On Jan. 6, 2024, at approximately 11:45 p.m., Drumheller RCMP, Emergency Medical Services and local Fire Departments responded to a 2 vehicle head-on collision on Hwy 9 near Range Road 214, west of Drumheller. Preliminary investigation indicated that a pickup truck and a car collided on the highway. The driver of the car, a 39-year-old male resident of Drumheller, was pronounced deceased at the scene, and the female passenger of that car, a 33-year-old female resident of Drumheller, was taken to hospital via ground ambulance. The driver of the pickup truck, a 50-year-old male resident of Strathmore, was taken to Drumheller Hospital with non life threatening injuries.

After an extensive investigation, and with assistance from the RCMP Collision Reconstructionist and RCMP Criminal Collision Investigation Team, on Nov. 19, 2024, Drumheller RCMP arrested 50-year-old Sean Powell, a resident of Strathmore. He has been charged with the following:

Impaired operation of a conveyance;
Operate a conveyance over 80 mg/%;
Impaired operation of a conveyance causing death;
Impaired operation of a conveyance causing bodily harm;
Operate a conveyance over 80 mg/% causing death;
Operate a conveyance over 80 mg/% causing bodily harm;
Dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death;
Dangerous operation of a conveyance causing bodily harm;
Refuse to provide a breath sample causing death; and
Refuse to provide a breath sample causing bodily harm.

Powell was also subject to Alberta Immediate Roadside Sanctions which included suspension of drivers licence. He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in the Drumheller Alberta Court of Justice on Dec. 20, 2024, to answer to the charges.

The number of people calling the Town of Drumheller home has grown by 2.67 per cent over a five-year period, and the Town is preparing for expected continued growth.
According to the Alberta government website, the population of Drumheller grew from 8,171 in 2019 to 8,430 in 2023--a growth of 2.67 per cent, and a year-over-year growth of 2.28 per cent from a population of 8,242 in 2022.
“Population growth is a good thing, because it enables local businesses to find the people they need to expand,” said Town of Drumheller communications officer Erica Crocker in an email. “It also helps with investment attraction, as new business coming to Drumheller and surrounding area need talent. Additionally, new residence also support the commercial businesses in town, which helps with having more services locally.”
In March 2023, the Town completed its Housing Strategy, and this growth is in line with this document, which projects the Town could see between 8,528 and 8,614 residents by 2026, and upwards of 9,032 residents by 2031.
As the population continues to grow, additional pressures will be placed on the Town’s existing infrastructure, such as water and wastewater services. This pressure is expected to be further compounded by increasing tourism to the Drumheller Valley.
“The Town has great land inventory with serviced lots for both residential, and commercial expansion. There are also private options for people and companies considering a move to town,” shares Ms. Crocker.
She adds there have been “several housing builders” who have been active locally this year. The Town’s Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB) have both undergone changes within the last three years which has allowed some flexibility for different developments within Drumheller. This includes the addition of secondary suites, mix-use and high density properties.
Master plan documents for the Town’s water and wastewater services have also been developed in preparation for a growing population. This includes planning for underground services such as sanitary services over the course of a 25 year period.
Population numbers do include some inmates at the Drumheller Institution according to the Alberta government; however, not all inmates currently serving at the Institution are included in these numbers, and a breakdown of how many inmates were included in this count was not available.