Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce has two new board members.
The Chamber held its annual general meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, March 28 at the Badlands Community Facility.
Jeff Hall of Meyer Norris Penny, and Mike Bell of Western GM exited the board. Martina Morrison of Riverside Value Drug Mart let her name stand for directorship.
She was joined by Jennifer Dixon of RBC and Tammy Dettrich from Grace House Centre for Recovery, who were acclaimed to the board.
The Chamber had a strong year and welcomed 25 new members. Its total membership held strong with 245 members.
Last year, with public restrictions removed, it saw the return of many Chamber-involved events, including the Celebration of Excellence, Festival of Lights and Small Business Week activities.
The Chamber was also involved with the Drum Discovery customer service training program and, with its partners the Town of Drumheller and Community Futures Big Country, disbursed $37,000 to 12 local businesses through the Building Enhancement Grant.
The World’s Largest Dinosaur and Visitor Information Centre (VIC) also had a stellar year. In 2023 the World's Largest Dinosaur saw a record-breaking 141,199 visitors, a 47 per cent increase over the previous years. The Visitor Information Centre also saw a dramatic increase, counselling 33,873 people, a 33 per cent increase over 2021.
The year also ended in a strong financial position for the Chamber, with an excess of revenues over expenditures of $350, 686.
It was able to contribute to its Community Fund and Legacy Fund as well as its WLD Captial repair fund.
“The work of the Chamber of Commerce is not necessarily exciting or fraught with dramas, but it is important work and this year the Board and staff worked to ensure the longevity of our organizations and our asserts through the revamping and modernizing of our bylaws, seeking new technology and tools for our VIC in the form of Digital VIC and ensuring that Tyra, The World’s Largest Dinosaur, will continue to stand for as long as possible,” said Deana Hannem in her President’s Report.

A healthy crowd came out on Saturday night, April 1 to celebrate African culture at the first annual Festivalley. The Drumheller Area Health Foundation hosted the fundraising event in support of the Drumheller Health Centre. Since its inception in 1994, the Foundation has raised over $5 million to purchase new and modern equipment to serve residents in need at the hospital. The event featured food, drinks and appetizers with a South African flair as well as entertainment from One World Drum Co. Starland County Councillor and Health Foundation Board Member Jacqueline Watts addressed the crowd.