While the Government of Alberta has allowed partaking of alcoholic drinks in selected parks, and major Alberta cities are mulling the idea, Drumheller CAO Darryl Drohomerski says the idea is not being considered currently in Drumheller.
The idea of allowing alcoholic drinks in parks has made headlines in the last few weeks as Edmonton and Calgary are looking at pilot projects. The discussion has come up locally.
“We looked at options around to try and allow drinking in a park. We are not Calgary or Edmonton, where we have 375 parks, where they can allow it in a few of them,” said Drohomerski.
He said they also talked to the RCMP about the potential of allowing this, and there were some issues, particularly with drinking and driving.
“We felt it was really not worth it to go down this hole for what we think is a short period. If we unwrap it, would we ever be able to wrap it up again,” he said.
While under current provincial COVID-19 restrictions patios are closed, prior to this the Town of Drumheller expedited applications for patios for local businesses, including Valley Brewing.
“We allowed Valley Brewing to take more of Munchie Park for a temporary area for their patio,” said Drohomerski. “Munchie Park is still a public park, we don’t want it all turned into a drinking place, but at the same time we can help a business by allowing them to have more area to have their patrons be outside when they can’t be inside.”
There is an area of about 1,000 square feet in Munchie Park cordoned off as a patio for Valley Brewing to use. Owner of Valley Brewing, Nick Sereda, tells the Mail when restrictions are lifted, they will be able to use it and plan on opening it on weekends or times of high volumes to be able to safely space people.
“It is no different than how we approved temporary patios at Tim Hortons or Damoa,” said Drohomerski. “We don’t see it as something of a permanent change, and we would revisit it next year to see if there are any changes that we would consider.”

Update Tuesday, May 25: Strathmore RCMP would like to advise Stanley Ameralik has been located safe and unharmed. RCMP would like to thank the public and media for their assistance.

Strathmore RCMP are asking the public for help locating a missing man last seen in Wheatland County.

The missing man, 39 year old Stanley Ameralik, was reported missing by family on Wednesday, May 19 and was last seen leaving his residence on Monday, May 17 in Wheatland County.

Stanley is described as:

• Indigenous
• 5’5” tall
• 139 lbs
• Black hair
• Brown eyes
• Last seen wearing a grey t-shirt, grey sweat pants and a black hat

There is concern for Stanley’s well-being. If you have any information regarding where Stanley Ameralik may be, you are asked to contact the Strathmore RCMP at 403-934-3968 or your local police.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com (http://www.p3tips.com) or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.