Rotary to unveil new historic driving tour signs at May Day

As part of the May Day Celebrations this weekend, the Drumheller Rotary Club and partners will be unveiling new placards through the valley sharing the history of mining.

    The Rotary has maintained the signs for years as a way to preserve the memories of the history of the valley. Of course, the rigors of time and weather have meant the signs have had to be repaired and replaced. This time they have sought out a stronger more resilient material to replace the 18 cedar signs.
    Brent Pedersen explained to inSide Drumheller the new material used is called Folia and is purported to be UV and graffiti resistant.
    While the Rotary spearheaded the project, under the direction of Pedersen, Leo Jensen and Ron Rawlusyk, it has been a collaboration with a number of groups and businesses.
    Canalta has been a financial partner for the signs. The Atlas Coal Mine helped with providing better quality images and updating some of the historical information, and Royal Tyrrell Museum graphic designer Kelly Kuhl worked on the design and graphics. Hi-Way 9 Express was supportive by transporting and storing the signs.
    Pedersen said HB Enterprises in Drumheller have also been a great support. They have been repairing and modifying the steel frames for the new signs.
    The Alberta government’s Community Initiatives Fund also helped to support the project.
    On Sunday at 1 p.m. following the May Day March in Downtown Drumheller there will be a short program to introduce the new signs. A map guide to the signs that interpret Drumheller’s history will be distributed.
    After two decades of taking care of the signs, the Rotary has struck a deal with the Atlas Coal Mine, which will now take over the stewardship of the signs.