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Last updateFri, 11 Oct 2024 4pm

iTrans puts forward more parking alternatives

 

task-force.jpgiTrans offers a further parking alternative, taking into account minimal changes to the current parking, which  would enable a better traffic flow on 3rd Avenue in downtown Drumheller.
    iTrans, the consulting firm which carried out the traffic flow analysis following Alberta Transportation’s changes to 2nd Street, suggests another alternative would be to implement parallel parking between Highway 9 and 1st Street on both sides, with angled parking remaining as is on the remainder of 3rd Avenue.
    This would enable the creation of two lanes in that section of 3rd Avenue to ease the traffic flow congestion, losing 11 parking stalls.
    During the Parking Task Force meeting on Wednesday, March 31 at Community Futures Big Country’s offices, Jay Magus, senior project manager for iTrans, explained the life expectancy of this alternative would probably be around five to ten years, after which it will need to be reviewed due to the increase in traffic flow.
    Magus highlighted this wasn’t his preferred alternative however, due to safety issues.  He also felt  it didn’t promote traffic flow in the area.
    When asked if data was available on the safety aspect of each of the parking options, angled and parallel, Magus said he didn’t have any data on this.
    Following the Task Force’s request, Magus provided a collision history data, dated September 2007, for 2nd Street West, showing 13 collisions in a 4-year period with no fatalities and two injuries, eight of the collisions occuring at the Gordon Taylor Bridge.
    With this in mind, there was a discussion around the intersection at 2nd Avenue West, the conclusion being that without a gap analysis, it was difficult to determine whether this intersection could be changed without affecting the safety of travellers.
    A question had been raised regarding whether a signal would be required in the near-term future at the Centre Street and 3rd Avenue intersection, which currently has a 4-way stop. Magus confirmed no signal would be required as this intersection was operating at acceptable levels for all alternatives.
    Bob Sheddy, Real Estate professional specializing in commercial properties, was invited to speak about the impact downtown parking has on businesses based there to the Task Force.


Vandalism prompts sale of giant Jesus

 

jesus.jpgWorries about theft and vandalism has the owners of Valley Auto Recycling contemplating selling the statue of Jesus that has watched over Drumheller for years.
     Ken and Andrea Hodgins operate the automobile recycler in south west Drumheller. They have had their share of vandalism and thefts that have cost the business thousands of dollars. To build a fence around the business located at the former Prehistoric Park site is costly, and it may take selling the statue to protect their business.
    “We’re going to sell Jesus because we need the money to build the fence,” said Andrea. “We have to do something to keep the kids out.”
    Drumheller has been known as the dinosaur capital of the world for years, and before the Royal Tyrrell Museum was opened 25 years ago, one of the main attractions was Prehistoric Park. Nestled in the Badlands, the park contained dozens of models of dinosaurs, many designed and created by Tig Seland. When the park was abandoned, the Chamber of Commerce became the guardian of the dinosaurs, and they are now on display throughout town. Today, the gigantic statue of Jesus and a pterodactyl remain in the hills.
    Andrea says the only way to protect their business from the vandalism is to build a secure barrier, which the sale of the Jesus statue could finance.
    “They trespass on the property, throw rocks through all the windshields and they drive their motorbikes over our vehicles in the hills. They smash our headlights and taillights, they root through the vehicles and throw batteries through the vehicles,” said Andrea. “Last weekend alone they probably caused us $5,000 to $10,000 in damage.”
    It is not just vandalism. She says one night thieves took every car stereo on site. Another night thieves were back for car doors.
    "It has been ongoing, but it's getting worse. We are trying everything to get the site barricaded off,” she said. “You put signs up, they tear them down, you put barbed wire up and they just climb through it. They party in our vehicles and we find beer cans everywhere.”
    “The bikers and the quaders are just as bad. They want to see Jesus and the pterodactyl and the are ripping up and down our property".
    Andrea says she plans to keep the pterodactyl, but Jesus will soon be for sale. The natural question is whether there is a buyer out there for the statue.
    “I bet if I go on e-Bay there is,” Andrea laughs.
    She says they are open to offers, or any ideas that would help solve their problem of trespassers.

Hodgson named Mount Royal Female Athlete of the Year

 

chrissy.jpg    As just a sophomore, Chrissy Hodgson has proven her worth to the team and her school.
    Chrissy, daughter of Jim and Joanne plays on the Mount Royal Cougars women’s hockey team and was selected as the Mount Royal University Female Athlete of the Year and her team’s MVP. She was presented the awards at the 46th Annual Cougars Night on Thursday, March 25. The MVP was selected by her coaching staff and the Athlete of the Year was awarded by the Athletic Association.
    “It was quite the honour, I really couldn’t believe it at first,” said Chrissy.
    She is an assistant captain and plays centre. Chrissy helped her team along to the Cougars’ first ACAC gold medal in five seasons. Known as a playmaker, she had 14 assists and four goals.
    “It is pretty special because there are a lot of great female athletes at Mount Royal,” said Chrissy.
    This was a special season for the Cougars. Chrissy explains the team lost one of their players, and good friend  (Sash Hochlander) in a motor vehicle accident midway through the season. After the tragedy, the team came together.
    “We started clicking,” said Hodgson. “It was amazing because we bounced back from something that other teams couldn’t have, but that was the type of person (Sash) was. She never let anything bring her down.”
    The team dedicated the season to their teammate.
    Chrissy got her start in Drumheller Minor Hockey. She played until the bantam level before she went to Strathmore and then Okotoks to continue her career. She is in her second year of eligibility and is studying Early Learning Childcare.
    It was a special night for Drumheller athletes as Andrea Price, who plays on the volleyball team was selected as her team’s MVP. Andrea was also awarded a league all star.
    “Drumheller girls rules all,” laughs Chrissy.


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