Ambulance service in Drumheller has officially changed hands.
    As of March 1, the Badlands  Ambulance Society handed over the keys to emergency medical services to Alberta Health Services.
    “The transition went very smoothly, with Alberta Health Services and Badlands EMS working very closely,” said Councillor Doug Stanford, co-chair of the Badlands Ambulance board.
    Two ambulances have been confirmed for the Drumheller area. One will be an advanced life support vehicle and the other will provide basic life support. Alberta Health Services has stated both will operated around the clock throughout the year.
    The transition also brought some new equipment to Drumheller that Badlands Ambulance was not able to afford.
    “Alberta Health Services brought in two brand new ambulances and equipped them with M800 phones and two-way radios. They were also set up with mapping and other supplies,” said Stanford. “These were things we tried to get before, but couldn’t afford.”
    To bring them in line with Alberta Health Services, Drumheller ambulance staff were given an intensive five day orientation.
    With the transition, the fate of the Badlands Ambulance board was also decided. The board will continue to function until April to tie up any loose ends. Afterwards, the board will be dissolved.
    The decision to hand over control of ambulance service in Drumheller was first reported in the October 5 edition of inSide Drumheller after an emergency meeting of the Badlands Ambulance Society. It was stated budgetary restrictions was the main factor contributing to the decision.
    Throughout the whole process, Stanford feels the residents of the Drumheller area come first.
    “The residents of Drumheller and surrounding area are being well taken care of by Alberta Services,” said Stanford.

    The fundraising campaign for the Badlands Community Facility (BCF) is showing signs of rebounding after the Drumheller Town Council announced they have found a new chairperson for the fundraising cabinet.
    At their meeting on February 25, Council named Hansine Kostelecky, owner of Numberz Accounting, the new chair for the cabinet. In addition, Councillors Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk and Sharel Shoff were appointed to the cabinet.
    “She (Kostelecky) will be really good. She has a lot of connections, is very well versed in the community, and capable. I think she’ll add a lot to the fundraising cabinet,” said Shoff.
    The goal at the moment is to relaunch the campaign in May.
    “We’re having a preliminary meeting this week to get our heads around who’s on the team and who we can get, so we can have a significant launch in May,” said Kostelecky.
    Ideas for the relaunch include events, more communication with the public, and soliciting all levels of donors.
    Kostelecky has been involved with the BCF since the beginning. For three years she served as the co-chair of the steering committee and, two years prior, was involved with  a group who wanted another sheet of ice in Drumheller.
    To rebuild the fundraising cabinet, Kostelecky has been assembling a team of dedicated community members.
    “I have asked individuals I know who are willing to help get a positive word out there. I see us proceeding with getting more people involved.  It’s absolutely a team effort and we have to go forward with a strong team,” said Kostelecky.
    Earlier this year, the BCF fundraising efforts were shaken when several members of the previous cabinet, including co-chairs Jeff Hall and Elson McDougald, resigned.
    To date, $3.3 million has been raised for the BCF. The goal is set at $6 million. Should the remaining $2.7 be raised, the Town hopes to begin the next phase of the facility which will include another ice surface and new curling arena.
    “This is a big step, but necessary. We need to take action to keep on the fundraising effort. It’s really important, because it’s our facility and our town, so we can’t let it lapse any more,” said Shoff. “The people who were on the cabinet before did a great job. Now, we’re hoping to move forward with a different perspective.”
    Most importantly, Kostelecky believes everyone who can, must get involved to help make the fundraising a success and begin phase two of the BCF.
    “I think all levels need to step up. It’s a hurdle, because we’ve been at it for a long time,” said Kostelecky. “Like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes people to build a community. We’re looking for everyone to get involved, by using it and supporting it.”