The Ministry of Education announced plans to modernize J.C. Charyk.
J.C. Charyk School’s mechanical and electrical systems will be upgraded. The school will also be configured to accommodate the addition of K- 3 students from Hanna primary School, which is slated to be demolished," announced the department.

photo courtesy Jackie Gold, Hanna Herald Editor
"We're really excited about the opportunity to invest in rural Alberta," Johnson said.
“This school modernization project reinforces our commitment to invest in Alberta’s families and communities. We are making certain
that students and communities,today and long into the future,have the world-class school facilities they need to learn and be successful,” said Premier Alison Redford about the project.
"Under our Building Alberta Plan, we are working hard to make our education system more student-centred and responsive to the needs
of kids and their communities. Modern facilities are essential to achieving the goals of Inspiring Education and will help ensure that Alberta’s students receive a world-class education," added Johnson.
He said while the ministry didn't like to give an exact budget, for fear of boosting contractor prices, he believed the investment would be "well over $10 million."
He said the school will be "completely modernized and modified to be more suitable."
Board reaction to the news was mixed with returning Chairperson Ed Brinkman noting he was excited about the announcement.
"It is exciting that the provincial government is investing in our children's education," agreed Vice Chairperson Marsha Tkach.
"This will allow us to educate the children of Hanna in a building that is safe and sound, and meets the needs of our community."
Newly elected Hanna Trustee Jada Hill wasn't as sold on the announcement.
"I was very disappointed to hear the news of the JC Charyk and Hanna Primary school amalgamation," Hill said.
"The previous Board approved this motion, and as such there is little I can do to change it."  
"I appreciate the recognition shown by the Minister of the need for funding for our Hanna schools, however I disagree with the purposed amalgamation"
"If it is determined that in the end, this is the only way in which we are to go, I will see to it that the safety and education of our students remain our top priority.  Despite any challenges it is my goal to ensure that the quality education, core values, and learning environment that we have today is  not compromised through this process."
Johnson said the ministry expected work on the project to begin right away, as they hoped to have the building fully done and ready to accomodate kids from both schools by the 2016/17 school year.
photo courtesy Jackie Gold, Hanna Herald Editor

    With no large-scale projects, there weren't any surprises in Drumheller’s 2013 building permit numbers, with permits almost half from the previous year at $5,950,050.
    Director of Community Services Paul Salvatore says “I think in 2013 we had lower than expected building permits issued.”
    “We’re looking into 2014 with optimism.”
    Last year’s total of $11,219,916 included the $1,741,377 for the Town of Drumheller town hall renovation.
    For 2013, the town issued  25 commercial permits totalling $1,601,000.  The town issued a permit to the Quality Inn for $450,000 that included room renovations, the lounge area renovation,  the addition of a breakfast bar, and extending the carport out front.
    Expanding inside storage space at the Drumheller Co-op is the reason for their $450,000 permit.
    There was a single industrial permit issued in the amount of $150,000 for a pump station for utilities for Kneehill County on Town  of Drumheller land near the penitentiary.
    The institutional total of $440,000 includes a booster station upgrade for Kneehill County and two other projects.
    Campus Alberta moved from its previous location to downtown and did some interior renovations on its new location.
    The 7th Day Adventist Church in Newcastle made an addition to provide better access to people with limited mobility.
    Platinum Chemical Solutions holds the single industrial permit of $150,000 for building renovations to include office space.
    The largest single category was in the residential permit sector, totalling $3,759,050.  Projects include eight new home starts, two mobile home placements, three relocated/modular manufactured homes, seven accessory buildings (such as sheds, detached garages), 42 renovations/additions, nine demolitions, and one additional unit to existing units under multi-housing.
    June holds the highest monthly total in the residential sector at slightly over a million dollars for permits issued in the month.
    “There’s about a million less in residential in 2013," Mayor Terry Yemen says.
    “The town was aware of some properties that were going to be developed but weren’t because of the flood and the uncertainty around future development.”
    There were no permits issued in 2013 under the recreational category - the last was in 2009 for a storage building at the Dinosaur Trail Golf & Country Club.