The Town of Drumheller hopes to help historic buildings in Drumheller, such as the Navy League building, access provincial funding through the long-awaited Heritage Resource Bylaw. Recent events have resulted in the bylaw being pushed back, but it is anticipated the finished draft will be ready in the fall.
Drumheller residents hoping to restore their historic properties will have to wait just a little longer to be eligible for funding from the provincial government.
The long awaited Heritage Resource Bylaw is expected to be brought before Drumheller Council late this fall.
“We’ve got so many other things that have come forward on the agenda. For now it’s on the back burner, but I’m anticipating it will come out in the late fall,” said Paul Salvatore, Director of Community Services for the Town of Drumheller.
Staff are working on the move to the new Town Hall. At the moment they are investigating similar bylaws in other communities, which either create separate bylaws for each heritage resource or creates an all-encompassing bylaw that is amended each time a new resource is added.
“I’ve done some research on other communities on what their bylaws look like. Generally speaking, I want to create a bylaw that is as easy to administer as possible,” said Salvatore. “It’s definitely a worthy project, but has been simmering for awhile.”
Some owners have been waiting a long time for the bylaw to be finished.
“Three years ago, it was supposed to be an 18-month process. My building is on the list with the other properties worthy of being promoted as historical properties. Over the years, we’ve done most of the recommendations to our building, but there are quite a few others who need the resources a lot more,” said Mike Todor, owner of Fine Photography.
Heritage designation from the Town of Drumheller would allow property owners to apply to become an Alberta Heritage Resource and be eligible for funding for restoration. Fifty properties were identified in the Heritage Inventory.
“Once the bylaw is passed and a building designated, it does put some restrictions on the owners. The main precept of the committee was to preserve these buildings,” said Councillor Tom Zariski, who participated in the Heritage Inventory. “There were properties where the owner decided not to be a part of the list, which is a shame, because they can do whatever they want with the building and even tear it down.”
Some of the sites that are being considered for heritage designation include Dinny the Dinosaur, the Midland Train Bridge, Navy League Building, Central School, and multiple properties in downtown.
After the first 50 are designated, more properties are being considered to also be named heritage resources.
However, before more properties are added, the bylaw has to be passed by Council.
“I’ve talked to a number of people who have some pretty neat plans for their buildings, but can’t do anything yet,” said Zariski. “It’s unfortunate we can’t push things through a little quicker.”
