It’s been a long wait.
    Residents had heard that by the end of August 2011 they would be in the Badlands Community Facility.
    When that time frame came and went, it was changed to the end November. Then the end of December. Then by the end of February.
    But, the light is now at the end of the tunnel. The Town of Drumheller has officially announced the new opening date of the facility as March 12, 2012.
    “We are excited to announce the opening day. A lot of hard work and patience from volunteers, staff, and the community will finally be realized,” said Guy Latour, business manager of the facility. “It’s going to have a huge impact on the community and we can’t wait to unveil and showcase it.”
    The vast majority of construction is complete, only minor work in the library, banquet hall, and kitchen remains to be finished.
    The Town of Drumheller began joint occupancy in the building nearly a month ago and have since been busy assembling furniture and equipment, and training on the different aspects of the building.
    “The staff are excited,” said marketing and events officer, Heather Little. “There is some work left to be done in terms of training, but they’ll be ready by March 9.”
    March 9, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., residents who pre-purchased their memberships will get to redeem their certificates and tour the building.
    “It gives the members who have pre-purchased the extra value of not having to wait to do redeem their certificate and to tours through the building,” said Little.
    On March 10 and 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, the building will be open to residents to purchase memberships, tour the building, and participate in a wide range of different activities.
    Residents can also get a sneak peak at the building on March 7, between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., during the Sports, Recreation, and Arts Expo.
    The expo is the place to see what the community has to offer in terms of activities. Residents can browse and sign up for over 40 different activities.
    “It’s a valuable event to host,” said Little. “It allows all the organizations in the valley and area to come together and show what experiences they have to offer.”

    An accident on February 23 at 10:15 a.m. at a gas lease 80 km northwest of Whitecourt had a tragic end, resulting in the death of a 47 year old male from Delia.
    Scott Duncan Headrick, a well supervisor, was overseeing the removal of tanks from a well site that had just been completed.
    A nearby flatbed truck reversed, unaware that Headrick was behind, and pinned him against a storage tank.
    Whitecourt RCMP and EMS responded to the accident, but could not revive Headrick and pronounced him deceased at the scene.
    “We are devastated by this tragic loss. Our deepest sympathies are with Mr. Headrick’s family and loved ones,” said Glenn Gradeen, president of Tango Energy, a privately owned gas exploration and production company based in Calgary.
    The gas lease, owned by Tango Creek Energy, is currently under investigation by Alberta Occupational Health and Safety.
    RCMP will not be pressing any charges on the driver of the truck.
    Headrick was born in Red Deer and had lived in Drumheller between 2003 and 2008. Headrick and his family then moved to and were residing in Delia at the time of the accident.