Articles

Project completion deadline expected to be summer of 2011

Monday, 11 April 2011 15:39 |

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

Rail & Parks Update

Monday, 04 April 2011 00:00 |

East Central Alberta Heritage Society approved through the Canadian Badlands Ltd., partnered with the Federal Government and Western Economic Diversification Canada to receive $2.6 million to re-lay rail between Stettler and Donalda and another $732,000 for the development of up to seven “Natural Linear Parks”.
As part of the funding conditions ECAHS must raise $400,000.00 in cash and/or acceptable gift-in-kind of materials or services to the Donalda - Stettler rail project and $60,000 in support of the “Natural Linear Park” project. Both projects must be completed by the spring of 2011. The deadline for accepting the fund and the attached conditions is April 15, 2010.
Alberta Prairie Railway agrees that it will operate excursion trains to Donalda when the line is rebuilt.
Met with Village of Donalda council to discuss arrangements that will allow ECAHS to reconstruct rail line and siding on station grounds owned by the Village. Arrangements are currently being made to grant a 99 year lease on rail rights of way through the property.

Rail Line Fund

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 00:00 |

The East Central Alberta Heritage Society needs your help to fund raise matching dollars for our Rail Line Project to replace the rail line from Stettler to Donalda.

Please use the form to the right if you would like to give a donation.
(Sorry but we can't accept donations of less than a loonie or we will lose money on the transaction fees.)

Other forms of payment available

Send a cheque or money order to:

East Central Alberta Heritage Society Rail Line Fund
P.O. Box 13
Stettler, AB, T0C 2L0

Please make out payment in full to East Central Alberta Heritage Society as banks will not accept wording ECAHS.

Thank you.

To use a credit card by phone: (403) 742-3997

Also see the Contact Us section for further contacts.

Letters of Support for our Rail & Parks Projects

Tuesday, 11 May 2010 00:00 |

East Central Alberta Heritage Society has already received significant support from local municipalities, organizations and businesses for its Rail and Natural Linear Parks projects. Here's what some of our supporters are saying:

Honorable Jack Hayden, Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, MLA Drumheller-Stettler Constituency in a letter to CN and CP

"As Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Drumheller-Stettler, I support a request that I have just received from the working committee of the East Central Alberta for their Rail Reconstruction project..The Society is awaiting approval by CN and CP to give them full access so that they can enter into the bid process for materials such as rails, rail ties and associated requirements. Your imminent response to their request is appreciated. Do not hesitate to call me, if there is anything I can do to speed up their request so that they can begin their community project."

Stettler Regional Board of Trade

"The East Central Alberta Heritage Society has a proven track record of preserving the history of Alberta's railways along with providing considerable economic benefits to communities within the Central Alberta area. *This group has a significant effect on Central Alberta's tourism industry by providing the necessary infrastructure that allows Alberta Prairie Steam Train Excursions to operate their steam train. East Central Alberta Heritage Society has the opportunity to improve this infrastructure by leading an endeavor that will have the railway reinstalled from Stettler to Donalda. This opportunity will be a definite asset to all of Central Alberta by providing more venues for the preservation of our railway and pioneer heritage and will further strengthen the draw of International and closer to home visitors to a very unique first class experience."

Village of Donalda

"Since the rail was removed from the Stettler - Donalda line in the late 1990's, Donalda's commercial base has been virtually eliminated. As well, the absence of rail prevents the Village from benefiting from tourism operations such as Alberta Prairie Steam Tours. The Society's project to return the rail line and to build linear parks will provide many new opportunities for economic development in Donalda and greatly enhance local tourism development."

Mayor of Stettler, Dick Richards

"Like most communities in our area the Town of Stettler has experienced a decline in our local economy specifically in the energy sector with the down-sizing and outright closures of some of our major employers. Therefore any endeavors that will provide new opportunities to increase our economic base have our Council's full support. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your endeavor to enhance tourism in our community."

ATCO Electric

"ATCO Electric is pleased to confirm our contribution of $2,500 to the East Central Alberta Heritage Society for the Stettler to Donalda Rail Project. As discussed ATCO Electric would be interested in providing work in kind services for this project"

Village of Big Valley

"As discussed at our last Council meeting the Village of Big Valley has agreed that we support your railway endeavors and the building of linear parks in Donalda and Big Valley."

Your Help Is Needed

Monday, 25 January 2010 11:25 |

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.