A fire that razed a church near Beiseker early Wednesday morning has been deemed an arson.

 A release from the Airdrie RCMP notes that a fire investigator was called in to investigate the fire at the Beiseker Level-Land Seventh Day Adventist Church concluded the fire was deliberately set, and the RCMP is investigating.

The Rockyford Fire Department was called at approximately 6:24 a.m. on Wednesday, December 20, to the fire on Range Road 242. The church, built in 1945, is located about three kilometres west of the Highway 9 and 21 intersection, and south a kilometre. 

“Once we got on scene, the building was fully engulfed. The fire department maintained and protected other structures around it,” said Firefighter Darcy Burke. “ It was a total loss.”

 The Rockyford Fire Department was supported by the Rosebud Fire Department, Wheatland West Fire Department, and the Dalum Fire Department. There were about 30- 40 firefighters on the scene at the height of the fire. Crews remained for more than 11 hours to tend to the scene. There were no injuries. 

“We had church parishioners coming on scene and were visibly shaken by the loss of their church. It is a pretty tight-knit community, and it is something they hold very dear to their heart,” said Burke. 

“It is sad to see a community lose its church and even worse at this time of year.”

The RCMP is now investigating and is seeking public assistance.

If anyone has any information regarding this arson, please contact the Airdrie RCMP at 403‐ 945‐7200, or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1‐800‐222‐8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play,

The Rails to Trails project received a huge boost as Canalta pledged $150,000 to develop trails.
The announcement was made at the second annual Rails to Trails Christmas Party at the Badlands Community Facility on Saturday, December 16.
Marketing Manager for Canalta Ryan Semchuk said it was an easy decision for the company to support the project.
“We have been watching the project for quite a while and not just our ownership but the whole company is excited about the opportunity of being able to have that trail experience from the Last Chance Saloon, all the way out to the Royal Tyrrell Museum… We felt especially given the business level and the way it has been since pre-pandemic, life has come back to a pretty good place in the accommodation sector, so we are really excited to allocate these funds to hopefully push this project a little bit closer to completion,” said Semchuk.
He sees benefits to the community in the development.
“It will help with the overall quality of life in Drumheller. It provides accessibility, being able to explore some of these areas we have never been able to explore before,” he said.
“Drumheller as a destination has continued to evolve in a really positive direction,” said Semchuk. “But looking at 2023 into 2024, tourism growth has been amazing here and being able to offer that not just to the local residents but also the visitors coming here to experience a world-class trail system,” he said.