Those interested in the post-dinosaur history of Drumheller will have an opportunity to suggest significant buildings and to assist the Heritage Steering Committee in their quest to compile a list of historical buildings.
It’ll allow those in Drumheller interested in heritage properties to contribute to the inventory of buildings, which would eventually allow these buildings to seek heritage status from the town.
Municipal designations of historic significance on properties make them eligible for grant funding from the province.
“We’ll be able to talk to people with properties of interest, or ones they know about, and give them information about the process of the inventory,” said the project’s town resource and coordinator for the project, Paul Salvatore.
Buildings that earn a place in the estimated 30 spots of heritage buildings could qualify for funding for preservation. After 30 historic buildings have been identified by the committee, they will request permission to hire a professional consultant to go through the buildings and assess their historic value.
“It’ll give us a starting point,” said Salvatore. “We’re getting into more detail as we go, but we want to encourage more participation with the committee to get the people involved in the process.”
The town hasn’t undertaken a formal process of assessing the historic value of buildings since the 1990's Main Street Program.
The goal for the inventory is so Drumheller has a more comprehensive system for preserving its buildings and structures of historic value.
“If we can identify which properties are significant, then we can take action to designate those properties so they can be protected,” said Salvatore.
Salvatore expects the inventory will be conducted over the summer and into the fall, with a report written by spring of next year.
The total Heritage Inventory project has an estimated $50,000 cost, paid for by funds from Alberta Heritage Preservation Foundation ($20,000), the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Drumheller and Community Futures Big Country (the three each contributing $10,000).
Members of the Heritage Inventory Steering Committee include Tom Zariski, Mike Todor, John Schinnour, Rhea Brady, and Annette Neilsen.
