The long-awaited Trochu Seniors Housing facility has ceremoniously broken ground. In the middle of a field west of the Arboretum, dignitaries and guests gathered on a breezy September 9th morning to welcome the beginning of project construction.
Trochu Mayor Barry Kletke emceed the short ceremony, noting that during his 20-year stint as mayor, this is the third try at constructing this project.
The first proposal came in 2007, and another in 2010, but both fell through. It has been a community effort long in the making to get to the place where construction can proceed. Kletke noted that he shed tears of joy when the first grant of $11.5M was received from Alberta Health on October 15th, 2023. Another grant of $9.5M was received from Alberta Seniors on January 4th, 2024, and Kletke notes they’ve had community buy-in from just about everyone, including the life-lease purchasers who will be contributing $4M to the project.
The project is estimated at $41M and is projecting being operational by April 2027. Covenant Health will be the health care provider, as they are with St. Mary’s. Kletke unveiled the road names for the new subdivision surrounding the facility; Doctor’s Way will be the main road, with joining roads named after prominent local doctors of the past. Long-time former doctor, Dr. O’Neill, for whom a road will be named, attended the ceremony.
Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA and Speaker of the Legislature Nathan Cooper brought greetings, highlighting the thousands of hours of work to make this sod-turning possible, and that has brought the many communities of the County together. “Never underestimate the power of a small group of well-meaning individuals…to outperform government every day of the week.” While the Provincial Government provided grant money, it was the many local individuals working hard to make it happen.
Ken King, Reeve of Kneehill County, brought congratulations on behalf of the County. He noted that this project has been the result of dedication, perseverance, and commitment from many individuals, and thanked his fellow Councillors for seeing the need and lending support. “Rural Alberta means lending a hand, helping each other over the rough places and celebrating together. Today we celebrate, but work is far from over. Today we celebrate, tomorrow we continue to work to bring the project to light.”
The CEO of Covenant Health, Patrick Dumelie, also brought remarks, noting that Covenant Health began 115 years ago, and they look forward to continuing the legacy of providing care, for another 115 years and beyond. This project is a true collaboration.

Fly on the Wall at DVSS Terry Fox Run

Students at DVSS have worked hard to make a difference for those fighting cancer through their annual Terry Fox School Walk Run.
The school has been building on the event year after year and this time raised over $5,500.
One of its flagship fundraisers for the Terry Fox Foundation leading up to the event is its annual Cake Auction. This year was a record-breaker. Justin Morse, Landon Armstrong and Joel Wilton created this year’s top-selling cake, which fetched a whopping $1,140 at auction.
Other fundraising activities included a bake sale, students collecting pledges and online donations. Last week they also did a Taco in a Bag fundraiser.
Another initiative was the Fly on the Wall. Teacher Mr. Lauridsen spent a period of Wednesday, September 25 defying gravity, being held to the wall with tape.

St. Anthony’s tops $15K at Terry Fox School Run

The students at St. Anthony's School once again out did themselves showing support for the Terry Fox Foundation, smashing their goal.
The school held its Annual Terry Fox Run on Wednesday, September 25. They raised over $15,000, and counting for the cause.
“We couldn’t be more proud of our kids, our parents and our staff, our entire school community,” said one of the organizers, Gavin Makse.
The Running Room came from Calgary and donated a starter arch for the run, and a representative from the Terry Fox Foundation came and addressed the school.
The Drumheller Dragons were also on course with students for the annual walk. Students from every grade participated.
Leading up to the event the student body undertook a number of different fundraising activities including selling freezies, collecting pledges and online donations. Classrooms challenged each other and there were also mystery bags for raffles and prizes.
St. Anthony’s is consistently one of the top fundraisers for the Alberta and Northwest Territories district.

Greentree raises $5,250 for foundation

Greentree School held its annual Terry Fox School Run on Wednesday, September 25, and set a goal of raising $1,500. Organizer Penny Messom tells the Mail, that the school raised $5,250, smashing their goal. Grade 4 students Chet James and Kylee Jeffrey take on the run.