The fundraising campaign for the Badlands Community Facility (BCF) has seen its share of challenges in recent months. A recent announcement adds another.
    Two weeks ago, the co-chairs for the fundraising cabinet, Jeff Hall and Elson McDougald, resigned, leaving the organization to regroup.
    Each had their reasons, but agreed it was time for others to take up the torch.
    “I wasn’t getting anymore done. We had raised $3.3 million and I couldn’t see myself adding much more to that, so I thought it was time for someone to take over,” said McDougald, who had been involved for three years. “I’m travelling a fair amount. I hope someone else can come in and give it more attention.”
    Hall, who had been involved since the beginning, said the campaign was shifting its focus from going after large-scale corporate donors to more event-based fundraising.
    “I felt it was something that wasn’t my strength as a fundraiser. I’ve been involved with it for a long time. There were a lot of challenges,” said Hall. “It was something I enjoyed and I am still really supportive of the facility, but it’s time for other people to consider stepping up and help drive the process forward.”
    Each were proud to have volunteered with the cabinet and helped get the BCF up and running.
    “The highlight for me was working with everyone else on the cabinet and speaking with people who were willing to step forward and help with a financial commitment,” said Hall.
    At the January 21 meeting of the Committee of the Whole, the announcement was made and gratitude was expressed for all the two had done.
    “The people of Drumheller have a lot to thank them for. They showed great guidance and direction. They’re busy people and we’re fortunate to have had them as long as we did,” said Mayor Terry Yemen.
    The BCF fundraising campaign has raised roughly $3.3 million to date out of a $6 million goal. There were concerns by members of Council the campaign had been losing traction and efforts were being made to regain momentum.
    For now, the fundraising campaign is taking some time to reassess where it is headed. The Town is also working to establish a community foundation, which would aid the facility.
    Currently, the big push for fundraising is the Legacy Patio Brick Campaign.
    “It’s been slow, but it will have to be part of the recharge as we get things in order and new people on the cabinet. We need more than ideas though. We need a time commitment to go along with it. We’re going to have to look at other options. We’re looking at a foundation, like the 'Friends of the BCF',” said Yemen.
    Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the Town.
    “Get behind it. It’s a fantastic facility and the next phase is looking outstanding for Drumheller. There are enough resources in Drumheller to finish it,” said McDougald. “We just have to get the momentum going and local support is so important for that.”

    This week’s Speaker Series takes on an explosive topic that is sure to be hot, volcanic in fact.
    The Tyrrell’s popular Speaker Series continues this Thursday with Dr. Julia Roberge. Her talk is entitled “Volcanoes: lessons learned from studying Popocatepetl, the active volcano that overlooks Mexico City.”
    Roberge, originally from Quebec, is now professor of volcanology at the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico. Her interest in volcanoes was sparked at an early age when the world was captivated by the 1980 Mount St. Helen’s eruption. She recalled the blanket of ash that draped her father’s car in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
    This fueled her drive to pursue an academic career in volcanology. She now resides near Popocatepetl, the active volcano that overlooks Mexico City. In her talk, Roberge will discuss how volcanoes form and function and will also present a breath-taking overview of the field expeditions she frequently leads to the active volcano in order to learn what makes it “tick.”
    Speaker Series talks are free and are held on Thursdays until April 25, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the Museum auditorium. Each talk is approximately one-hour long.
    Speaker Series talks are also online on the Royal Tyrrell Museum channel on YouTube.