Unofficial word coming out of Canadian Badlands Ltd. is that the deadline for completing East Central Alberta Heritage Society’s two major projects, the Cando Construction Way rail reconstruction project to Red Willow and the development of five Natural Linear Parks, has been extended to the summer of 2011.

The funding for these projects, which comes from the Government of Canada’s Community Adjustment Fund under the Canada Action Plan, will end at March 31, 2011, but East Alberta Heritage Society will likely have until August 31 to complete work on its projects. Given that ECAHS expenditures on these projects already exceeds the funds

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be a part of an important community initiative? The East Central Alberta Heritage Society might be a right fit for you.

In addition to its on-going programs and support for various community heritage programs, the East Central Alberta Heritage Society has embarked on two very ambitious capital projects, relaying of rail to Donalda and the development of Natural Linear Parks.

The society has recently hired, on a contract basis, Bruce Gartside of Donalda.  Bruce will be assisting with project administration and implementation. Bruce is a retired businessman with a wealth of experience dealing with the private sector, volunteer organizations and interfacing with government. Bruce can be reached by phone at 403-883-2943 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Plans to relay rail on existing rights of way from Stettler to Donalda and to develop a series of Natural Linear Parks is funded in the most part by the Government of Canada’s Community Adjustment Fund and supported by Canadian Badlands Ltd. Linear Parks will be developed only on those parts of rail rights of way that do not have nor are likely to include rail in the near future.