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Atlas Coal Mine completes new visitor centre design

    It’s been a busy two years for the Atlas Coal Mine and they aren’t showing any signs of slowing down.
   Plans are in the works to construct an $8.5 million underground visitor centre at the site.
   “We have some other work to do before we take that on, but it’s been part of our Tunnel Vision development plan, which we started implementing in 2008,” said Linda Digby, Director of the Atlas Coal Mine Historic Site.
   The goal of the building, which will be built into the railway berm at the site, would be to provide a comfortable space for visitors to the site, increase the interpretive potential of the Atlas, and help preserve the history contained there.
   “We are primarily an outdoor site and everyone in the badlands knows what that brings in terms of variable weather conditions. We need to provide a little more of a comfort station, looking at more of the visitors’ needs. It will also allow us to extend our season and operate at least eight months a year or maybe more,” said Digby.
   “It will also give us a way to tell more of the story in a compelling way. There are stories we want to tell, but we just don’t have a place to tell them yet. All of the valuable paper records we keep here in collections are at risk from extreme temperature variations throughout the year.”
   The design for the new visitor center has been completed after three years of work by an interpretive designer and architect. The Atlas has also put together a business plan and consulted with a fundraising expert about how to raise $8.5 million for the project.
   Aside from a new visitor centre, the Atlas is looking ahead to 2013 and the upcoming May Day and dedication of the Miners’ Memorial.
   “We’re thinking a lot about completing the Miners’ Memorial Park and dedicating it on May 4. There will be lots of interesting ways to engage with our mining history that weekend,” said Digby. “It’s a great time to have family to come back that weekend.”
   The Atlas is looking for volunteers to help plan the weekend and make it a success.
   The coal mine is continuing full steam ahead after two busy years which included the Mining Centennial in 2011, construction of the memorial, and continued restoration of the Atlas. However, 2012 proved to be a rollercoaster.
   “We had some great highs. The long weekend attendance blew us away. We had record-breaking weekends like we have never seen before,” said Digby. “But, we really felt like there were a few weeks in July when it was really unpleasant outside, because of the hot, muggy weather and mosquitos. Our Halloween event was impacted by the early arrival of winter.”
   There is no timeline established as of yet for the new visitor centre. For the time being, they continue to collect and tell the stories that made Drumheller.
   “If there are people out there who have memories from the mining years and haven’t talked to us yet, we’d love to hear from them,” said Digby.

St. Luke’s Outreach School awards first graduates

    The first class of St. Luke’s Outreach School in Drumheller graduated last year and just before Christmas, the outstanding work of the students was recognized.
   Derriston Baker of Drumheller received the Governor General’s’ Academic Medal on December 21 at a celebration at O’Shea’s Restaurant. Christ the Redeemer associate superintendent Scott Morrison presented him the award.
   The Governor General’s academic Award was established just 5 years after confederation and is thought as being the most prestigious academic award in Canada. One student per school is presented the award. The basis is that it is to be awarded to the student who achieves the highest average marks upon graduation. There is a Bronze Medal at the secondary level, a Bronze Medal at the collegiate diploma level, a silver at the undergraduate level and gold at the graduate level.
   Derriston’s mother Tanja is proud of her son’s accomplishments. He was also awarded the Grade 12 student of the year and the Ambassador award for St. Luke’s Outreach School.
Currently Derriston is employed at Flo-Max Compression in Drumheller and is taking the steps to become a heavy-duty mechanic.
     Jarek Lubinki also graduated from St. Luke’s. He received the Rise Above Award. This person recognizes their own value and worth, as well as the value and worth of others, and demonstrates resilience in the face of adversity.
   The Christian Witness awards, was given to Kelly Memme, the Grade 10 Most Improved Student Award went to Samantha Van Holland and the Athletic Award went to Samantha Noy.

Derriston Baker, graduate of St. Luke’s Outreach in Drumheller, right, received the Governor General’s Medal from associate superintendent of Christ the Redeemer School Division Scott Morrison.

Badlands Search and Rescue readies for official status

    Emergency services will soon have a new tool in their arsenal to locate missing persons thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers.
   In late December, Badlands Search and Rescue submitted their application to Alberta Search and Rescue to become certified in search and rescue.
   It is expected they will go operational in the spring.
   “At the end of December, we submitted our application to SAR Alberta, to become a certified search and rescue team,” said Guy Latour, a member of Badlands Search and Rescue. “We’re working to put ourselves in a position where when we are certified, we can go operational. In May or June, I’ll do the final course for our members and then we’ll be operational.”
   Badlands Search and Rescue recently received their official society status and have put together a board of directors and established society bylaws.
   From now until they are certified, they are doing anything but waiting. The members, who are volunteers, have been busy training.
   “We’re getting familiar with the area. In November, on the coldest day, we did a big hike through Midland Park along the railway track. We’re preparing for the opportunity, when it arises,” said Latour.
   Badlands Search and Rescue was started in response to a lack of any such organization currently in the area, the nearest being Calgary. The hope is RCMP detachments in a large radius around Drumheller will call upon Badlands Search and Rescue.
   “There is nobody out here right now. Once we build relationships and trust, we’ll be getting calls,” said Latour.
   They are also searching for volunteers willing to fill a variety of roles, many of which are in a support capacity, such as fundraising and logistics.
   “We’re always looking for members. I would stress there is always something for someone to do. For people out in the field, there are standards for training they have to meet. But, there are roles for people on the board, search base, and other opportunities to volunteer,” said Latour.
   Volunteering requires a commitment in terms of training and practice. It can also be a rewarding and challenging experience.
   “There is a commitment. You have to attend a certain number of practices, training, searches or mock searches. There is also the outdoor gear you need,” said Latour. “I’ve saved lives as part of teams and it’s absolutely the most rewarding thing you can be a part of. It can be demanding too. I’ve been part of searches where things haven’t turned out.”
   Anyone interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Latour at 403-823-1364.

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