Husky Energy boosted fundraising efforts for the new Standard Community Hall on November 1 with a donation of $50,000.
    In recognition of the donation, a compilation of historical pictures and artifacts from the area are to be displayed in the hall and will be named the Husky Heritage Display.
    The Hussar Gas Plant, now owned by Husky Energy, was originally built in 1959 by Tennessee Gas & Oil Co. and was expected to produce for 10-15 years. Now, 52 years later, this field is still producing and has been an integral part of the community of Standard, providing employment to many residents over the years.
    “Supporting the communities where our employees live and work is a core value at Husky,” said Rob Symonds, Vice President of Western Canada Production. “The new hall will be a focal point in the community and with its enhanced disaster centre capabilities and meeting spaces, it will become an even more vital asset to the area.”
    “Our community certainly appreciates the support of the business corporations within the community”, commented Ron Corbiell, chairman of the Standard Community Hall Building Committee. “Our smaller communities really gain from the support of Husky and other oil industry companies both from donations and employment opportunities.”
    This donation brings the total raised to $1,229,482 through fundraising, private and corporate donations and a matching Community Spirit Grant of $21,657.  More government grants can be applied for when a firm completion date is determined for the estimated $2.6 million project.

    The subsidized housing units in Drumheller are getting a much-needed makeover, not only for aesthetics, but also for energy efficiency.
    The Drumheller Housing Administration, which stewards the provincially operated subsidized units in Huntington Hills and in the Greentree area, was able to secure a federal stimulus grant through Canada’s Economic Action Plan to make improvements to the properties.
    Over the last three years, the Housing Administration has been able to replace 80 per cent of the furnaces, with high efficiency units. It also retrofitted the hot water tanks and toilets to save energy and water.
    The administration has also been able to renovate the interiors of many of the 50 units as they have become vacant.
    The last step of the process is replacing the siding, and right now crews are in the process of this renovation.
    “Not only does it reduce our carbon footprint, but it also saves money with the energy improvements,” said Jay Garbutt chairman of the Drumheller Housing Administration.
    He adds that even though the province foots the bill for the heat and water; it comes out of revenues supported by taxpayers.
    The Huntington Hills units were built in 1971, and the housing units in Greentree were built in 1967.  Canada’s Economic Action Plan is paying for 100 per cent of the project, and Garbutt applauds the Drumheller Housing Administration management for pursuing the grants to retrofit the units.
    He said the management has been able to take advantage of the Inside-Out program and used federal inmate labours for many of the improvements. It has also extensively used local contractors when possible to complete the bulk of the work, putting more locals to work.
    “This is a direct result of the federal stimulus program,” said Garbutt.