Gas plant restoration put on hold

Refurbishment of the Turner Valley Gas Plant has been put on hold due to restrictions placed within the provincial government.
Originally the project was funded $5 million in 1999 under Alberta Community Development and completion was anticipated for Alberta's Centennial in 2005. However, the Alberta Community Development fund is now on hold.
The gas plant was in operation until 1985 and has been declared a federal historic site. Turner Valley Gas Plant employed many people living in the Foothills area.
The restoration of the Turner Valley Gas Plant included an interpretive centre, which was to be located in the old lunch room and full restoration of the other buildings on the plant site. The land reclamation has been started.
Tours will continue to operate (May to September) out of the town office in Turner Valley, with the presentation of a video and then a guided tour of the plant itself. The History Channel was out filming a future documentary on the Turner Valley Gas Plant.
During the 2001-2002 year, the Sheep River Driving Tour signs project almost came to completion. Due to Alberta Transportation regulations, three of the locations (Little Chicago, the Black Diamond Coal Mine and the Mercury Plant) still need approval. For information and maps of the Sheep River Driving Tour, please contact the Turner Valley town office.
The Turner Valley Oilfields Society is holding a membership drive and looking for new projects. Lifetime memberships are available for $10. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at the Turner Valley Town Office at 7: 30 pm. The annual general meeting will be held June 6 at the Flare ‘n' Derrick in Turner Valley.
For further information please contact Jim McCreary at 933-5155.
The Turner Valley Oilfields Society is dedicated to the restoration of the Turner Valley Gas Plant as well as other significant historical landmarks in the Turner Valley, Black Diamond, Millarville and Longview areas.

From, the OKOTOKS WESTERN WHEEL, May 29, 2002