Village Officials in Carbon are hoping when the pool refills in the spring a new, improved outdoor pool will be in the pipe.
    The Carbon pool task force was created two years ago to investigate the possibility of replacing the current pool. With the recent focus on making the Carbon Centennial celebrations as big as possible, those plans were put on hold.
    However, now that things have calmed down, a new pool is back on the agenda.
    “We’ll be starting to fundraise here soon once we have the design done,” said Carbon CAO Debra Grosfield. “We have a couple designs we’re trying to move forward with it.”
    At the moment the plans for a new pool are in an early stage. The task force is working with the Curling Club and Ag Society to create a new facility that could be utilized by more than one group.
    “We just need all the community organizations in the area in agreement. We want to make sure we’re all on the same page. We want to build a facility that can serve all the different organizations and needs. It’ll be a building everybody can use. You could have outdoor swimming in the summer and curling in the winter,” said Grosfield.
    The groups met earlier in November to discuss the project. A basic design has been settled upon. The pool will remain outdoors, but will be attached to a multi-use facility with a common area, change rooms, and lounge.
    There are no concerns with the current pool, but there are a few areas where the aging pool is lacking.
    “The biggest things is it’s not too kid friendly. All the new pools have zero entry [beach style entry], splashers, and more. Right now, the shallow end is a meter deep. We want to make it more accessible for all ages. There’s a little bit of a slide, but it would be nice to have a diving board,” said Grosfield.
    In addition to the current pool being antiquated in its design, the hope is a new pool will be able to accommodate more users, especially from the Village’s campground.
    “We have been to capacity quite a bit this summer, which is great, but it could be a bit bigger. It would be nice, because our campgrounds are always busy,” said Grosfield.
    For the time being, those involved in the project will be looking for grants to help pay for the project. There is no definite timeline for construction to begin. The Village is hoping to address infrastructure concerns first.

    It appears Albertans are getting in line for influenza vaccines this year.
    Before flu season comes flu vaccine season and Alberta Health Services has been operating influenza clinics in the central region since Mid-October.
    According to Aric Johnson, executive director of communications for Alberta Health Services Central Zone, as of November 3, 306,038 doses of influenza vaccine have been administered across the province, and 34,354 have been delivered in the central region, which includes Drumheller.
    He said it is important to note these numbers don’t include doses administered by physicians during in-office visits, or doses given by pharmacists. These are reported in December and in March.
    “Partner providers deliver a significant portion of our doses each year, and more so this year than ever. We know we have more than 150 new (additional) partner providers immunizing Albertans this year than we did last year, and we expect to see that the doses being delivered by these partners makes up for the current difference in doses being delivered by AHS Public Health so far this year,” said Johnson.
    Pat Doyle of Medicine Shoppe at Freson Bros IGA said he has seen his numbers double over last year. So far he estimates he has delivered about 250 vaccines this season.
    Ray Ainscough at Riverside Value Drug Mart also says his number has increased, however he still feels the overall number are down from last year. He said there has not been as much awareness as last year. Despite that his clinics have been busy.
    Arson Gincher of Shoppers Drug Mart says his numbers are also way up, and many people enjoy the convenience of getting the shots at their local pharmacist. He says typically customers can get the shot anytime during pharmacy hours.
    This year Alberta Health Services has approved the use a vaccine delivered nasally. Alberta Health Services will deliver the vaccine for youngsters who are adverse to needles, from 2 to 17. Ainscough at Riverside value Drug Mart and Gincher from Shoppers Drug Mart also say they are able to administer the nasal vaccine for youngsters starting at age 9.
    Pharmacies at Wal-mart and ExtraFoods are also holding flu clinics. Watch The Drumheller Mail for Alberta Health Services flu clinic schedules.