Christina Hodgson, a Drumheller native, is taking the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conferences (ACAC) women’s hockey by storm. Hodgson is in her third season with the Mount Royal Cougars and was the points leader for the team and league in the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 regular seasons.
    Add to that already impressive hockey resume, Hodgson is the all time assist leader for the (ACAC).
    Christina modestly explained that it’s the team the deserves the credit.
    “Honestly, the reason I’ve been so successful is that the organization has built such a strong foundation. The reason I’ve been so successful is that I have a supportive team,” said Hodgson. “We’ve come a long way and it’s our fourth time in the championship.”
    On March 17, the Mount Royal Cougars, became the ACAC women’s champions, adding another notch on Hodgson belt.
    To top off the end of another great season, Hodgson was named to the ACAC’s all conference team.
    Hodgson was introduced to hockey at a young age and had the help of her parents throughout.
    “It’s great to have that support behind you. It makes it so easy to play the game that you love,” said Hodgson. “I was fortunate enough that my parents drove me all over western Canada to play the game. The friendships, bonds, and the quality time I got to spend with my parents and friends is unbelievable. I hope to do that for my own kids one day.”
    Hodgson was raised in Drumheller and, prior to heading to Mount Royal University to pursue Early Learning Childcare, finished her minor career playing for the Okotoks Midget team.
    Next year, Hodgson and the rest of the Mount Royal Cougars will be moving up to compete in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA), the most decorated in Canadian interuniversity sports.
    “It’s a little more competitive. The scouting is way higher. It’ll be a good transition and a good learning experience. It’ll be fun,” said Hodgson.
    The next season will also be the last that Hodgson will be playing for the Cougars. Hodgson finishes her degree next year, but plans to keep hockey in her life.
    “I think I would like to give back to the community as coach one day,” said Hodgson. “That will be how I stay in the game.”

    Starland County has stepped up to show its support for the Badlands Community Facility with a generous donation.
    Last week Mayor Terry Yemen confirmed the Town of Drumheller had received a donation of $100,000 from the neighbouring municipality for the construction of the Badlands Community Facility. Mayor Yemen said he is appreciative of the support.
    “We are very happy to get that support from our neighbours,” said Yemen.
    Reeve of Starland County, Barrie Hover said the facility is valuable to the community.
    “We have quite a number of residents who do use the facilities, and we try to help all the groups around,” said Hoover.
    He said the facility could have a huge number of benefits for the region at large.
    “We are on the Economic Development committee and it will be tremendous for the whole area,” said Hoover.
    Starland CAO Ross Rawlusyk said they made the donation as a capital contribution. Possible further funding would now be done on a request and review basis, rather than utilizing complicated policy models.
    “In the future if they need money, if they have an issue or are putting together a facility that is benefitting our residents, ‘come and tell us about it, and we’ll try to evaluate how we can help,’” said Rawlusyk.
    He adds that Starland County could also use of such a facility.
    “We could make use of a facility like that for municipal events we get called on from time to time to host, so it is another facility in the region. It is another area we can work with Drumheller too. We can try to draw some of the traditional rural conferences or meetings to the facility,” said Rawlusyk.
    Fundraising Committee chair Jeff Hall is also appreciative of the support.
    “This is a positive step from another community partner outside of the valley,” said Hall.