The East Coulee School Museum is one step closer to taking on Phase 1 of its improvement and renovation plan, thanks to a boost from the Alberta Government.
    This week the museum received a Community Facilities Enhancement Program (CFEP) Grant for $25,000, putting them closer to their goal, and allowing the museum to tackle its most pressing need, its boiler.
    Executive director Barb Steeves is happy they were successful in their application for the grant, but understands there is still some hard work ahead.
    “This is a big leap forward in the money needed to get this project rolling, but we are still looking forward to matching funds,” said Steeves.
    For almost 80 years, the museum was famously heated by its coal fired boiler heating system. This, however, is no longer functioning.  While they will keep the original boiler in place, they will be installing a modern heating system to keep the museum functioning.
    Along with the boiler, Phase 1 also includes foundation work and improvements to get the building up to fire code.
    With this donation, Steeves explains they have raised about $60,000 of the approximately $101,000 needed to complete the phase. They have hired a mechanical engineer to begin installing the new heating system.
    The East Coulee School Museum was recently granted a heritage resource status designation by the town of Drumheller, the first of hopefully many in the valley.  This will allow possible access to more funding to continue restoring the iconic museum.  Steeves says they have begun to explore this option and have tasked a grant writer to help them.

    The hard work and dedication of students at St. Anthony’s has earned them a visit from a member of Terry Fox’s family.
    St. Anthony’s has been a great supporter of the Terry Fox School Run and has raised more than $80,000 in the last 10 years. This year’s School walk day is September 24 and they have set the lofty goal of raising $12,500.  
    Leading up to the event, Fred Fox, older brother of Terry Fox, will be at the school to do a presentation.
    "They are a wonderful school, and have always had really successful fundraising events at the school,” explains Amanda Gratton, school coordinator for the Terry Fox Foundation for Alberta, Nunavut and Northwest Territories. “Those schools like that, we try to get Fred Fox out to, kind of a reward, but also to learn a little more about him, to get to meet his family.”
    She explains they are doing a tour of schools in Edmonton, Calgary, Vulcan and Drumheller. They have also arranged to visit Greentree School and are reaching out to DVSS.
    “He is a wonderful public speaker,” said Gratton. “I can go out and talk about the Terry Fox Foundation, but there is a certain element of having a Fox family member tell their story. He grew up with Terry and has stories he can share. His passion is beyond anything we have.”
    Gavin Makse has helped coordinate the School Run at St. Anthony’s for years. He is excited about Fox coming to meet the students.
    “It is a phenomenal thing. Who better to come to our school and talk about Terry’s journey than his brother? We are vey happy about it, not only is it going to promote the walk and run and fundraising, but the legacy of Terry Fox,” said Makse.
    He said the value of the visit and the run is more than the fundraising, but a teaching moment for the students.
    “These kids weren’t alive when Terry Fox did his run, so it is educating them. That is why it is great to have someone like Fred Fox come and speak at our school,” said Makse.
    Fox is coming to speak to the students at St. Anthony’s on Thursday, September 18 at 9:15 a.m.
    The St. Anthony’s School Terry Fox Run Day is on Wednesday, September 24 and takes on a 3 kilometre loop in the Midland area.