Think you got what it takes to show you are FireFit? Then give it a try at this year’s competition come September 9.

Drumheller is playing host to a Scott FireFit Regional competition that weekend, and on the Friday evening before firefighters from across the country take to the course on Saturday, local teams can try out the challenge. Organizer Duane Bolin says there is lots of room for teams to sign up.

“We are shooting for 30 teams,” he said.

Described as the toughest two minutes in sports, firefighters take on an obstacle course in full gear and airpacks, testing the member’s strength, endurance, and skills.

While it sounds daunting, those taking part in the corporate challenge don’t have it quite as tough. In fact, the corporate challenge is more about fun and camaraderie.

Participants in the corporate challenge are not required to compete with the turnout gear or airpacks, and the challenge can be done as a team with up to five members and each can take on a leg of the course.

Drumheller hosted a regional competition in 2011 and there were about 20 teams that took on the corporate challenge. Bolin hopes to get just as many teams and says there are quite a few teams expressing interest. It’s a fun way to build friendly rivalries.

For those wondering what the experience might be like, the fire department is setting up a practice session on Thursday, September 1 at 6:30 p.m. Those wishing to try out the course can come to the firehall and see what it takes to be FireFit.

It’s a smoother ride around Drumheller as the town summer paving program will finish in about a week.

Roads from Riverside Drive east of 5 Street East to 9 Street East, 7 Avenue to 6 Avenue East, 2 Street SW from Highway 575 to 5 Avenue SW, and 2 Street SE from 10 Ave to Hunts Drive were repaved this summer as a part of the town’s annual street improvement program.

“It’s an ongoing process,” says infrastructure director Al Kendrick. “We evaluate different areas each year and prioritize as the need arises.”

He says the scale and scope of work varies each year depending on contractor prices and the road itself.

“It fluctuates how much concrete and asphalt we get done. Sometimes we’re limited on how far we go if we have to rebuild the base in some areas. The soil they used in the 80s is almost like jello when you take the granular material off. You get surprised every once in awhile when we open something up,” says Kendrick. 

The portion of work done on Riverside Drive required workers to mill off a layer of asphalt for replacement, but ultimately the work done extended the life of the road for another 25 years.

   “We try to stay on top of it,” Kendrick says.

   Costs for the project this year benefitted with the cost of asphalt down due to the price of oil. 

The town spends around $800,000 a year on major road repair work, with $200,000 to $300,000 budgeted for minor asphalt and concrete work.