While it is expected that tourism will take a hit his year after the flooding in southern Alberta communities, it appears, visitation number in Drumheller are recovering.
    About a month ago, all eyes were on the Red Deer River in Drumheller as it peaked. While the valley escaped relatively unscathed, the same can’t be said for its neighbours, particularly in Calgary, one of the biggest areas that Drumheller tourism draws from. 
    Leanna Mohan head of marketing and communications for the Royal Tyrrell Museum, said year to date the Museum is down about eight per cent. By this time last year, there were about 147,000 visitors through the door. This year the have had about 135,000 visitations.
    She explains they were down about 5 per cent in June. This was mostly because they were closed for two days, when the flood water peaked.
    The Atlas Coal Mine also had its doors closed during high water, and it had its effects. However they have continued to see a rise in visitation.
    “June was up 17 per cent,” said Linda Digby, executive director of the Atlas Coal Mine. “We had one slump week toward the end of June, which we figured was post flood drop, and even accounting for that, we were up. Since the long weekend things have been hopping.”
    One interesting change Digby has seen an increase in youth groups visiting the museum.
    “It is challenging for us but it is the kind of challenge we want,” said Digby.
 Beyond the closure, Mohan said it has taken a little while for numbers to comeback.
    “In July with the impact of the flood we were down, because our main visitations are Calgarians, they are the ones not travelling,” said Mohan, adding that she is not concerned that the image of the flood has slowed all visitation.
    “I’m not too worried about international visitors or even from Edmonton, to us it was the visitors from Calgary,”’ said Mohan.

Many tourism operators felt a dip following the flooding events last month. Today it appears numbers are starting to rebound.

    Since then, numbers have begun to climb. In the first week of July they were down about 4,000 visitors, however in the second week they were down by about 1,000.
    “I am assuming by August we’ll be back on track for a good year,” she said.
    She adds they are planning a do a push come the later summer and fall to bring visitors back the valley.

To support L’Arche Calgary, which runs homes and programs for persons with developmental disabilities, a trio of golfers with endure 24 hours of non stop golf at the Dinosaur Trail Golf and Country Club starting at 8 a.m. Friday, July 26.

    For many, the perfect day out in the summer is long day at the local golf course. Several golfers will literally make a day of the Dinosaur Trail Golf and Country Club as they golf for 24 straight hours.
    The three will golf around the clock in support of L’Arche Calgary’s homes and programs for people with developmental disabilities. They will start bright and early and 8 a.m. on Friday, July 26, and end at 8 a.m the following morning.
    Nothing is more frustrating than a lost ball and the three, to keep track, during the night, the players will use glow-in-the-dark balls and flashlights. They will also mark the fairways and hazards with glow sticks.
    Though a day on the course is a dream for some, it might not be all fun and games to the marathon golfers.
     “All kidding aside, this will be grueling. This is not a relay. This is me going for 24 hours non-stop. This will mean blisters, pulled muscles and tendonitis. This will mean trying to swing a golf club after a night with no sleep when I will be so tired I will barely be able to walk and think. This will mean trying to make a golf swing while so sleep deprived and so fatigued that it will take every ounce of energy just to move,” said Randal Van de Moselaer. “I believe deeply in the work of L’Arche Calgaryand operating the homes and programs requires financial support in order to continue to make a significant impact in our community.”
    Residents are invited to stop by and watch the trio as they swing through their marathon golf game.
    “Scott Westman at Dinosaur Trail Golf Course in Drumheller has been very helpful and accommodating in making this event work,” said Dave Tod. “We will have an RV on site so why not drive down after work and join us for a round or…three!”