đŸ’„ 10K to Nuke the Banff Sign?

Canmore’s New Growth Plan

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Bow Valley Insider
July 11, 2025

Good morning, Bow Valley!

So here’s a question: Should the Banff sign be taken down immediately? The sign is currently set to be relocated this fall (no specific date yet), with $280K budgeted to cover the move and restoration of the current site. But this Monday, council will vote on a motion to spend an extra $10K to take it down now and store the letters. If it passes, the sign could be in storage for a while before (presumably) reappearing at the railway lands later this year. What do you think?

Should the Banff sign be taken down now, even if it means spending an extra $10K?

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THE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN CANMORE, DECIDED

What’s Happening? Canmore’s long-awaited downtown redevelopment plan is officially approved. After years of public consultation (including over 1,300 pages of feedback), council gave it the green light on Tuesday. The final council agenda? A casual 548 pages.

The Big Picture. This 25-year roadmap outlines everything from building heights to stormwater traps, aiming to balance growth, tourism, and livability through 2050. The plan spans from the Bow River to Railway Ave, and from 5th Street to Spur Line Trail, integrating trails, parks, housing, and arts infrastructure into a unified vision.

Notable Changes

  • Main Street stays seasonal. A year-round pedestrian zone was floated but ultimately nixed.

  • Height limits adjusted. Council reversed a proposed cap of 2.5 storeys on Main and 10th, keeping the existing 11-metre limit but encouraging visual softening for third storeys to maintain mountain views and avoid shadows.

  • Eklof Park protected. After community pushback, the green space off Fairholme Drive stays untouched.

  • Parking preserved. No net loss of public parking downtown, and any reduction must be offset.

Next Steps. The plan includes 27 actions, with 7 expected to cost over $1 million. Future phases may include a convention centre, better access to Riverside Park, expanded public spaces, and more housing, especially near Mount Peachee and downtown’s core. Council praised the plan for reflecting community input while staying flexible for future tweaks.

Want to dig deeper? We read the full report so you don’t have to. Check out our breakdown. 

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: 108 RIVERS BEND WAY

Just 10 minutes from downtown Canmore, 108 Rivers Bend Way brings big views, peace and quiet, and 4,300 sq ft of mountain modern luxury. Built in 2018, the home has 4 beds, 4 baths plus a one-bedroom legal suite with its own private entrance, currently bringing in $75K a year in rental income.

Inside, it’s bright and open with vaulted ceilings, quartz counters, and a sleek gas fireplace. Outside, there are two oversized south-facing decks with views you’ll never get tired of.

And if your gear is piling up (or you want to sneak in a garage workout), you’re in luck. The garage was just upgraded with custom storage, brand-new epoxy floors, and plenty of space for your bikes, skis, and squat rack.

Want a viewing? Contact Alex & Lori and follow them on Instagram for more property updates.

*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.

THE DIGEST

  • đŸ˜ïž Housing in Banff & Canmore: Here’s How To Do It. A lot of people ask us how to actually live in the Bow Valley, and housing is always the first hurdle. Finding a place here can feel like a full-time job (with worse pay), but it’s not impossible. From staff accom hacks to Facebook tips and vanlife realities, we break it down in our guide. If you’ve got extra insight, drop a comment to help others out.

  • 🚧 Trail Restrictions Hit Minnewanka. From now until Sept 15, Lake Minnewanka Trail (Stewart Canyon to the East Park Boundary), Aylmer Pass, and Aylmer Lookout are restricted due to a high number of grizzlies and their cubs feeding on buffaloberries. Groups of four are mandatory, bear spray is required, and dogs and bikes are banned past Stewart Canyon. Check here for the map.

  • đŸȘ« Lake Louise Wants In on the Fast-Charging Game. On Wednesday, we mentioned Banff’s plans for super fast EV chargers, and now Lake Louise is following suit. Parks Canada says it’s working with service providers to bring Level 3 chargers to the area. It’ll need some infrastructure work first, but construction could kick off in late 2025/early 2026. Great news for anyone who’s ever prayed their battery survives the Icefields Parkway.

  • ✍ Canmore Artist Pokes Fun at Mountain Life. Amery Sandford’s “Dare to Ride” is part love letter, part roast of her hometown. Through playful sketches and screen prints, the Canmore-born artist explores ski culture, tourism, and growing up in the valley, all with a wink. Catch it at artsPlace until Aug 20. It’s free and the sketches are hilarious. 

  • 🎣 No Fishing Licence Needed This Weekend. Alberta’s Family Fishing Weekend returns July 12–13, meaning you can fish licence-free across the province’s public waters. All other fishing regulations still apply, so read up before you reel in.

BANFF: CARS, NOT PEOPLE, ARE THE PROBLEM

What’s Happening? Banff’s visitor numbers are climbing, and so is traffic. In May 2025 alone, 613,075 vehicles entered town, up 11% from last year and 14% from pre-pandemic 2019. The Victoria Day long weekend saw similar spikes, with Mountain Ave traffic up 10% and bridge crossings up 6% over 2024.

The Real Problem? Cars. Officials say Banff doesn’t have a people problem, it has a vehicle problem. With parking lots at capacity and wildlife corridors disrupted, congestion is changing both the visitor experience and the park’s ecosystem.

Transit Gains, But Pressure’s On. Roam Transit saw a 15.3% bump in ridership this May, equivalent to 62,000 fewer vehicles, but it’s not yet enough to offset rising traffic. The town is throwing everything it can at the issue: signal overrides, more buses, steeper parking fees, and targeted outreach to RV renters and day-trippers.

What’s Next? A 10-year Lead Tourism for Good plan imagines a different future: intercept lots, gondolas, and trains to move people, not just their vehicles. As Mayor Corrie DiManno puts it: “We need to change to stay the same.” Banff’s goal? Preserve the park by rethinking how we experience it.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

  • Free Family Movie. Watch The Spongebob movie: Sponge on the Run, a movie perfect for all ages, with complimentary popcorn! Feel free to wear your comfiest pajamas to get extra cozy. 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Banff Library. Free.

  • Community Swap. Clear out your closet, garage, or bookshelf and find new treasures. Bring gently used items you no longer need and exchange them for something new-to-you. 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM. Canmore Library. Free. 

Saturday

  • Brunch with a View. Smoked salmon boards, five kinds of bennies on fry bread, and prairie berry waffles with a mascarpone foam that tastes way fancier than it sounds. Juniper Bistro keeps it local, tasty, and laid-back with mountain views that make it all even better. Easily one of the best patios in Banff. Make a reso any time.*

  • Car Show. From vintage classics to modern marvels, admire, chat with fellow enthusiasts, and enjoy a great day out in the mountains. 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Exshaw Legion. Registration is $20, and Breakfast is $10.*

  • Miner’s Day Parade. Canmore Miner’s Day honors this rich community heritage with a parade and reunion for the direct descendants, their families ,and friends. The route begins and ends at the Canmore Civic Centre. 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM. Free.   

  • Live Music & Patio Pints. Mike Petroff entertains while you sip in the sunshine at Canmore Brewing Co. A longtime local, Mike’s seen it all, from miners and hippies to the flood, and sings stories of the Bow Valley with heart and grit. 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*

  • Free Concert at the Library. Kick off summer with live music from The Ducks (a talented teen band), free Domino’s Pizza, crafts, snacks, and games. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Banff Library. Free, but please register.

Sunday

  • Breakfast & Brunch in Banff. From banana bread with brown sugar butter to a stacked Ox Caesar and Italian meats, The Fat Ox knows how to brunch. Try the Bison Hash or Florentine Benedict, or keep it classic with a Mimosa and Mountain Breakfast. Brunch is served 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (and it’s one of our fav spots).*

  • Burgers & Beer. Head down to Evergreen for their Burger & Beer Special for just $22. These are super satisfying burgers and perfectly priced. We recommend the Sulphur Beef Burger: two juicy patties, caramelized onions, all the fixins, and a brioche bun that means business. 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Evergreen Restaurant.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • đŸŒ» Bring The Beauty Home. Wendy’s Garden Centre supplies the stunning planters and lush gardens you see around Canmore. Now, you can create your own green oasis with bedding flats, shrubs, and veggie plants. All waiting for you at Roosters Corner (13 Industrial Pl, Canmore).*

  • 🎭 This One Ends in a Jig. Part musical, part East Coast kitchen party. OH, ANNE! brings the classic Anne of Green Gables story to life with flying fiddles, fiery characters, and foot-stomping fun. At Carter-Ryan Theatre now through August 31. Use BOWVALLEYINSIDER for 15% off. Get tickets here.*

  • ❄ Snow in July? Yup. Sunshine Village got a surprise dusting Thursday afternoon, with snow falling on Goat’s Eye just before 12:30 PM. Nothing says summer like packing sunscreen and a parka.

  • đŸ¶ Jade Needs Your Help. This always-smiling rescue pup has lived in pain for most of her life due to an untreated injury as a puppy. Yesterday, the folks at the Bow Valley SPCA dropped her off as she underwent an amputation, and now they’re raising money to help pay for the surgery. Every donation helps. 

  • 🚙 Parking Patrol at Elevation Place. It appears that enforcement has been extra active this week. You’ve got a 4-hour limit while using the gym, pool, or library. So don’t try to sneak in a full workday or a trip downtown.

Attention: Bar, Restaurant, & Cafe Owners

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CIVIC NEWS

  • Council Gives OK For Taller Buildings in Silvertip. Canmore council voted 4–3 to amend its land use bylaw, allowing up to 100 residential units in Silvertip to go from three to five storeys (12 m to 22.3 m). The change keeps the same overall density but builds up instead of out, reducing ground disturbance. Some residents raised concerns about height and “hotel-like” designs.

LIVE MUSIC

  • Friday, July 11th, 2025, 8:30 PM: Maddisun. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. Free. 

  • Saturday, July 12th, 2025, 3:00 PM. Mike Petroff. Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.

  • Saturday, July 12th, 2025, 8:00 PM. ALCHEMY with music performances by: Illustrator, Eirror Music, DMG, and Lethargica. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $15.

  • Saturday, July 12th, 8:30 PM: Maddisun. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. Free. 

SPORTS

  • Running Event at Nordic Centre (Sunday). The Canmore Revolver race is set for July 13 from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM with about 100 runners on course. No trail closures, but expect extra foot traffic on trails like Meadowview, King of Sweden, and Banff. 

That’s all, folks!

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We’ll see you back here on Monday, same time, same place! 

Heads Up: We sometimes feature paid promotion from local businesses and organizations we trust. When you see a little asterisk (*), that means it’s a sponsored post. We only work with partners we think our readers will actually care about.

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