Floor to ceiling windows near the back of the building open up to a breathtaking view of the Red Deer River. This paints the open lobby of the Badlands Community Facility with inviting natural light.
What the main floor provides
Intended for the use of local artists to display their work, a public art gallery lies on the first floor. The library also books in travelling art shows, from time to time, in this space for all to enjoy. Anyone can take in the gallery during the facility’s operating hours.
“Every month you have a different art exhibit. Either a local artist or one from the Canadian travelling exhibits [booked by the library],” said Guy Latour, business manager for the Badlands Community Facility.
On the main floor is the multi-purpose meeting rooms available for various uses. Alongside these meeting rooms is a clay studio. Clay sculptures in progress occupy large working tables and the kiln is awaiting to bring artists’ work to completion. Cottonwood Clayworks, a community group in Drumheller, runs classes for the public out of this space.
Drumheller Public Library
“The library was relocated over here from the Civic Centre, which has greatly expanded their ability for more programming,” said Latour.
Comfortable seating in the library provides a “cozy” place to relax and read or even just hang out.
Meanwhile a food kiosk is slated to go in just outside the library doors. “It’s been out to tender twice. We have three people bidding on the space and that’s with Town Council right now,” said Latour.
Modern banquet hall ready for action
Located upstairs in the facility is the banquet hall. Featuring a modern lighting system that can be adjusted to dim the lights or turn them up, enables users to set the mood for their function. The space is also very well sound-proofed, which ensures the rest of the facility is not disturbed no matter what type of affair is taking place. The hall offers versatility, with the ability to be one giant space, or divided into three individual rooms. “There are three sections to the banquet hall. Each section can sit around 133 with tables, and 200 theatre style,” Latour said.
Latour said the hall is state-of-the-art. He said everything is wired in to a Crestron Controls system, which enables the linking of all three projectors, which are located on the ceiling of each section together. This way the same image can be shown on all three projectors simultaneously if desired. He said the internal sound system has the capability for CD, iPod, and a live band can easily link their equipment into the facility’s system.
World-class view
The terrace along the back of the pre-function area, offers a view overlooking the river and the foliage along the banks. Birds can be heard singing sweetly in their nests, and it gives guests a chance to have a breath of fresh air.
“This is what I call a world-class view,” said Latour.
A large outdoor barbecue also occupies this area, ready to grill up some tasty meals.
Behind the scenes
Everything from a full cooking area, walk in freezers, ice machine, full beverage area, to a popcorn machine, the facility’s kitchen is ready to serve up some delicious food. Stainless steel commercial appliances occupy the space from wall to wall.
“From what I’ve been told, there is not another kitchen at this level in town. That’s just what I’ve been told,” said Latour.
“We have a huge capacity to cook all the meals we will need for this size of a facilty,” said Latour.
Latour said the Elks Club was highly impressed after holding a conference recently in the facility, serving around 400 people.
“Everybody who’s been here so far says ‘we’re coming back,’” said Latour.
Recreation for all ages
“Our numbers for the gym are at the end for what we predicted for the third year. We’re doing fantastic [in that area], we’re just having a hard time getting staff to add more to the programming,” said Latour.
Latour said for the three months the facility has been open, over 11,000 people have entered the field house and the fitness centre.
Even during the middle of the afternoon on a weekday, members are getting a “sweat on” and taking advantage of the brand new workout space. There are over 30 cardio machines, an area for stack or “circuit” machines, a running track, weight room, and field house. When opened up, the field house can be used as a full court for sports like soccer and lacrosse. Divided up it has the versatility of being three basketball courts, three volleyball courts, or six badminton courts. When divided up the space usually has combinations of activities taking place all at once to suit members wants. Latour mentioned the facility provides the equipment needed for the activities, including things like rackets for badminton.
The running track has been extremely popular. Latour said everyone from seniors to mothers come out regularly to use the space. Cool air flowing from the air conditioning system allows members to escape the elements of the outdoors and continue to enjoy a walk or a run. The facility purchased strollers to be used directly on the track, so parents can enjoy a workout with their child right there with them.
Indoor play space
Ideal for children to run, play and be active, the indoor playground located in the field house is ready for the pitter-patter of little feet.
“This space is very popular on rainy days,” said Latour.
The playground offers a special safe surface for the kids to play on, which is made out of recycled rubber, and is somewhat bouncy and soft to walk on.
Latour said the space is built to outdoor playground standards, meaning there’s always six feet around the structure where a kid could potentially fall, adding to the safety of the recreational area.
“We’ve had people come from Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and even Red Deer who have said ‘we don’t have a facility like this in our community’. I’d say we’re pretty lucky,” said Latour.