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Community benefits from $845K CFEP grants

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Over $845,000 of funding from the Community Facilities Enhancement Program (CFEP) was doled out to local projects last year.
The Alberta government released a report of these projects last year, and 271 across the province were funded, investing more than $42 million.
“​​Investments in key spaces in our communities not only support new activities and programming but uplift residents and build stronger communities. Our government’s investment recognizes the critical role we can play in enhancing local community spaces where many Albertans come together, from hockey rinks and playgrounds to libraries and museums, said Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women.
In the Drumheller area last year five projects were funded, with a total of $845, 318.
The Mail reported the Midlandvale Community Hall Association was successful in its application for $656,369 for its outdoors accessible rink project in its January 3 edition.
The project will be Drumheller’s first fully accessible community outdoor rink, and the second to be built in Alberta. It will be NHL size, with a fully accessible viewing area and skate shack, available to the general public year-round, as a recreational space for winter and summer sports. As well as a gathering place for tournaments and community events.
The Mail also reported on the completion of the Dalum playground in October of last year. The Community Association secured $94,793 to complete the project. The new amenity will be great for community groups that use the hall for events, and provide a safe place for kids to recreate. It has accessible elements that allow for youngers with mobility issues and access for wheelchairs. The site has a woodchip base for safety.
Other recipients include the Drumheller and District Museum Society, which operates the Badlands Historical Museum. It secured $52,199. President Louise Henrickson explained that funds will be used to complete their roof repairs. Some of the funding will also be used for flooring and updating the lighting.
She says they are grateful for the grant and it will help secure the future of the facility.
Other recipients include the Rosedale Recreation Society, which has been busy updating its community hall and the site. It received $25,813.
The Homestead Museum also received $26,244 for its facility.
The CFEP small stream supports smaller projects with up to $125,000, while the CFEP large stream supports projects with funding from $125,000 up to $1 million. CFEP requires matching funding that is equal to or exceeds the funding amount provided by the province.


Hanna Council pens letter of nonsupport for solar project

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Concerns about a possible solar project in the Town of Hanna has prompted the Town Council to write a letter of non-support to the developer.
The council made the motion at its December 12 meeting. It was moved by Councillor Warwick that “the mayor provide a letter of non-support to PACE Canada LP for their proposed solar farm development (Harvest Sky Solar).”
PACE Canada LP has been working on developing a solar project near the Hanna airport. The Harvest Sky Solar Farm is a 21 MW installation proposed to use a 360-acre site north of the Ag Centre and airport. The technology boasts a reduction in carbon emissions and could potentially remove over half of a million tonnes over the 30-year life of the project. It could provide local construction jobs as it is being built, as well as 2-3 operations and maintenance equivalents over the life of the project.
There have been concerns from the community prompting the council to write the letter.
“The glint and glare,” Mayor Dan Povaschuk said is a concern. “This will be the first solar project that will be built this close to an unmanned airstrip.”
He noted that the council had concerns about an emergency response plan and communicating this with emergency services in the community. It does have a draft Emergency Response Plan on its website.
“It is a lot of little things. There was nothing glaring, just a lot of things,” he said, noting that there has been a segment of the community that is not supportive and has been outspoken.

Royal Tyrrell enjoys record breaking year

Royal Tyrrell Museum

For the second year in a row the Royal Tyrrell Museum had over half a million people explore through the dino exhibits. In 2023, over 526,000 visitors paid admission to the prehistoric museum, surpassing the 2022 record of 501,000 attendees by over 25,000.
August long weekend is generally the busiest day of the year for admissions, with this past year being no different. 6,745 guests visited the museum on Saturday, August 5, 2023.
On Thursday, October 5, 2023, a massive Triceratops skull was added to the “Fossils in Focus” exhibit. It is considered to be the most complete and best preserved Triceratops skull in Canada. With over seven years and 6,500 hours of careful preparation, the 69 million year old specimen is a must see for all who love dinosaurs.

Jason Martin, Director – Operations & Finance, for the Royal Tyrrell Museum tells the Mail: “All staff and committed supporters of the Royal Tyrrell Museum contribute to our growing visitation. The Museum’s commitment to renewing our permanent galleries, expanding our offerings like senior programming and adult events help us engage a diverse audience to ensure that there is something for all ages at our facility.”

Amanda Ragsdale - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter


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