Monkeying around
A student at Big Rock School jumps down
the Super Slide at the school's annual Family Fun Night on Friday.
The event included a dunk tank, face painting, cake walk and numerous other games.
photo by John Barlow
Significance of Turner Valley gas plant not lost
on World Petroleum Congress delegates
By John Barlow
Staff Reporter and Sports Editor
While the focus of the World Petroleum Congress
is the future of the oil industry, 70 delegates took time to revisit the industry's
historical past on Sunday in Turner Valley.
Delegates from around the world toured the Turner Valley gas plant on Sunday morning
not wanting to miss a chance to see what many consider the birthplace of Canada's
petroleum industry.
'This was definitely an opportunity to see the history of Alberta and Turner Valley,'
said Ahmed Al-Arbeed, of the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company.
Although many of the delegates had never been to Canada before, the significance
of the Turner Valley gas plant was not lost to those who participated in the tour.
'Technology has come a long way,' said Ibrahim Ahmed Shtewi of Libya's Repsol Oil
as he looked at some of the old buildings. 'But I gained a lot of history of where
the industry started in Alberta.'
Allan Bowman, a former employee at the gas plant, gave the delegates a tour and described
not only the intricacies of the large facility, but also relayed some of the memorable
tales of the plant, those who worked there and its place in the history of the foothills.
In 1914 William S. Herron began buying up land along the Sheep River and his new
company, Calgary Petroleum Products, began exploring for the source of the gas seepages
along the bank of the river.
Legend has it natives lit the ground on fire near the site for campfires. One story
has a settler igniting the soil and cooking bacon and eggs over the flames.
On May 14, 1914, under the guidance of driller A. W. Dingman, Calgary Petroleum Products'
exploratory well struck sweet gas eventually leading to an oil boom in the area and
putting the town of Turner Valley on the map.
'I want to give (the delegates) a feeling of what this plant has meant to the town,'
said Bowman of the tour. 'It was the heart and soul of the community. It is very
important to me and the others who grew up here. There would not be a Turner Valley
if it were not for this plant.'
Ralph Toon, a Canadian delegate on the tour, said he recalled growing up in the 1930s
seeing the flares from the Turner Valley plant from his home in Calgary.
'It was like Dante's Inferno,' reminisced Toon. 'My father would bring me out to
watch the flaring. It is nice to come back and visit again.'
At one time the plant employed as many as 200 workers and the facility was renowned
for ground-breaking advances in the collection and processing of oil and gas.
The Turner Valley oilfields boasted Canada's first sour gas scrubbing unit (1935),
propane plant (1949) and one of the country's first sulphur plants (1952).
'Everything we have learned about the processing of gas started here,' said Michael
Vigdorchek representing a Texas firm. 'The quality of the equipment is amazing. It
is important to everybody (to preserve the site).'
The site remained operational until 1985 and is the only one of its kind remaining
in Canada.
In 1996, the Turner Valley gas plant was designated a National Historical Site as
a symbol of its significance to Canada's early petroleum history.
AHSFA fate questioned with personnel shuffle
By Gillian Beckett
Staff Reporter
One student's message summed up the general consensus of those who attended a
discussion on the future of the Alberta High School of Fine Arts (AHSFA) in Okotoks
-- 'If it isn't broken, why fix it?'
On June 8, concerned parents and students of AHSFA held a forum with Foothills School
Division representatives to discuss the fate of the school after it was announced
that AHSFA founder, Foothills Composite High School vice-principal Elaine McDougall
will be transferred to Highwood High School in High River this fall.
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'I think a lot was accomplished (at the meeting). This gave us as clear an understanding as we could get. It was an opportunity for us to express to the (FSD) our passion for (AHSFA) in light of the change.' --Tony Webb executive of the AHSFA school council, |
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McDougall is set to be replaced by Highwood vice-principal Cathy Dodds while FCHS
principal Mark Butcher will be replaced by Dr. Morris Gibson School principal Harry
Morrison. Butcher will be heading to C. Ian McLaren School in Black Diamond as principal.
During the forum, parents and students questioned FSD board representatives about
the purpose for the administrative transfers and if the AHSFA will be compromised.
Superintendent Jim McLellan explained that the transfers are necessary in order to
strengthen the division and that the AHSFA would not be compromised by the transfer
of McDougall.
'This is an administrative decision,' said McLellan. 'The changes that were made
is part of a continued effort to ensure a strong system. This is not about anyone
not measuring up, all administrators are capable administrators.'
'These changes cause concerns,' he added. 'But looking back at the history of changes,
we've seen a result (in) success.'
Despite McLellan's explanation for the transfers, many parents and students were
not satisfied and wanted clearer assurance that McDougall's transfer would not mean
the end of AHSFA.
'The transfers seem like it will strengthen other schools in the division and weaken
ours (FCHS/AHSFA),' said one parent.
'Without leadership, what hope is there to continue as a school,' added another parent.
'This is a concern that is everywhere tonight.'
McLellan reassured parents and students that both Butcher's and McDougall's replacements
will be beneficial to FCHS/AHSFA.
'The team coming here will make sure programs continue,' said McLellan.
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In this issue... Opinion Editorial Paul's Place News Sports Classified Ads Real Estate  Turner Valley says good-bye to landmark See News  Hogan crushes track record See Sports |
'I am excited about the challenge of working in a new school,' he said. 'I feel torn (about leaving Dr. Morris Gibson School) but I'm looking forward to (FCHS/AHSFA).'
Dodds echoed the same outlook on her transfer to the high school.
'I am excited about going there (FCHS/AHSFA),' said Dodds. 'I will definitely miss Highwood and the kids but all good things generally happen with change.'
While many questioned the fine arts qualifications of the replacement principal and vice-principal in ensuring the quality of AHSFA remains, the one question that remained on everyone's minds regarded the finality of the transfer decision.
'The decision has been made,' said associate superintendent Jay Pritchard. 'From an administration point of view, the decision has been made.'
Although many parents left the forum clearly unsatisfied, many other parents and students remained to talk with McLellan, Pritchard and division chairperson Carolyn Kaiser.
Tony Webb, executive of the AHSFA school council, expressed that overall the forum addressed some concerns parents and students had.
'From what was perceived before the meeting, there wasn't a clear understanding of the reason for this transfer,' said Webb. 'Seeing (McDougall) go and not having all the facts made it very difficult to come to a decision and move on.'
'I think a lot was accomplished,' he added. 'This gave us as clear an understanding as we could get. It was an opportunity for us to express to the (FSD) our passion for (AHSFA) in light of the change.'
Despite being in the 'hot seat' for most of the evening, Pritchard said he was impressed with the level of discussion that took place.
'The parents and students of AHSFA expressed their views and a need for a strong administration -- they had a lot of questions,' said Pritchard. 'It has never been our intent to shut AHSFA down.'
He added that there is an appeal process for administrators if they feel the need to appeal.
In addition to the transfers, C. Ian McLaren school principal Shirley Crawford will be replacing Karen Wesley as principal of Joe Clark School in High River.
Wesley will be replacing Morrison at Dr. Morris Gibson School in Okotoks.
