As construction work is underway for the Badlands Community Facility, and with the John Anderson Park diamond no longer useable, a location for its replacement is now being looked into and rebuilding the diamond situated in Rosedale has been proposed.
With this in mind, the Town of Drumheller recently applied for a grant via the Municipal Sponsorship Program.
If approved, the grant would be for $73,791. With capital cost estimated at $347,629 and expected inkind contributions of $137,717, an additional funding of $136,121 will remain to be found.
The project is therefore expected to be completed in phases, with further grants being obtained in 2010 and 2011.
Originally, the town had proposed for a replacement diamond to be created at the Newcastle Recreation area, however, Al Kendrick, director of Infrastructure Services explains, “the Rosedale diamond is not in the best condition now, we have done some work with it, it’s difficult to get people to use it...because of the condition it is in.”
Kendrick also attributes the lack of use due to children getting involved into different activities nowadays, such as soccer.
He also believes the implicatons from council is that they want to have recreation facilities serving the easterly portion of the community as well as the west side of town.
With the community hall and skating rink in close proximity to the diamond together with green areas and closeby campground, it is hoped that rebuilding the diamond may draw people to use it more.
Although a new diamond at Newcastle Recreation Park is still an option and once the funding is secured, the logistics will be looked at again.
Kendrick is hoping to hear about the funding by the end of March, but warns the funding process can take longer so it may be that work will need to wait until the fall to begin in order not to disturb it during the season when it will be utilized.
If the funding doesn’t come through, Kendrick confirmed the diamond will be maintained as is.
