The Drumheller Association of Skateboarding Enthusiasts (DASE) is one step closer to building  a skateboard park in Drumheller.
    At the February 13 meeting of the Drumheller Town Council, a letter from the DASE was presented. The letter asked for the Town for help in securing funding.
    The skateboard park is thought to be a vital need for the youth in the community. The DASE has been campaigning for a new park since the one next to the Aquaplex shut its doors because it was deemed too hazardous.
    “It helps with the youth in the community and gives them something to do during the summer months,” said Trevor Gough, treasurer of the DASE. “In addition, the park would be designed in such a way to allow for other uses such as gardening activities, farmers’ markets, music fests, and as a destination to bring visitors to Drumheller.”
    At the moment, the DASE has managed to raise roughly $100,000 towards a new skateboard park. To get development moving, the group estimates that $500,000 is needed.
     For the remaining funds, the DASE has identified the federally funded Canadian Heritage Building Communities Through Arts and the Heritage Legacy grants. To be eligible to apply, the Town of Drumheller must pass a motion of support for the DASE application.
    Council supported the DASE initiative and now the process of creating and submitting the grant by April 1 begins.
    The DASE also needs direct support from the Town of Drumheller for park space to build a new skate park.
    Locations presented to Council include next to the Rotary Spray Park and across Highway 9 from the Spray Park, along the river by Drumheller Valley Secondary School, and the parking space along Railway Ave E.
    “The one that we want most would be close to the Downtown core where it’s much more visible,” said Gough. “The one by the bridge is the most appealing, because it’s on the main corridor. Our plan to be a destination would be helped by the public traffic flow going through there.”
     The DASE’s fundraising efforts are not over; more support from the community is needed to help make the skateboard park a reality.
    To donate either funds or even volunteer time, contact Gough at 403-823-1212.

    The Drumheller Fields store, which has occupied the Valley Plaza for the last 28 years, will be closing this year.
    This week, parent company Hudson’s Bay Company, announced that it would be closing all of its Fields stores across Canada. This is just a month after it closed 26 stores in Ontario. In all 167 will be closed by this fall.
    “After careful consideration, Hudson’s Bay Company has announced we will wind down our Fields store operations,” said Tiffany Bourré, external communications manager for Hudson’s Bay Company. “We will wind down the remaining 141 store locations across the country in phases, with closures complete by Fall 2012.”
    The Drumheller store opened in August of 1984 in the location, which was previously Vicker’s Grocery.  Currently it has four staff members. Manager Diane Shymanski has been with the store since it opened.
    The Hudson’s Bay Company operates under the banners of the Bay, Zellers and Home Outfitters. In January, it acquired Lord and Taylor Holdings LLC, a US department store. As part of that transaction, Hudson’s Bay Company invested $427 million, which went to reducing Lord & Taylor’s corporate debt.
    “This is a strategic decision by Hudson’s Bay Company to focus on growing our other banners: The Bay, Lord & Taylor and Home Outfitters,” said Tiffany Bourré. “Fields was proud to serve the many communities across Canada where our stores were located and would like to thank all of our customers for their loyalty. Hudson’s Bay Company would like to thank all Fields associates for their dedicated service. “