News | DrumhellerMail

PBI board members to review assessment

    The Board members of Prairie Bible Institute (PBI) have some important decisions to mull over, looking into the future of the iconic school in Three Hills.
    The Drumheller Mail reported in its July 29 edition that PBI was completing an analysis of its operations and exploring the possibility of moving its operation to Drumheller. President of PBI Jon Olhauser confirmed if they decide to move to Drumheller, they are investigating the former Drumheller Hospital Site as well as the current St. Anthony’s School property, both in east Drumheller.
    Most recently members of the Board of PBI held a town hall meeting with residents of Three Hills to share information with the estimated 600-plus attendants of the decision making process. Reports were that most in attendance were strongly opposed to the move.
    According to Bob Webber, communications person for PBI, the meeting is an important part of the decision making process.
    “The community was rallying saying, ‘this is a great place to be too!’” said Webber. “The assessment team is taking all that public input and putting it into its assessment they are bringing to the board.”
    Webber says there will be a board meeting in mid October where much of the findings of the study will be presented.
    “It was a useful meeting and there has been some good discussion on various things and at this point, it is impossible to speculate what the board will decide, but the board is gong to have all the options laid out for them,” said Webber.
    He said the board was courageous to look at the possibilities of relocation.
    “You have 80-some years of history in Three Hills, but the good news is there are some good possibilities for this organization that Drumheller offers, and they are willing to have the courage to look at it. It has opened a can of worms, but they are working through it,” said Webber.
    He adds the board is looking at all the possibilities that Drumheller has to offer including the air strip for its aviation school.
    “One message that did come out for everyone concerned is they can’t let a decision like this hang in the air for a long time. It creates too much uncertainly for everybody,” said Webber.

Federal, provincial contributions paves way for Rosebud Centre

    Rosebud Theatre is now able to realize a goal it set out on eight years ago and is moving forward on the Rosebud Centre.
    On a chilly Saturday morning on October 3, the provincial and federal government brought the news of a contribution of almost $2.5 million to the theatre in the Hamlet of Rosebud.
    Rosebud School of the Arts executive director Bob Davis is ecstatic they will be able to move ahead with the two-storey 10,000 square foot development which will expand the theatre’s dining area, gift shop, and add a tourist information centre and flexible teaching space for Rosebud School of the Arts.
    “This project marks a new era for our school, theatre and community, one that will greatly enhance the development of arts and education in rural Alberta while at the same time create jobs, opportunity for youth and important new facilities for tourism and culture that Canadians will enjoy for years to come,” said Davis.
    The federal government came through with $2 million for the project through the Community Adjustment Program. This is a two-year $1 billion national program that is part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. According to a release, it is designed to provide an economic stimulus by supporting projects that create jobs and maintain employment in rural communities.
    “I’m proud that our government, through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, is making an investment in a facility that will benefit both the economy and environment in Rosebud,” said MP Kevin Sorenson who was on hand for the announcement. “Expanding Rosebud Centre will help create jobs, improve local infrastructure and provide this region with more opportunities for economic growth.”
    The provincial government also chipped in to the project in a big way by contributing $450,000 through the Community Facility Enhancement Program.
    “All strong and vital communities have arts and culture at their core,” said Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. “The Government of Alberta is pleased to support this worthwhile project that will provide more Albertans with access to culture and further strengthen economic activity in the community and surrounding areas.”
    The Community Facility Enhancement Program is maintained by the Alberta Lottery Fund and has a budget of $38 million for 2009-2010. It provides financial assistance to build, repair, renovate or otherwise improve Alberta’s extensive network of community-use facilities.
    A release states that in addition to creating jobs, Rosebud Centre will, “further generate revenues by allowing the facility to operate year-round and enable more local and regional events, conferences, and festivals to be held in Rosebud.”
    Davis says preliminary discussion began in 2001 of building the Rosebud Centre. In 2003 and 2004 they began to pursue the project and completed some designs. At the time the federal and provincial government lent their support to the project, as well as other contributors including EnCana and BJ Services. Because of the economic boom, and the skyrocketing construction costs, the project was shelved. He says these two significant donations will allow the project to move forward. The work is not over however on the fundraising end says Davis. They will still have to come up with about $700,000 to complete the project.
    Construction will begin this October and it is anticipated it will conclude in the spring of 2011.

Back to School Bash showcases youth talent

    The Badlands Youth Initiative held their first event in the valley Friday night with the Back to School Band/Talent Bash.
    A venue was set up at the Freson IGA on Friday night as some of the valley’s young talent took the stage.
    “It was a lot of fun,” said Karla Roberts of the Town of Drumheller. “Everyone was super talented who signed up. In the audience, there were about 100. For the first event I’d say we had a good turn out.”
    She adds that youth volunteer support was strong with about 16 coming to help stage the show. There were also great community partners with a number of prizes for those in attendance.
    Local band Live in Stereo kicked off the show, and acted as a house band for the talent who followed. Roberts says while there were many musical acts, there was also other styles of entertainment including comedy and dance.
    Roberts explains the goal of the Badlands Youth Initiative is to engage young people.
    “Basically we just wanted to establish something youth could participate in and plan. We have also have funding we can help with,” said Roberts.
    The Badlands Youth Initiative held its meeting on Wednesday night at the Civic Centre to review the Friday night show, as well as brainstorm for their next event.
    Those interested in the Badlands Youth Initiative can check out their Facebook page.

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