Town of Drumheller 2026-2029 Strategic Plan

YOUR COUNCIL

“It is with much excitement and pride that Council introduces to you Drumheller Valley’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan. Drumheller is one of the most unique communities in the world, and we want to continue to honour that.

Within this document you will see that Council has shifted our priorities to focus on our residents first, truly emphasizing what we heard on our campaign trail this past election season.

Our community has an exceptional balance of rural charm and urban amenities, characterized by welcoming and caring neighbours along with a rich history that sets us apart from others. As we take a moment to appreciate where we’re at, we’re also excited about our future. This Strategic Plan serves as a blueprint for our future, building on the groundwork established by previous Councils. It will shape the decisions of Council over the next term.

While Drumheller is well known for our dinosaurs, we also celebrate our diverse history and unique character. We support innovation to create opportunities that enable sustainable, ongoing growth and success for us all.

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with this plan, celebrate the range of opportunities ahead of us, and invite you to come along and get involved in the future.”

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Drumheller provides an experience unlike any other. Nestled along the banks of the Red Deer River, the Valley captivates with its striking badlands landscape, distinctive neighbourhoods, and deep layers of both natural and human history. Drumheller is a community shaped by its rich heritage and the people who proudly call the Valley home. Over the coming years, that story will continue to evolve. With its abundance of natural and cultural assets, a thriving historic downtown, modern amenities, and an active, engaged community, Drumheller is a great place to live, do business, and play.

By 2031, Drumheller’s population is projected to grow from approximately 8,100 to 9,050 residents. This steady growth is supported by a strengthening local economy, driven by tourism, small business, manufacturing, and emerging sectors. These factors are key to attracting new residents, workers, and investment. While growth will be gradual and modest, it will bring new energy, new neighbours, and new demands for housing, infrastructure, and services.

The 2026-2029 Strategic Plan will serve as a road-map for the Town of Drumheller Council and Administration over this term, outlining the vision for the future, how its goals will be achieved, and the priorities that will guide decision-making. This Plan is an essential foundation in identifying the issues that matter most to our community, allowing the Town of Drumheller to prioritize resources where they will have the greatest impact.

The Strategic Plan is a dynamic document that will be regularly consulted, amended and updated as needed to meet the needs of the Valley. Acting as the filter for evaluating existing and proposed initiatives, the Strategic Plan informs all municipal decision-making processes, including the adoption of municipal budgets, business plans, and service levels. As partners in building a thriving community, we invite residents to provide feedback on this living document and engage with us in shaping the future of the Valley.

We recognize that a strong and resilient community is built through open dialogue and shared ideas. We welcome questions, feedback, and input from residents, businesses, and partners as we move forward together.

To keep you informed, we commit to sharing regular progress updates. Quarterly reports will be presented to Council and made available to the public, along with a comprehensive annual report highlighting our achievements.

MISSION

To create a healthy, thriving community by providing sustainable services, promoting economic growth, and preserving our uniqueness.

Council’s mission is to create a healthy, thriving community by delivering sustainable services that meet the needs of residents today while planning responsibly for the future. They are committed to fostering economic growth by supporting local businesses, encouraging investment, and further diversifying our economy.

At the same time, Council strives to preserve the Valley’s unique character, natural landscapes, heritage, and identity while ensuring that growth and development enhances what makes Drumheller distinctive and valued by those who live, do business, and play here.

OUR CORE VALUES

Council is guided by a core set of values that shape how decisions are made and how the municipality serves its community.

They are essential because they establish a shared foundation for governance, strengthen public trust, and ensure that all decisions align.

These values will continue to inform future decisionmaking by acting as guiding principles, helping to prioritize policies, bylaws, investments, and respond to changes within our community in a way that reflects Drumheller’s identity and long-term vision.

Respect

We treat all individuals with courtesy and respect.

Voice

We value the right of all citizens to participate in the decision-making process.

We are committed to the responsible use of municipal finances and resources. Stewardship

We are committed to making decisions in an open, transparent and accountable manner. Open

We believe in working collaboratively with all stakeholders and partners. Connection

Exploration

We embrace innovation and creativity.

STRATEGIC PLAN STRUCTURE

How will the Strategic Plan be put into action? Each of the Town’s four (4) pillars are supported by intents, priority initiatives, and associated timelines.

Pillars

Broad priority areas that reflect Council’s highest-level focus for the term. These pillars represent the key themes that guide decision-making and resource allocation based on community needs and Council’s vision for the future.

Intent

High-level statements that describe what Council aims to achieve within each pillar. They articulate the desired direction and outcomes, providing clarity on the purpose behind each priority area.

Priority Initiatives

Specific actions, projects, or programs that will be undertaken to achieve the strategic intents within each pillar. These initiatives translate strategy into concrete steps and are generally led by Administration.

Together, these elements translate Council’s vision into measurable actions and desired outcomes, helping to guide the community toward its long-term direction.

Strategic Pillars

STRATEGIC PILLARS

Council has chosen four (4) focus areas, or strategic pillars, which will be the objective of this Council’s term. These pillars were selected based on the current and future service needs of the Town and from residents’ feedback heard by Council during the election in the Fall of 2025. All four (4) areas are important, however they are listed in order of priority.

For each pillar, Council has outlined what they desire to achieve over their term. These goals will guide important decisions, ensuring that each one supports a strong, healthy, and successful future for Drumheller.

Providing Sustainable Services

Developing a Healthy & Thriving Community

Promoting Sustainable Economic Growth & Development

Celebrate Our Uniqueness

Drumheller ensures municipal services are sustainable, predictable, transparent and supported by a resilient organization and long-term financial planning.

Drumheller will deliver infrastructure, services, and partnerships that support health, safety, mobility, recreation, and overall quality of life for residents.

Drumheller will foster a resilient, diversified, and business-friendly economy aligned with infrastructure, capacity, and community expectation.

Drumheller’s unique cultural, natural, and historical assets will be protected, promoted and integrated into community life and economic development.

Providing Sustainable Services

Drumheller ensures municipal services are sustainable, predictable, transparent, and supported by a resilient organization and long-term financial planning.

StrategicIntents:

P.1.1. - Services are sustainable, predictable, and transparent.

P.1.2. - Staff are supported, trained, and retained.

P.1.3. - Financial and capital asset decisions are long-term and data driven.

Priority Initiative Highlights:

Create and establish clear municipal levels of service for all departments and programs Establish next-generation online resident service portal

Complete a wholesome review and enhancement of the Human Resources Program

Create and establish an effectual Infrastructure Life Cycle Management Program

Priority Initiative Highlights:

Evaluation and enhancement of the water and wastewater utility management systems

Developing a Healthy & Thriving Community

Drumheller will deliver infrastructure, services, and partnerships that support health, safety, mobility, recreation, and overall quality of life for residents.

StrategicIntents:

P.2.1 - Infrastructure that supports health, mobility, and recreation to create a safe and connected community.

P.2.2 - Decisions that impact daily quality of life for residents are guided by strong community partnerships.

Adoption and implementation of the 2025 Fire Services Review Action Plan including a fire flow system assessment

Continued advocacy for sustainable Red Deer River water quality and supply management

Implement public participation plan(s) to explore community-based solutions for aging infrastructure

Promoting Sustainable Economic Growth & Development

Drumheller will foster a resilient, diversified, and business-friendly economy aligned with infrastructure, capacity and community expectation.

StrategicIntents:

P.3.1 - Promote a diversified economy.

P.3.2 - Growth that is aligned with infrastructure, capacity, and community expectation.

P.3.3 - Foster a business-friendly environment.

Priority Initiative Highlights:

Complete an Economic Development Strategy and implement associated Action Plan, including advancing development incentives and business retention strategies Review and update the Business Licence Bylaw Creation and establishment of a municipal Land Management Framework

Complete review and update of the Land Use Bylaw

Priority Initiative Highlights:

Continued advocacy of the provincial government for tourism development and management support

Celebrate Our Uniqueness

Drumheller’s unique cultural, natural, and historical assets will be protected, promoted, and integrated into community life and economic development.

StrategicIntents:

P.4.1 - Foster stakeholder partnerships that build on the Valley’s recognition as a year-round destination.

P.4.2 - Arts, culture, and heritage are integrated into public experiences.

Continued support of Drumheller Valley community events that celebrate who we are

Successful renewal of the Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICF) with our neighbouring rural municipalities Development and implementation of Culture and Heritage Element Design Standards

VISION

The Drumheller Valley will be a vibrant, safe, and healthy community.

Council envisions Drumheller as a vibrant, safe, and healthy community where residents and visitors can thrive. This vision carefully balances what success looks like: a community that is lively, economically active, secure, well-managed, and will prioritize our residents’ well-being.

The Town of Drumheller’s Council and Administration are committed to the successful delivery of the Strategic Plan through shared accountability, collaboration, and respect for our core values.

Working as one cohesive team, we align our efforts with the community we serve, supported by dedicated volunteers and organizations that make our Valley unique.

Guided by a spirit of consistency and integrity, we are committed to working together to ensure Drumheller remains a great place to live, work, and play, today and into the future.

To connect with us, please contact the Town of Drumheller at info@drumheller.ca.