While the Town of Drumheller is literally weeks away from beginning to move to its new downtown location, there still are some nagging misconceptions on how the project is being funded.
It has been more than two years in the making, however renovations to the former Civic Centre and library are nearing completion. The newly renovated facility addresses a number of concerns about the current Town Hall. The renovated Civic Centre is modern by comparison and is handicapped accessible.
Mayor Terry Yemen is hoping to address some of what he terms “confusion,” mostly from the funding for the renovation and move.
Mayor Terry Yemen
“The cost for the project is approximately $2 million; one and a half of which is provincial grant funding that has been earmarked for this project,” he explains. “Approximately $450,000 has been put in the Town of Drumheller’s budget, so there is no borrowing to complete the project.”
He goes on to explain there are a number of reasons the move makes sense, including the fact the current town hall is not owned by the Town of Drumheller, but by the provincial government.
“The Town has outgrown this building, it doesn’t have adequate storage or office space; there are safety and building code violations and it is not handicapped accessible.”
It would be too costly to modernize the building.
“It has a costly heating and air conditioning system and the building is far from energy efficient. The building has asbestos in it which will have to be dealt with before any renovations could be started, which is a very costly process.”
“To bring the building up to code and provide handicapped accessibility would cost in the neighbourhood of $800,000- $900,000 for a building the Town does not own.”
Yemen also points out the merits of having Town Hall in downtown Drumheller versus a residential section of town.
“The Hall will be located in the business centre of Drumheller which will no doubt help in the revitalization of downtown Drumheller,” he said.
He feels the town’s $450,000 portion of the investment is sound.
“The building is much more energy efficient than the current location, which will result in a savings of utility costs,” he said.
The Town is hoping to begin the move next month.
