Construction on the Badlands Community Facility continues, even in the frigid weather.
Chair of the Badlands Community Facility Steering Committee Tony Lacher said they have made good progress this fall on the construction of the facility in downtown Drumheller.
Earlier in the fall, the pile driving was complete. Rebar arrived in mid October and right now the footings are going in.
“The next step is pouring the grade beam on the outer perimeter of the building,” said Lacher.
He said the structural steel, which forms the overhead arches are being fabricated offsite. The steel arches are expected to arrive any day, and should be up by mid December.
“It should really start to take some form,” he said.
From what he understands, the construction is still on schedule despite the wintery blast the valley has recently experienced.
“There is nothing critical that says we are off track. We have a tentative date for an August ribbon cutting and there is no indication the date has been moved any which way” he said.
He adds, when the structural steel is erected, resident will see dramatic progress.
“Once that outside frame is up, it doesn’t take much to close it in,” he said, adding because natural gas is already on site, the site is not reliant on propane to heat the structure as work continues on the interior.
On the money side, the fundraising committee has recently contracted a firm to assist with the fundraising effort.
“Nine Lions is to provide us with consulting capacity more than anything else. We are all volunteers and new at this so they are giving us pointers along the way,” said Lacher. “It is a big pot of money to raise.”
