News | DrumhellerMail

Tourism Minister visits Drumheller

    Drumheller was paid a visit on Thursday, May 2, from two provincial ministers aiming to engage the community.
   The Mail had a chance to speak with the Honourable Dr. Richard Starke, Minister of Tourism, Parks, and Recreation about tourism issues affecting the area.
   Two weeks ago, Canadian Badlands Ltd. was shaken up and announced the departure of Bob Davis as executive director of the tourism group.
   Starke felt there were challenges ahead for the group, but felt Canadian Badlands has considerable potential.
   “You have a group of municipalities and stakeholders working together to promote an entire region as opposed to a piecemeal approach by a number of individual entities. One of the biggest challenges in tourism promotion is alignment; getting everybody to work for a common purpose in a unified way. That’s what Canadian Badlands does and they do it effectively,” said Starke.

The Honourable Dr. Richard Starke, Alberta Minister of Tourism, Parks, and Recreation

   “We feel Canadian Badlands is a model other parts of the province should try to emulate in a way that works for them. We’ve been very impressed with what they’ve been able to achieve (and) the buy in they’ve had.”
   One of the challenges facing tourism throughout the province is enticing people from both within and outside of the province to head to rural destinations.
   Part of increasing tourism is communities to increase what they offer so people will stay longer and therefore spend more money.
   “Thirty per cent of the tourism in the province happens in rural Alberta, outside of Banff, Jasper, Edmonton, and Calgary. There is potential for growth. In order to grow the tourism there, we have to look in all parts of the province,” said Starke.
   “I think the community has done a good job leveraging the success of the Tyrrell Museum, but there are always more ideas that could come forward. It’s important to diversify the range of tourism product in any area, so tourists will be encouraged to stay longer.”
   Drumheller in particular is a favourite spot of Starke’s, for himself and as a place to bring visitors to the province.
   “I drive through Drumheller fairly frequently. I love coming through this part of the world. I’ve been here many times with visitors from out of province and country and show them around the Dinosaur Trail,” said Starke. “I really enjoy it here.”

Wheatland unveils new long-range development plan

    Residents of Wheatland County are being asked to help set the course for the county’s development.
   On Monday, May 27, at the Cheadle Community Hall and Tuesday, May 28, at the Rosebud Community Hall, the county is hosting Town Hall meetings to discuss the new Municipal Development Plan (MDP) being drafted by the county. Both meetings start at 6:30 p.m.
   “Public consultation is always encouraged when we’re doing a bylaw. We always try to do a presentation. Our consultant will go through what’s different and then people can comment,” said Linda Henrickson, Project Manager for Wheatland County.
   The current MDP was adopted in 2006. Since then, much in the county has changed and it was felt it was time to update the county’s development direction.
   “We’re required to look at it every few years according to the Municipal Government Act. The MDP we have currently wasn’t the best plan as far as details go. It was done in 2006, so it was time,” said Henrickson.
   The draft refines the document and places a greater emphasis on encouraging development in the county’s hamlets. The goal is to move residential development to the small hamlets and villages, rather than sprawling acreages, which take away from available agricultural land.
   “There wasn’t much direction as far as development goes in the old plan. One thing we added is we’re trying to encourage development in the hamlets, as opposed to out in the middle of the county, so we can preserve our agricultural land. It’s tough to make people do that, because they want their dream acreage,” said Henrickson.
   The MDP is a document adopted by municipalities which serves as a guideline for the vision, goals, objectives, and policies of the municipality.
   Everybody in the county is encouraged to attend one of the meetings.
   “Everybody should stop by, learn about what’s going on, and help set the direction for the county,” said Wheatland Reeve Glenn Koester.

Emergency Services mark Police Day

    Emergency Services in Drumheller are marking Police Week with its annual barbecue on Mother’s Day.
   This year, May 12 to 18 marks Police Week, which is dedicated to strengthening ties between police and communities. Both the RCMP and community members play an essential role in ensuring that Drumheller and the surrounding communities are safe and secure.
   That is why Police Week is so important; it reminds us every year that police-community cooperation is key.
     On Sunday, May 12, Drumheller RCMP Detachment will be hosting its annual community barbecue at the Drumheller Fire Hall in recognition of Police Week. Lunch will be provided between 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
   There will be displays by police, fire, EMS, and Victim Services. If you are out and about on Mother’s Day, please stop by the fire hall and visit with your local emergency services personnel.

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