The Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce (DDCC) has recently restructured its World’s Largest Dinosaur (WLD) Legacy Fund. While the fund will continue to collect 15% of WLD admissions and giftshop sales on a monthly basis, the focus of the fund has shifted. A portion of the Legacy Funds will now be used to support economic development initiatives in partnership with the Town of Drumheller. Remaining funds will be set aside for the continued maintenance of the World’s Largest Dinosaur and to investigate options for WLD 2.0.

For 2019, the Chamber of Commerce will invest up to $22,000 of Legacy Funds to collaborate with the Town of Drumheller on various economic development opportunities that both partners view as mutually beneficial to the business community and the Town. The first project being the blade signage program. Through the Legacy Fund, the DDCC will cover half of the cost of the structural engineering fees associated with mounting the blade signs. As well, the Chamber of Commerce will cover the Town’s development permit fee for any Chamber member wishing to install a blade sign. Together the Town and Chamber of Commerce were able to secure preferential pricing on the blade signs through Garry’s Welding by agreeing to purchase 10 signs upfront.

DDCC President, Jeff Hall states “The Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with the Town of Drumheller on economic development initiatives for the advancement of our community. By directing a significant portion of our Legacy Funds to these types of activities, we feel that as a Chamber we can have a much larger impact on our business community.”

Since its inception in 2005, the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce through the WLD Legacy Fund has invested $617,000 into the Drumheller region. Of the total, $367,000 was dispersed to 35 non-profit organizations, including the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site, East Coulee School Museum, Drumheller Minor Soccer, Kaleidoscope Theatre, Rosebud Theatre and Drumheller Off Road Vehicle Association to name a few, for a variety of capital projects. The remaining $250,000 was donated to the Town of Drumheller for the construction of the Badlands Community Facility.

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For more information, please contact:

Heather Bitz, Executive Director
Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce
403-823-8100
h.bitz@drumhellerchamber.com