered at the scene of the damage.
    “The message we want to leave with the community is motor vehicles are not allowed in the park,” said Martin. “So if people see others riding in the park, they are not only joy riding, these quads are causing damage and should be reported to the RCMP.”
    The Museum has since reported the incident to RCMP.
    Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins said people riding could be charged with trespassing under the provincial statute and could face fines. If they were discovered to have caused willful damage, they could face mischief charges.
    “Simply, there is no dirt biking or quad riding allowed anywhere in the valley,” said Hopkins.
    Grant Santo, operation manager of Alberta Parks said penalties for using an off road vehicle in a park can range from fines to vehicle seizure under The Provincial Parks Act and Regulations. He says Park Officers have a peace officer designation so they are able to charge offenders under the Criminal Code of Canada if warranted.
    For Martin, he hopes  all can enjoy the park.
    “It is disappointing, they are causing damage and we are having to take time to fix things that were already in place. We have a busy camp season coming, we certainly don’t want to jeopardize a service we can provide,” said Martin.
    He adds there is an inherent danger of high-speed motor vehicles sharing paths with campers and pedestrians, not to mention noise and dust.
    “It is not to be expected or permitted,” said Martin, “it’s a park and it should be enjoyed by the whole community.”