DrumhellerMail | DrumhellerMail

Area athletes represent Alberta at National Senior Games

Tuesday, August 27, saw the Alberta team of just under 600 lead the Parade of Athletes into the ExpoCite at the Canada 55 plus Senior Games in Quebec City.
A total of roughly 2,500 participants from 10 provinces, the North West Territories and Yukon made their way by plane, train and car to engage in 20 various activities, some of which were unique to Quebec and eastern Canada. Alberta team members proudly waved their Canadian flags and wore Alberta pins on their royal blue shirts. Alberta flag bearers were Norma Dawson and Doug Campbell.
Alberta had representation in a wide range of sports, from golf, pickleball, 8-ball pool, darts, track and field, crib, tennis, duckpin bowling and floor shuffleboard. The largest contingent on the Alberta team was made up of hockey teams with three men’s and three women’s teams, with good representation as well as in golf, pickleball and track and field.
Drumheller had three participants at the Games. Wendy Laughlin ran four track events (the maximum allowed), winning three medals, including a gold in the 3,000 meters. She was busy, also running in the 10k bonus run.
Alison Ostergard played hockey on the ladies 60+ Alberta team, the first time a Zone 2 ladies’ team has qualified for the Canadian Games.
Linda Traquair played Duckpin Bowling - a game played only in Quebec. A special moment was when a competitor from Yukon bowled a perfect game in the first game of the event.
Hanna residents Cal and Deb Werner played in the 8-ball pool tournament, with Deb winning a bronze medal.
Alberta finished second in the total medal count (199 total), second only to Ontario with a total of 211 medals. Alberta colleced 100 gold medals, 61 silver and 38 bronze medals. Ontario had 81 gold, 77 silver and 53 bronze. The home province finished third with 181 total medals.
“It was great to see that all provinces and territories went home with medals,” said Traquair.
The Games wrapped up with a banquet and the presentation of the “Spirit Award” to the Nova Scotia team. It was announced that the 2026 Canada Senior Games will be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
“Hopefully, this will permit more individuals from Alberta to attend as travel options will be easier,” said Traquair.
It was also announced that Mr. Dave Finn, currently the president of Alberta 55 Plus will assume the role of President of the Canada Senior Games Board in May 2025.
The 2025 Provincial Summer Games will be held in Leduc, Alberta, August 21st - 24, 2025. Alberta 55 Plus is made up of eight Zones. Each Zone will hold qualifiers prior to June 2025 to determine the representatives to the Provincial Games as they start to assemble to team to attend the 2026 Canada Senior Games.
Watch for the announcement of fun games and demonstration events this fall. Individuals interested in knowing more about Alberta 55 plus can contact Linda Traquair at 403.823.8460.

Kneehill approves bush buggies for Carbon, Three Hills

Screenshot 2024 09 09 at 11.55.20 AM copy
Kneehill County is due to replace two bush buggies in their fire service area.
The Carbon Fire Department bush buggy was due to be replaced in 2023 and the Three Hills bush buggy is scheduled for replacement in 2024.
Protective Services Manager Debra Grosfield explains that current bush buggies in the County are different because each individual department had its own truck built to align with the department’s needs. Five-year fire agreements were negotiated with the villages and the Town of Three Hills on capital purchases in 2020-2024. Some of the department’s bush buggies are owned by the villages, while other are already owned by the county. Linden does not have a bush buggy.
As part of that agreement, bush buggies are to be replaced by Kneehill County as the grass fires largely occur within the county. From 2021-2023 there were 138 outside/grass fires in the county, while there were 25 in the urban areas.
The county explored a few different options for bush buggies that varied in capacity, ground clearance, and storage. They ranged in price from $320,000 to $470,000. These trucks are modular, and components can be replaced without dismantling the entire truck. Going forward the County hopes to standardize these new units.
Administration recommends a Type 6 bush buggy. This would have dual pumps, better capacity and is set up to use a larger diameter hose. This comes in at $390,000.
Council approved a motion to purchase the Type 6 Bush Buggies for Carbon and Three Hills at a cost of $390,000 each in the 2025 Budget, with funds from the Captial equipment reserve.

RCMP conduct training exersize in valley

RCMP Training High Risk Stop
Residents of Drumheller Valley and area may see increased police presence from time to time due to police training operations in the area.
On Thursday, September 5 2024, a “Police Training Advisory” was issued through local media and social media in response to such training that occurred east of the Town of Drumheller.
Staff Sergeant Robert Harms of Drumheller RCMP explained that RCMP officers across Canada, including in Drumheller, have always been subject to ongoing and “industry leading” training and re-certification regarding a wide range of policing skills.
In 2024, Drumheller RCMP rolled out an aggressive in-house tactical training program to supplement the existing training already received.
He stated that the primary purpose for the additional training is quite simply to ensure “policing excellence” regarding officer skills, preparation, and response to even the most complex situations.
S/Sgt. Harms further explained that although the RCMP does not share the specifics of tactics and training publicly, the in-house training program often involves mastering tactics, equipment use, team work, communications, and more. Often, neighbouring detachment officers and officers from support units will attend the training.
S/Sgt. Harms further stated that such training occurs regularly, is often out of the public eye, and is sure to continue for the foreseeable future; he thanks the many property owners, agencies, and the Town of Drumheller for their support including graciously allowing officers to utilize properties and facilities for such training.