The fundraising efforts for the Badlands Community Facility got another boost Tuesday morning.
    The Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce delivered its third $50,000 installment to the BCF Fundraising Campaign.
    The donation is part of the Chamber’s $250,000 commitment to the facility and two more $50,000 installments will be delivered in the next two years.
    “We will continue on with our annual payments. The last one will be in 2014 to fulfill our $250,000 commitment,” said Heather Bitz, general manager of the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce.
    With the commitment, the Chamber of Commerce is one of the facility’s top sponsors.
    “We’re proud to help out in such a big way. We’re happy to see the facility up and operational. It’s a great new component to our community. I’ve used it and it’s fantastic. We’re looking forward to using it next year when we host the 2013 Alberta Chambers of Commerce provincial conference and policy session. We’re really looking forward to having it and showing the facility off to Alberta,” said Bitz.
    BCF fundraising campaign chair Jeff Hall hopes the donation will help build the momentum needed to move forward.
    “It’s an amazing facility and the usage is great. It’s something we need to continue to support,” said Hall. “It’s great to receive it [the donation]. Hopefully, when it’s visible in the community like this, it will remind people the importance of finishing the fundraising efforts.”
    To date, the fundraising campaign has received roughly $3.3 million in donations and commitments since campaigning began several years ago.
    “To date, in excess of 60 per cent has been received. There’s still a ways to go,” said Hall.
    Moving forward, the fundraising campaign will be pushing the Legacy Patio brick campaign, where residents can buy a brick and have a name inscribed on it, whether it be theirs or in memory of someone who has passed away.
    “There’s going to be a community focus, especially with our brick campaign. That’s the largest thing right now. We’ll probably see a few more events take shape over the next year and we’ll continue attempting to attract those larger donors as well,” said Hall.
    For more information on how to purchase a brick or donate to the BCF Fundraising Campaign, call Heather Little, marketing and events coordinator with the BCF, at 403-823-1333.

Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce president Ed Mah (left) and general manager Heather Bitz hand Mayor Terry Yemen and Jeff Hall, fundraising campaign chair for the Badlands Community Facility, a cheque for $50,000. The donation was the third installment of the Chamber’s $250,000 commitment to the BCF.