At the Tuesday, May 14, Kneehill County Council Meeting, council members were presented with a Request for Decision to give second reading to Land Use Bylaws 1895 and 1896, in order to have a Redesignation of Lands in the County for a proposed landfill to be constructed.

Waste Connection of Canada’s Integrated Waste Management Facility proposed for Kneehill County, was met with great opposition from a full house of nearby residents at the Tuesday, April 23, Public Hearing.

Council heard from many members of the public who expressed their concerns of what the landfill will mean for their livelihoods. Including Meagan Metzger, who owns and operates a campground within eye distance of where the proposed landfill would be. “We have a recreational place for people to fish, camp and enjoy nature. We are very concerned about the smell that will be travelling, and we are very concerned about the seagulls as well,” expressed Metzger about how the project would greatly impact her business.

In the end, those in attendance pleaded with council to do the right thing and vote against the second reading.

“This is our decision today around the redesignation, and it is our responsibility to make that decision in a way that not only benefits Kneehill County, but protects the people who live here,” states Kneehill County Reeve Ken King. “I think from my point of view, if we say yes to the redesignation, we are technically saying yes to the landfill.”

“I never got a clear definition when we sat in the Public Hearing to any of the questions, the ones in which came from the 377 letters (received from the public before the deadline) I read,” expressed Councillor Fobes. “I did put myself in the shoes of every single person who wrote those letters because I am affected by it and we are all in this together.”

“So what is the wish of the Council?” asks Reeve King.

Councillor Fobes moves second reading to Bylaw 1895 & 1896 Land Use Bylaw Amendment to Direct Control Districts.

With six votes for no, and one for yes, the motion failed.

“This is such great news! I am very much relieved and a bit surprised,” Metzger tells the Mail. “I was on the fence on how they would vote.

A Drumheller hockey player was recognized by FunTeam Alberta as the 2023 recipient of the Nicky Sereda Outstanding Participant Award.
This award is handed out annually to the participant who demonstrated exceptional dedication to the principles of FunTeam Alberta. Nate Sereda was a strong role model for his peers, demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship and a commitment to trying his best every shift on the ice all season long.
Nate has been registered in the program since 2014 playing 10 seasons of FunTeam Hockey. He’s matured beyond his 14 years and leads by example with a smile on his face, but it is his respect towards everyone he meets that really shines through. Nate also likes to snowboard, and mountain bike and plays a variety of other sports like basketball, baseball and swimming.
FunTeam programming has been in Drumheller for 30 years and is consistently producing stand-up young athletes who strive for the best for themselves, their teammates, coaches and family members.
“We have Group Manager Nicky Sereda to thank for that. His dedication and willingness to promote our organization every step of the way was the reason we named this prestigious award after him. It’s amazing that 30 years later, his eldest grandson will see his name on this award as well as a recipient, following the example set by his grandfather,” states a release from FunTeam Alberta.
“It is fantastic to see FunTeam in Drumheller passed on through the generations. It truly is a full-circle moment. FunTeam Alberta is proud to have such a strong ambassador for our values in Nate leading the way in Drumheller and we are very excited to have him as our recipient. Congratulations Nate.”