The long-delayed Badlands Motorsports Resort development near Rosebud says they are aiming to break ground on the project this year.

The developers tweeted on January 30 they will be refining a business plan to present to investors in order to start developing the 4.8 kilometre north track, one of two tracks planned for the project, and support facilities in 2019.

“Our plan now for the next few months is to look at getting contracts and tenders out,” says CEO Jay Zelazo, saying the track will be the first step in developing the rest of the project.

Badlands Motorsports Resort has gained municipal approval from Kneehill County and they are waiting for final approval from Alberta Environment.

The project has met opposition from some nearby residents, particularly from a group called Save the Rosebud, over disruptions to local wildlife and noise generated by the track. According to the developer’s website, the site is four hundred and twenty-five acres north of the Rosebud River. The north track sits atop of a plateau overlooking the rest of the site.

The Town of Drumheller has closed the Memorial Arena with immediate effect. A service technician is aware of the situation and working on a solution.
“The sensor panel on the ammonia detector is not working. The building cannot be operated safely without this sensor panel and therefore no occupants will be allowed inside until the issue is fixed,” explained Darryl Drohomerski CAO of the town of Drumheller. “The technician has gone to Calgary to collect a replacement panel and we are hopeful to get the issue fixed tomorrow.”
“All the user groups have been informed of the situation and we will keep people informed of any updates,” added Julia Fielding Communications Officer for the Town of Drumheller. “We apologize for the inconvenience but the health and safety of staff and users is paramount in this situation.”