The Drumheller Resiliency & Flood Mitigation Office (Flood Office), in tandem with Wilco Contractors Southwest Inc and Pidherney’s Construction Inc, will be pausing construction of the Midland, Newcastle, Willow Estates, and Grove Plaza berms until the Spring of 2023.

Construction will be paused during the winter months due to snow, colder temperatures and frozen ground conditions. These unfavourable conditions affect the workers, construction equipment and the construction materials needed, making the work either much more costly or making the required design specifications unattainable. Extra costs for winter work involve cleaning up the construction sites from snow or frost, storing equipment to shield them from the elements, and warming up equipment and materials to use in extreme weather conditions.

Areas under construction will remain closed to the public over the winter months. Residents are asked to adhere to site signage and fencing and stay out of these areas.

Wilco Contractors Southwest Inc. has provided the following information as it pertains to the Midland, Grove Plaza, and Willow Estates Berm Construction Projects:

Construction fencing will be left up as the areas will remain a designated construction site. Some stockpiled material that is required for work in the Spring of 2023, such as riprap and equipment, can be expected to remain on-site throughout the winter months, along with some equipment.

The pathway detours in Midland will remain in place for the winter, and pathways on the berm top will remain closed.  The pathway near the Grove Plaza berm on the northeast side of Gordon Taylor Bridge is currently open and will remain open until work restarts in the spring of 2023.

All stormwater drains have been left in operating condition, and silt socks have been installed to prevent sediment transport to the Red Deer River. 

Wilco will be returning in the Spring of 2023 to finish the construction of the Midland, Grove Plaza, and Willow Estates Berm Construction Projects.

Pidherney’s Construction Inc. has provided the following information as it pertains to the Newcastle Berm Construction Project:

Construction fencing will be left up as the area will remain a designated construction site.

The dog park and area to the east of the SE baseball diamond will be closed over winter and the entrances are blocked by concrete barriers. The temporary no-parking zone along 10 Street W has been removed and parking will be permitted again in this area.

Access to the berm is also blocked off with concrete barriers to prevent access by cars or snowmobiles during the winter. Access to Newcastle Beach will remain open.

There is equipment that will remain in Newcastle Park during the winter months and all equipment is fenced off for safety and security purposes. Residents are asked to stay out of fenced areas and ensure that children are kept out of these areas for their safety. 

All stormwater drains have been cleared, and silt fencing and silt socks have been installed to prevent sediment transport to the Red Deer River. 

Pidherney’s will be returning in the Spring of 2023 to finish the construction of the Newcastle Berm Construction Project.

The Town of Drumheller and Flood Office will perform spot checks on all construction sites throughout the winter months. Should you have any concerns about the construction sites over the winter, please call the Flood Office at 403-823-4878.