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“Gladiatrix” movie slated for next summer in Valley

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After a busy season of filming in the Drumheller area, plans are already being made to continue this trend next year.

Drumheller and area has served as a backdrop for a number of motion picture projects over the last year. There has been everything from independent productions to Netflix series.

One group that was here as independent will be back this summer with a new production, this time with some studio backing.

Griffin Cork of Numera FIlms was here this summer shooting “Abracadavers,” a web and television based comedy. He tells the Mail that this coming summer, “Gladiatrix: Crescent Moon” will be shot in Alberta, and will feature Drumheller.

“The entire film will be shot in Drumheller from June 1 - July 15. We selected Drumheller because of the beautiful landscapes which perfectly match those in the screenplay and novel, but yeah, we are filming the entire feature film in Drumheller.” said Cork.”Personally, from the experience, Numera Films had nothing but a perfect time in Drumheller with Abracadavers, which did not surprise us.”

The Gladiatrix screenplay is written by Shaun Donnelly and is based on a novel by author Cynthia Vespia. Edmonton-based TV and film studio Mind Engine.

Entertainment has signed a deal with Hollywood Media Bridge to produce the film.  According to a press release, Hollywood Media Bridge is located on the Universal Pictures lot and has secured studio distribution for the film which will be directed by Calgary director Sandi Somers.

  Cork says their experience in the valley was positive. They worked closely with John Barry Graham on “Abracadavers.”

“We had some of our crew members that had worked on previous productions out here (like The Northlander) that stayed in the exact accommodations that put us up and raved to us about accommodating the people and the community of Drumheller. And that was the same experience we had. The restaurants and bars our team frequented were warm and open, and our lodgings were just luxurious. We had spent so much time in motels across the province, and Drumheller was such a step up,” said Cork.


Kettle campaign kicks off

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The Salvation Army kicked off it’s kettle drive this morning, just in time for the holiday season. The annual campaign is their biggest fundraising campaign of the year. There will be kettles manned by volunteers at Freson Bros., Extra Foods, and Walmart from now until Christmas Eve. Captain Ben Lippers, volunteer Pam Earl, Freson Bros. manager Darryl Jacques, Mayor Heather Colberg, and the Army’s Janessa McAuley got together to kick off the campaign.

Tax incentive bylaws drafted by town

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The town is working on a pair of bylaws which would provide tax incentives for new businesses and ones moving into vacant buildings.

Draft bylaws were presented to council at their meeting on November 13 which would waive municipal property taxes for new businesses in town for their first year, subject to administration’s approval. In addition, businesses who move into buildings vacant for a minimum for three months could see development and business license fees waived.

The bylaw comes from recommendations of the Economic Development Task Force and were brought to council by councillor Fred Makowecki. The move is part of a number of projects and initiatives from the town to attract and retain businesses to Drumheller, including upcoming bylaws such as ensuring businesses along the tourism corridor are clean and tidy, changes to the storefront improvement grant for downtown businesses, and the installation of the summer plaza and public artwork downtown.

“There are so many other things percolating that are tied together,” says councillor Makowecki.

The rationale behind these draft bylaws is to bring more business to Drumheller, which increases the tax base, creates more reasons for people and other businesses to move here, and also gives new businesses with assistance in their first year of business, which is often the most difficult.

“If taxes remain exactly the same, we’re going to keep the existing businesses and residences to fund the operation of the town. The only way to affect that, is by looking at the budget and microscopically look at expenses and also look at incentives to bring more tax base to town. That means more jobs, more places to go shopping, and make Drumheller more attractive for people to move here.

The municipal property tax waiver would come in effect for the year following completion of construction. Additions, expansions, and renovations would be eligible only if the assessed value of the new improvement is greater than or equal to $50,000 more than the previous improvement assessment.

The bylaws received feedback from council at the meeting and are expected to be brought back at a meeting this month.


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