It has been a busy and tumultuous year for Drumheller town council.
Council has completed its first full year mandate and they had their plate full going in.
Mayor Terry Yemen holds one accomplishment above all others.
“The thing I am proud of the most, and I think council is too, is the moving of the cenotaph to a place of honour,” said Yemen. “If you didn’t do anything else in a year and you did that, then you did good.”
He is also proud of the town’s involvement with the celebration of the centennial of coal mining. This year, the community celebrated with a number of activities including May Day, pony days, a number of cultural displays and performances, and participation in the Calgary Stampede Parade.
One thing that has dominated council and much discussion in the community is the Badlands Community Facility. While construction has faced delays, it is hoped it will open early in the new year. Yemen said council played a role in putting it back on track.
Other infrastructure projects last year included the completion of the upgrade to the Drumheller landfill, valued at $7.8 million. It also wrapped up, after about four years a $16 million upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant.
Council also opened up dialogue with the Drumheller Institution to renegotiate its water and wastewater contract, and this is a priority for council moving into the new year.
Another contentious issue in 2011 year was the reaction from residents of East Coulee on the expansion of the waterline. Council recently received the results of a survey of residents and the majority have voiced opposition.
Moving forward, council held its annual retreat before Christmas identifying its priorities moving forward. They include the Badlands Community Facility funding strategy, renegotiating its utility rates contract with the Drumheller Institution, making a decision on the relocation of Town Hall, beginning to explore design and committee structure for Phase 2 of the Badlands Community Facility, and preliminary plans for the Town of Drumheller’s 2013 centennial celebrations.
