Community Services

The Community Services Department is devoted to providing the community with resources they need. This is done via our special projects and/or the local FCSS. Our goal is to build a resilient community where individuals care for each other. To do this we have developed a Social Development Plan to guide us on the needs of the community and to outline our priorities. Some of the needs of the community outlined by the Social Development Plan are affordable housing, education on substance abuse/addiction, public safety, and child care. Each month we send out a Newsletter to build the connection between community members and programs.

Early Childhood Development Centre

Early Childhood Development Centre is an accreditated Centre and as a result parents are able to receive subsidy support for their childcare fees; the only childcare facility in town that offers this. There are spaces for 83 children ages ranging from 12 months to 12 years and offers quality childcare in a play environment.

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Family Day Home Agency

The Family Day Home Agency will provide parents the opportunity to place their child in a regulated day home. That means that each Day Home Provider will be held to the very highest standards the CFSA has for childcare.

Affordable Housing

The Provincial government has been letting Albertans know that affordable housing is important by offering grant initiatives available to municipalities to develop affordable housing. The Town of Drayton Valley has recently purchased 18 units for affordable housing and is in the process ofstarting Phase III, the creation of four three-bedroom fourplexes and two barrier-free two-bedroom duplexes.

If you or someone you know requires affordable housing and has a full-time job please call 780-542-2732 for an application. If you have any comments or questions please call 780-542-2204.

Rotary Branch Library

As the name suggest, a branch of the public library has been built down by the Omniplex. It is attached to the new Holy Trinity Academy. Our hope is that by having it positioned in the hub of youth and adult activities it will increase the traffic and interest in the library.

Mackenzie Conference Centre

The new Mackenzie Conference Centre will be linked to the Omniplex and will be able to provide space for 416 people in a dining setting and 522 people in a lecture setting. Once it is opened to the Curling Rink Lounge it will have a maximum capacity of 624 in a dining setup and 842 in a lecture setup. It has the ability to be divided into two sections in case you want to separate your functions, allowing for two different activities to occur simultaneously. Another example for using the divider is for a wedding; use one half for the ceremony and the other for the reception. Each section will have access to the kitchen, and portable bars creating a more flexible floor plan for your event. Finally, the Makenzie Conference Centre will also have modern audio and visual technology.

Eleanor Pickup Centre for the Performing Arts

The old Cardium Theatre has been revamped becoming the Eleanor Pickup Centre for the Performing Arts. It is being managed by the Eleanor Pickup Centre for the Performing Society and hosts several events such as, plays, performances by local bands, and FCSS’s Halloween Haunted House.

For more information about the centre call Marty Prentice at 780.542.5740; for bookings call Vi Koehmstedt at 780.542.4050.

Canada Day

GOAL: To create an inexpensive event for the whole family.
RESULT: Canada Day has become the biggest event in the community that encourages the family unit and by being inexpensive it has become truly inclusive, it doesn’t matter what your background or financial standing is, everyone enjoys same experience.

GOAL: Highlight the talent of the community.
RESULT: Every chance available is taken to book local talent; we also recognize the growing diversity of the community and invite these groups to perform, creating a very festive event that showcases the culture of the community.

GOAL: To give back to the Community.
RESULT: Canada Day has lent itself as an excellent way to build partnerships with the organizations, groups, and businesses within the community. It is an amazing thing to say that over the last two years we have partnered with 17 community organizations, 15 of which are eager for the next year!

“My family and I were really impressed at the variety of activities you had at the park. Honestly, I don’t think you could have found anything better happening in Edmonton!” – Laurel Hawkswell

“This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our organization!”

Block Party Resources

A block party is a large, informal celebration in which many members of a single neighbourhood congregate. Block parties are not only a fun and easy way to get to know the people in your community, but they are also a great way to build and reinforce neighbourhood and community security.

The Community Services Department is pleased to provide residents with a resource kit that will help you plan your own block party. FCSS has stepped in to make it even easier to through a Block Party by contributing $150.00 for food. If you have any further questions, contact Community Services at 780.514.2223.

 Drayton Valley Block Party Resource Kit

DARE

The community of Drayton Valley and the RCMP support the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. DARE is a drug abuse prevention and education program designed to educate elementary, middle and high school children about the consequences of abuse. It also teaches them skills for resisting peer pressure. DARE involves schools, police and parents. For more information call 514.2200.

MENTOR CONNECTOR RESPONSE TEAM

The Town of Drayton Valley, through its Social Development Plan, is working with collaborating partners to develop the framework to create a “Mentor Connector” Response Team for the community. The RCMP Detachment and Family and Community Support Services have joined on as Strategic Partners in this effort and several local agencies are providing their input and assistance to generate the parameters of the program.

The proposed “Mentor Connector” Response Team is a Community-Police Partnership Project that will specifically target youth-at-risk in our community. The main objectives of the initiative are two-fold:

1. The initiative will put in place a qualified individual to serve in the capacity as a “Mentor Connector”, where youth-at-risk are connected with the resources (whether that be a person, a group, a business, a program or otherwise) that will motivate them to follow a productive path in life.
2. The Strategic Partners will work with a Collaborating group of local agencies to assess, implement, monitor, and evaluate the “Mentor Connector” Response Team. The Collaborating group will use the research techniques available to guide the initiative to achieve maximum results and positive outcomes. This group will promote a comprehensive approach to crime reduction within the targeted youth-at-risk group.  

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