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Kneehill County council adopts revised Horseshoe Canyon Master Plan

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After multiple years of planning, engagement, and development, the 2024 Horseshoe Canyon Master Plan was approved by Kneehill County council during its regular Tuesday, September 10 council meeting.
Work on the document first began in 2017 and evolved to incorporate engagement with Kneehill County community members, including adjacent landowners and stakeholders, through the formation of a dedicated focus group, and partnerships with Travel Alberta and Travel Drumheller to further enhance visitor experience of the site.
In 2021, the County implemented a paid parking initiative at Horseshoe Canyon, inspired by a similar initiative at the Hoodoos in the Town of Drumheller. During the first year attendants were on-site at Horseshoe Canyon for a total of 76 days, and collected about $17,500 in revenue.
Due to the success of the pilot year of the program, council approved continuation in 2022 and 2023; they also approved a pilot branding program during the 2022 season to help further recognition of Kneehill County as the owners of Horseshoe Canyon, and create its own unique brand identity for the canyon.
A major focus of the master plan is continued stewardship and protection of Horseshoe Canyon, as well as continued involvement from the community, landowners, as well as collaborations with local and Indigenous tourism organizations.
Funds collected from the ongoing paid parking program have helped to further site improvement and cleanliness. As well, having on-site ambassadors has helped to bolster better visitor experiences. Site ambassadors have been able to provide visitors with further information about Horseshoe Canyon, as well as other regional tourist destinations, including the Hoodoos and Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Orkney Viewpoint and Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park in Kneehill County, Dinosaur Provincial Park, and Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park.
Council unanimously approved the Horseshoe Canyon Master Plan and directed administration to provide a report on the process and resources required to develop a land acknowledgement protocol.


Three Hills RCMP seek public assistance in locating missing person

Missing Poster Carl

Three Hills RCMP are seeking public assistance in locating missing 59-year-old Carl Joseph Schuyler. He was last seen in Delburne on the morning of Oct. 11, 2024. There is concern for his well-being.

Carl Joseph Schuyler is described as:

· 5 feet 8 inches and approximately 154 pounds

· Light complexion

· Brown hair and green eyes

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Carl, please contact Three Hills RCMP at 403-443-5538. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

Drumheller Pickleball Club formed

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With the growth of pickleball in the community, fans of the game have organized and formed a new Drumheller Pickleball Club.
About 19 people came out to its formation meeting on Wednesday, September 18. They are now in the process of registering as a non-profit society. Wayne Powell was selected as president. He said the club will be a welcoming, inclusive voice of pickleball in the valley, supporting all levels of play and creating community connection and friendship.
“The time was right that we organized for a voice for pickleball in the Drumheller Valley and represent all the players,” said Powell. “We were a loosely organized group of people that had a lot of fun together, and it was time to organize, we felt we could take this further out into the community and have some fun and roll some other people into the game.”
He says they envision organizing some leagues and competitions for the recreational players as well as the competitive side. In fact, last summer they held a couple of tournaments for local players, attracting about 30 players.
“That was great, and we want more now, and that takes a little bit of organization and maybe start taking a little bit of money,” he said.
They are also looking at more training and educational programs to teach people the game. This could be fundamentals for new players, as well as skill development for advanced players.
He says the community is well suited right now for the demand facility-wise. The courts at DVSS have recently been resurfaced and are in great shape. There is also the development of courts at the new Midlandvale Rink as well as at Newcastle Beach.
“Outdoors we are a little rich, and we might want to keep them maintained because in this weather, things do tend to break down in the winter time,” he said. “In the wintertime, we are a little tighter. Right now, I think we are being served at the BCF. As we get more growth or get into competition, we might need some more time, and time might be a premium. Being an organization can have a useful dialogue with BCF. How can we work together so we can keep pickleball growing?”
Part of the growth of pickleball is bucking the stereotype that it is only for senior players.
“That is the fundamental change in the game. About five or six years ago, it was still known as a seniors game. That has radically changed. There is now a professional pickleball league in the States, there is explosive growth in the clubs we have seen in Alberta, and a lot of them are younger people,” said Powell.
They see players in their 20s, as well as other players coming from different racquet sports, taking on the game.
Other members of the executive include Duane Bolin as vice president, treasurer Jim Pask, secretary Dan Hird and directors at large are Irv Gerling and Don Rosgen.
For more information or to get involved email drumhellerpickleballclub@gmail.com.


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