Economic hardships and challenges had no negative effects on the number of development permits issued in 2021 by the Town of Drumheller and show continued confidence in the local economy.
A total of 85 permits were issued in 2021-up from 79 in 2020-and included 30 commercial, four institutional, and 51 residential amounting to over $5.33 million.
“We saw as much activity as 2019 in all areas of building,” said Drumheller Chief Administrative Officer Darryl Drohomerski. “We are pleased to see the rebound after COVID hit everyone hard in 2020.”
Permits issued between 2019 and 2021 remained fairly consistent, with a total of 81 permits issued in 2019, 79 in 2020, and 85 in 2021; however, total construction value declined significantly in 2020, from $5.4 million in 2019 to $2.85 million in 2020.
Between May and June 2020 a total of 36 development permits were issued, valued at over $406,000. While there were only 20 permits issued during the same period in 2021, the total construction value was over double the previous year at some $958,000.
Construction values returned to near pre-pandemic levels at a total of $5,335,045.32 in 2021-shy some $65,000 from the 2019 values.

Leading up to Christmas, the Drumheller FunTeam Hockey Club hosted their 28th Annual Christmas Benefit Games in support of the 2021 Salvation Army Christmas Hamper Program.
In total 10 teams took part in 5 games consisting of this season’s 102 players to make these games a reality. Games were won, lost & tied but the real winner was the Salvation Army who received 833 lbs of non perishable food items valued at $2,166 all to help the Christmas Hamper Program!
Players were asked to raise their own money to use for the purchase of their food donations in an effort to experience the true meaning of giving!