A snowy day Saturday, December 13 saw recently appointed Culture and Tourism Minister, Hon. Maureen Kubinec complete a busy tour of area attractions covered by her department.
The Minister toured the gallery of the Badlands Artists Association in downtown Drumheller, prior to a behind the scenes tour of the Royal Tyrrell Museum directed by Dr. Don Brinkman, head of research at the Royal Tyrrell, and accompanied by museum staff.
Minister Kubinec enjoyed a tour of the specimens storage area where she saw the recently recovered specimen from southern Alberta discovered by two fishermen earlier this fall. The Minister was also pleased to see an Albertosaurus skull on display that was removed from the Kubinec Family Farm east of Three Hills in 1985, along the Red Deer River.
Minister Kubinec recalled attending the Official Opening of the Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in the same year, watching then Premier Peter Lougheed perform that duty.
There was a luncheon meeting with Kneehill County Reeve Bob Long and Chris Curtis, Executive Director of Drumheller Tourism, along with museum officials, before the Minister made a presentation of a check for $75,000 to the Handhills Lake Community Association for upcoming renovations to their Hall. The Funds are the result of an application for Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) money to assist the Handhills group renovate the kitchen and washroom areas and generally make needed improvements.
Association President Layton Rosin told the Minister that the hall is well used of late and the improvements will make for a better facility. They are also receiving funds from the federal government and the Specials Areas District. Mr. Rosin told the Mail they are very close to reaching their fundraising goal and hope to complete the improvements in time for the 100th Handhills Rodeo in 2016.
The Minister then headed out to the Rosebud Theatre in the afternoon for a performance.
