The Rails to Trails project received a huge boost as Canalta pledged $150,000 to develop trails.
The announcement was made at the second annual Rails to Trails Christmas Party at the Badlands Community Facility on Saturday, December 16.
Marketing Manager for Canalta Ryan Semchuk said it was an easy decision for the company to support the project.
“We have been watching the project for quite a while and not just our ownership but the whole company is excited about the opportunity of being able to have that trail experience from the Last Chance Saloon, all the way out to the Royal Tyrrell Museum… We felt especially given the business level and the way it has been since pre-pandemic, life has come back to a pretty good place in the accommodation sector, so we are really excited to allocate these funds to hopefully push this project a little bit closer to completion,” said Semchuk.
He sees benefits to the community in the development.
“It will help with the overall quality of life in Drumheller. It provides accessibility, being able to explore some of these areas we have never been able to explore before,” he said.
“Drumheller as a destination has continued to evolve in a really positive direction,” said Semchuk. “But looking at 2023 into 2024, tourism growth has been amazing here and being able to offer that not just to the local residents but also the visitors coming here to experience a world-class trail system,” he said.

Starland County has paved the way for a potential new commercial and light industrial development.
The County has purchased an approximately 145-acre property at Highway 9 and 27, southeast of Morrin Corner for a business park development.
At a special meeting on Monday, December 18, the county considered five tenders to develop an Area Structure Plan. They awarded the contract to Stantec to develop the plan. Developing the Area Structure plan will include having an environmental assessment completed as well as a historical assessment, a traffic impact assessment and stormwater management. A conceptual plan will be developed and public input will be sought along the way.
“As our economy evolves, it’s crucial for us to adapt and create opportunities that benefit not just today but also the future of Starland County,” said a Council representative. “This business park is more than just a development; it’s a stepping stone towards a prosperous future.”
According to a press release, the County will soon be issuing tenders for the engineering and construction work necessary for the park's development. As part of its commitment to transparency and community involvement, Starland County will publish a Request for Information and host a Public Open House. This step invites input from stakeholders, ensuring that the park aligns with the needs and expectations of the community and potential investors.
At the Special meeting, the council also accepted a motion to take $170,000 from its reserves to pay for the Area Structure Plan. They also approved a motion to support applications to the Alberta Northern and Regional Economic Development Program for a grant that could potentially cover half of the costs of the Area Structure Plan.
“There are a lot of people looking forward to it,’ said Reeve Steve Wannstrom indicating residents and potential businesses. The planning involves comprehensive strategizing to ensure the park meets the growing needs of the county, with a particular emphasis on modern infrastructure and sustainable practices.
“Council made sure before they approved the funding that administration went out and did preliminary conversations with different businesses; external one and internal ones and there was nothing but positives,” said Starland CAO Christopher Robblee.
They expect the Area Structure Plan to be completed in November - December 2024