Christmas came early for the Midlandvale Community Hall Association (MCHA). On December 22nd, 2023, the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) granted Drumheller’s Midland community $656,396 to build a new outdoor rink.
With the $157,000 raised by the MCHA, the funds for the project is just over $813,000.
Global Sport Resources, of Leduc County, will be building the rink and is busy finalizing design plans with the MCHA that have been in the works for over two years. Cindy Sereda, a volunteer with the association has been overseeing the project and is looking forward to breaking ground this spring.
“We are super happy to move forward,’’ she says, “And it’s all thanks to the support from the community for making the CFEP grant a possibility, through donations.”
The project will be Drumheller’s first fully accessible community outdoor rink, and the second to be built in Alberta. It will be NHL size, with a fully accessible viewing area and skate shack, available to the general public year-round, as a recreational space for winter and summer sports. As well as a gathering place for tournaments and community events.
Drumheller’s Mayor Heather Colberg is excited for the residents. “This will be amazing for the community. From Pickleball courts to hockey, and even bathrooms,” she says, “This is all because of everyone who worked so hard to make it happen.”
The current rink is still open to the public this winter and will be demolished in spring 2024, with the new rink scheduled for opening by winter 2024.

On Dec. 30, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., an off-duty RCMP officer from Calgary was driving on highway 573 East of Drumheller when he witnessed a lone male suspect in a gas plant compressor site whom appeared to be stealing copper wire. Drumheller RCMP offciers were notified and responded to the area; however, prior to their arrival, the suspect left the scene in a white Nissan pickup truck. Through collaboration with the off-duty officer, officers intercepted and stopped the suspect vehicle.

The lone occupant of the vehicle was arrested and taken into custody. Officers located large amounts of copper wire, contraband cigarettes, drug paraphernalia, apparent cocaine, bear spray, fireworks, and more in the vehicle. Officers further confirmed that a break and enter did occur at the compressor site.

As a result, 37-year-old Bryan Burrill, a resident of Carbon, Alta., was charged with:

Break and Enter;
Mischief to Property;
Possess Weapon for Dangerous Purpose;
Possess Weapon, ammunition, or explosive contrary to a Prohibition Order;
Possess cocaine;
Possess contraband cigarettes;
Drive uninsured motor vehicle.

Burrill was taken before a Justice of the Peace for a Judicial Interim Release Hearing and released. He is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller on Jan. 26, 2024.

Detachment Commander, S/Sgt. Robert HARMS, stated “The company that owns the compressor site no doubt sustained significant damages and losses as a result of this crime. The keen eye and involvement of the off duty RCMP Sergeant played a key role in not only identifying that a break and enter was in progress but also in the apprehension of the suspect.”

If you have any information regarding criminal activity, call 911, or contact your local Police Service. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.