This week, Raptor Ridge RV Resort, a new Drumheller recreational community, officially broke ground on its 325-acre site located on the north side of the Red Deer River escarpment off Highway 576.
Following a three-year collaborative application process, engaging with Palliser Regional Municipal Services (PRMS), the Town of Drumheller, the Drumheller community, and technical experts, Raptor Ridge's development builds on The Town’s reputation as a staycation destination.
Every summer, the Dinosaur Capital of the World welcomes tourists from all over, looking to experience the world-famous Badlands, the "World's Largest Dinosaur," and the internationally renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum. With many Albertans looking to stay safe and close to home once again this summer, Raptor Ridge is set to fulfill the high demand for RVing while also bolstering the local tourism industry and economy.
"Our team has worked diligently to ensure Raptor Ridge not only protects The Badlands and supports the local community but also provides an opportunity for local and regional tourism growth for years to come," says Daniel MacGregor, Senior Planner with B&A Planning Group. "Having collaborated with the Town, Palliser Regional Municipal Services, and the greater community over the past eight months, we are confident that Raptor Ridge will be a resort community that everyone – owners, guests, neighbours, the Town, and the region – can be proud of."
From the initial concept, the Raptor Ridge Team has strived to ensure the new three-season RV Resort addresses all needs. First and foremost is the development not being visible from the valley but also includes protection of The Badlands, minimizing environmental impacts, ensuring a safe development, providing fully serviced and titled RV lots, and enhancing the property with recreational amenities.
In support of the local economy, Raptor Ridge is employing local businesses to facilitate the development of the lands, including a local surveyor and earth-moving company. Widespread economic benefit will be seen as people take occupancy of their sites and build decks, sheds and become part of the local community.
The Raptor Ridge RV Resort will develop about 88 acres of the 325-acre site, protecting the majority of the land, including the entire Badlands escarpment, in its natural state. A 26-acre Municipal Reserve dedication will be accessible to the public from the Red Deer River. At full build-out, the community will be home to 420 RV lots and a series of amenities including a heated pool, day park with picnic area, walking and biking trails, kids’ playground, and "dinosaur dig", a zipline, and more.
The RV lots will be built over four phases of development. Phase 1, with 150 lots and several key amenities, is currently under construction and anticipated to be ready for its first owners later this year. For more information about Raptor RV Ridge Resort, visit www.raptorridgeresort.ca.

A Drumheller man feels happy to be alive and is extremely grateful for the health care system in our community and Alberta.
“I would like to say how good our health care system is. AHS was sure awesome for me, that’s for sure,” Darrell Berlando told the Mail when sharing his ordeal. In days he went from going about his everyday life to being rushed to Edmonton for an emergency procedure that saved his life.
Earlier in the year, he noticed he was getting frequent heartburn, and on Thursday, February 18, it struck again, only this time it was persistent.
“I was in a meeting over the computer, and it kept getting worse and worse and wouldn’t go away, it was a burning at the top of my chest,” he said.
He went home, and his wife Laurie took one look at him and insisted they go to emergency. Within five minutes of walking in, he was in the ER and quickly began blood work and an ECG. They also sprayed nitroglycerine under his tongue.
“The fastness and efficiency at which they worked, there was no time wasted at all,” he said.
Dr. Ibrahim Moshood was the attending physician and by 6 p.m., Berlando was feeling better and his blood work looked normal. The doctor insisted he stay until later in the evening to retest because sometimes it takes time for the incident to show up in the blood work. At 10 p.m., he was tested again, and it indicated there were still issues.
In the morning, he was tested again, and it was determined he had a heart attack and was taken to the Red Deer Hospital. On Saturday, the doctor in Red Deer said he needed an angiogram. One of his arteries was blocked at 85 per cent. It turns out that Dr. Moshood had the foresight to book him for the procedure in Edmonton on Monday.
“On Monday morning, went from Red Deer to Edmonton to the Royal Alexander Hospital where I saw the most well-oiled machine I have ever seen in my life,” he said.
He said the medical team went in and took a picture of his heart that showed the blockage.
“So now I got a picture of my heart, so if someone tells me I’m heartless, I can show them this picture,” he said.
He said in less than 45 minutes the procedure was complete, and he had a stent in his heart.
He was taken back to Red Deer, and in less than 24 hours, he was checked out and on his way home.
Today he is doing well and is taking his health more seriously. He chose to talk to the Mail because he was impressed with the quality of service and professionalism he experienced in the health system, from contact to completion.
“From as soon as I walked into the Drumheller Hospital until I was released from the Red Deer Hospital, our health service was unbelievable,” he said. “With all the bad news and how everybody badmouths everything. I have complained about my taxes for years, but then I thought this little episode probably ate up most of the taxes I paid over the last decade.”
“Every nurse and doctor or nurse I dealt with was amazing, and I couldn’t ask for better care.”