Three community organizations got a sizeable boost thanks to the World’s Largest Dinosaur Legacy Fund.
    On Wednesday, November 7, Badlands Search and Rescue, Nacmine Community Hall Association, and the Drumheller Community Football Association were presented with donations to put towards their respective projects.
    Badlands Search and Rescue was given $2,987 to put towards the purchase of an evacuation stretcher with wheels, an essential tool for rescuing anyone who is injured.
    The organization recently formed to provide search and rescue in the Drumheller, Hanna, and Strathmore areas.
    “We’re doing great. We’ve got our society status and are in the process of getting approved by Alberta Search and Rescue. We’ve been actively training for the last six months,” said Guy Latour, a member of Badlands Search and Rescue who accepted the donation. “This donation will go a long way to getting us operational.”
    The Nacmine Community Hall Association was given $2,669. Plans are in the works to add a new swing set to the park and beautify it for years to come. If all goes well, the swing set should be complete this fall and new plants will be added next year.
    The cost of a new, eight foot swing set is roughly $7,000.
    The final World’s Largest Dinosaur Legacy Fund recipient was the Drumheller Community Football Association, which received $1,700. The money will be used for the purchase of a new line-painting machine.
    The World’s Largest Dinosaur Legacy Fund invests a portion of the money generated by the attraction and its giftshop into the community.
    “We are happy to give back to the community through the World’s Largest Dinosaur Legacy Fund. When the dinosaur was built, one of the goals was to give back to the community. We’ve been doing that for many years and we expect to keep doing so many years into the future,” said Heather Bitz, general manager of the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce.
    The Chamber of Commerce will open the application process again come February 2013. The Chamber is hoping to fund projects less than $3,000.

The Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce presented $2,987 to Badlands Search and Rescue for the purchase of an evacuation stretcher and supplies. Pictured are Heather Bitz (left), general manager of the Chamber of Commerce, Badlands Search and Rescue members Richard Tietge, Guy Latour, Kellie Smith, Merv Smith, and Chamber president Ed Mah.

The Nacmine Community Association got a $2,669 boost from the World’s Largest Dinosaur Legacy Fund, which will go towards purchasing a new swing set for the Nacmine Park. Pictured are Chamber of Commerce president Ed Mah (left), Nacmine Community Association member Sheila Marquardt, and Chamber general manager Heather Bitz.

The Drumheller Community Football Association received $1,700 from the World’s Largest Dinosaur Legacy Fund. The money will be used to buy a new line painter. Pictured are Chamber of Commerce president Ed Mah(left),  Bantam Titans quarterback Mitchell Ostergard, Drumheller Community Football Association member Mike Ostergard, Titans lineman Noah Clark, and Chamber general manager Heather Bitz.

Michael James
| inSide Drumheller

    With kids no longer there, the field of the old St. Anthony’s School site has stood silent for over half a year. A developer is hoping to give new purpose to the field.
    Elektra Holdings, the company who currently owns the site land and building, are close to applying for and subsequently building houses on the empty field.
    “There are 2.54 acres that will be developed into 15 lots,” said Art James, an agent of Elektra Holdings, while addressing Town Council. “The subdivision will be applied for right away. We’re ready to go.”
    The original application to develop the field was made in late 2010. At the time, no definite plan was presented and it was suggested high-density housing, such as apartments, would be built.
    However, the plan now, explained James, is to build 15 houses at the site.
    At the October 22 meeting of Town Council, the future of the site was debated in light of new factors regarding it.
    Since the original application was made nearly two years ago, Hope College and Clinic have moved into the school. One of the main concerns from the Drumheller Municipal Planning Commission was there would not be enough parking for students and staff. As a result, parking would overflow to the surrounding streets.
    “If Hope College goes, there wouldn’t be enough parking and people would have to park on the street. I’ve talked to residents and they feel the parking would be in front of their houses,” said Councillor Doug Stanford. “I want to see a subdivision over there, but I want to make sure we have enough parking before it goes through.”
    Elektra Holdings feels, with some work, there could be enough parking at the school if the portable on the northeast corner and the playground on the south side were removed. By doing so, roughly 70 stalls would be available to the college.
    “It assumes that Hope College would be in full swing tomorrow. Even if it would start tomorrow, they may only have in their first year, according to projections, 50 or so students. It’s not going to be a case where you’re going to have 400 students in the first year,” said James. “The parking needs are met on site.”
    At the council meeting, a decision to extend the deadline for application of the subdivision was granted, with Councillors Stanford and Sharel Shoff opposed.
    The next step for Elektra Holdings will be to apply for the subdivision of the land. After that, public input would be required on the project.
    “When we make formal application...at that time, the subdivision will have to advertise for public input,” said James.