💰 741 Tickets at Quarry Lake

Good morning, Bow Valley!

A few of us are taking today off to enjoy our backyard. So if you’ve got a story tip, a question, or simply feel like trolling our inbox, apologies in advance: we’re probably not answering. We’ll be back at our desks Sunday if you need us.

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Brendan Nogue, Alexia Chambers

QUARRY LAKE PARKING PROBLEMS PERSIST DESPITE 741 TICKETS THIS SUMMER

What's Happening? Parking problems at Quarry Lake aren't exactly disappearing. Between June 1 and Aug. 13, Canmore Municipal Enforcement issued 741 parking tickets at Quarry Lake, plus another 83 along Spray Lakes Road, as residents question whether enforcement alone is actually changing behaviour at one of Canmore's busiest recreation areas.

Most People Simply Didn't Pay. Of those 741 tickets, 509 were issued for failing to pay for parking, despite the Town adding clearer signage explaining when payment is required and what isn't allowed. The August long weekend alone produced 108 violations.

Here's Where The Math Gets Interesting. Peak-season parking costs $20 every two hours, while the fine for not paying is $90. So a stay longer than eight hours can cost more than the ticket itself.

The Town doesn't track how long ticketed vehicles stay, so there's no evidence visitors are deliberately taking that gamble. But longtime Canmore resident Lorna Hartley questions whether hundreds of tickets are actually changing behaviour.

"If people are willing to risk a $90 ticket to spend the day there... then clearly we need to ask whether the strategy is actually changing behaviour," she said.

Locals Get A Break. Canmore residents receive three free hours at Quarry Lake each day, a perk used 8,759 times between June 1 and Aug. 12. Beyond those three hours, however, residents pay the same rates.

And It's Not Just About Parking. Hartley said other locals she's spoken with have raised broader concerns about emergency access, water safety, garbage, wildlife attractants, overcrowding and environmental impacts.

Those concerns also surfaced during the Town's public engagement for its updated Open Spaces and Trails Plan, which will guide how Canmore manages parks, trails and recreation areas long-term. While more than 80% of respondents rated the town's parks at least seven out of 10, some said popular spaces are "too busy during tourist season" and "almost impossible for locals to access," with Quarry Lake specifically flagged for overuse.  

Could Things Change? Maybe. 

Read our full story

ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED PARTS OF THIS DEVELOPMENT ISN’T INSIDE THE UNITS

Altitude is the new condo and townhome development going up in Three Sisters, but interestingly, one of the biggest selling points isn’t actually inside the homes themselves.

It’s everything around them.

The development will eventually include a municipal reserve with a park and playground on the northwest side of the property, connected directly into the Bow Valley pathway system. Meaning you can walk or bike out your door and connect into one of the region’s biggest trail networks almost immediately.

There’s also a private residents-only spa facility planned with a hot tub, sauna, outdoor firepit, and change area.

And then there’s the setting itself. Altitude sits in a unique pocket of Canmore with broad views across the Bow Valley and toward the Cascade mountain range that feel noticeably different from a lot of other parts of town.

Of course, the homes are what get people in the door. Condos currently start from $544,900, while townhomes under construction start from $1.165M + GST.

But once people tour the area, a lot start paying attention to the lifestyle around the development too.

You can now tour all 4 show homes by booking a private showing here.

_{*Presented by Logel Homes.}

THE DIGEST

• 🐐 Aggressive Mountain Goat Relocated From West Bragg Creek. Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers tranquilized and relocated a mountain goat after it became aggressive toward residents, pets and responding officers at a West Bragg Creek property. When officers tried to haze it away on July 27, the goat stood its ground, stomped and moved toward them. The animal was safely relocated to nearby mountain goat habitat. The province told us that encounters like this are rare, with goats typically sticking to higher-elevation alpine terrain during summer. See pictures of the goat.

• 🚲 New Kids Bike Trail Coming to Canmore’s Millennium Park. The Town and the Canmore Area Mountain Bike Association are building a 300-metre single-track trail designed for kids five and under using balance bikes, small pedal-free bikes that help children learn to balance before moving to a traditional bike. The trail will feature different surfaces and obstacles to help build basic riding skills. The association is funding construction and maintenance, while the Town is providing the land and support. Construction started Aug. 17, with the trail expected to open by the end of August. Here’s the mock-up and where the new trail will be located.

• 💸 Woman Fined $1,500 After Viral Banff Bear Encounter. Remember when we reported on the off-leash dog that repeatedly approached Bear 142, the daughter of Banff’s famous “Boss” grizzly, on the Taylor Lake trail? There’s now an update. One of the hikers pleaded guilty Wednesday and was fined $1,500. The woman apologized in court for what she called a “lapse in judgment.” Three people on the trail had reported the off-leash dog to park wardens, who later found the viral video and identified the couple. 

• 🏘️ Banff Temporary Housing Program Suspended. A program that helped 155 people facing homelessness in Banff last year has been suspended after losing a key source of funding. YWCA Banff’s Project Home provided four rooms where people could stay for about three weeks while staff helped them find longer-term housing. The program costs roughly $300,000 annually and had already been running at a deficit before losing $75,000 in yearly funding. YWCA Banff is now seeking new funding to reopen. 

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CANMORE ESTIMATES JUNE FLOOD COSTS AT $2.1 MILLION

What's Happening? Canmore's June flood is expected to cost about $2.1 million in emergency response and repairs, with Alberta expected to cover 90% of the bill. But the storm also delivered some encouraging news: officials say the Cougar Creek debris-flow dam faced its first major real-world test and helped prevent a "much worse" event downstream.

What Will Canmore Actually Pay? Council unanimously approved $2.13 million for flood recovery, including about $232,000 for the emergency response and $1.9 million for repairs, debris removal and damage assessments.

The province is expected to cover 90% through its disaster recovery program, leaving Canmore responsible for roughly $213,000. Provincial funding hasn't been formally approved, but town officials say they're confident it will be.

Remember That Rain? Roughly 138 mm fell across the Cougar Creek and Stoneworks Creek watersheds in less than 24 hours on June 28 and 29. Conditions deteriorated quickly enough that Canmore declared a State of Local Emergency, issued evacuation alerts, evacuated one property near Stoneworks Creek and closed several roads and pathways.

Despite the intensity, emergency management director Caitlin Miller said the flooding largely followed the Town's modelling: "Cougar Creek did what we thought it would do."

The $48-Million Dam Got A Real Test. Built after the devastating 2013 flood, the Cougar Creek debris-flow dam faced its first major real-world test in June. About 22.7 cubic metres of water per second moved through its outlet, equivalent to a 1-in-50-year flow, while the structure captured an estimated 5,000 cubic metres of sediment and woody debris.

"There's strong evidence that the investment in the structure is protecting the community downstream," engineering manager Zabrina Pendon said.

Miller put it more directly: "It would have been a much worse event if we did not have that structure in place."

There Was Still Damage. About one kilometre of Cougar Creek downstream from the dam eroded, protective concrete matting was damaged and both road approaches washed out. An interim Stoneworks Creek berm also diverted water away from inhabited areas and will now be rebuilt.

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Oh, Anne! Opens Tonight in Canmore. Carter-Ryan Theatre’s Oh, Anne! kicks off a limited Canmore run tonight, reimagining Anne of Green Gables as a fast-paced musical with an East Coast twist. Four actors take on dozens of roles, backed by Maritime-inspired music, plenty of comedy and a whole lot of energy. The show runs Aug. 21 through Sept. 6. Carter-Ryan Theatre, Canmore. Tickets and showtimes.*

Saturday

• Calgary Author Natalie Sue Signing Books in Canmore. Award-winning author Natalie Sue will be at Café Books signing copies of her new novel, You’ll Love It Here. The Calgary-set book follows a woman whose life implodes before she reluctantly takes over as superintendent of her apartment building and gets pulled into the lives of her neighbours. Sue’s debut novel won the 2025 Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour. 12:00 PM-4:00 PM. Café Books, Canmore. Free. 

Sunday

• Come Cheer on the Next Generation of Rock Stars. Calgary’s School of Rock students are taking over The Drake for a live performance, putting all those rehearsals and music lessons to the ultimate test: a real audience. Expect young musicians playing rock favourites together as full bands, and come ready to make some noise for them. These kids have put in the work, so let’s give them a proper Canmore crowd. 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The Drake, Canmore. Free.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🔖 Save 20% on a Fall Stay at Emerald Lake Lodge. If you’ve been waiting for an excuse for a shoulder-season getaway, Emerald Lake Lodge’s Early Explorers offer knocks 20% off stays between Oct. 11 and Dec. 17. Depending on the dates, that can bring rooms from around $337 to $270 per night. Think fireplaces, hot tub and sauna, good food, and a much quieter time of year in the mountains. Book by Sept. 10 to get the discount. Our publisher, Ben, already snagged himself a night, so maybe you’ll catch him in the sauna.*

• 🔥 Alberta Hits Zero Active Wildfires in August. Here’s a stat we haven’t seen in a while: Alberta recorded zero active wildfires in its protected forests this week, the first time that’s happened in August in 40 years. Cooler temperatures and all that rain we’ve had are getting much of the credit. For comparison, Alberta had 47 active wildfires at this point last year. 

• 🥾 Hike for the Cure Reaches the Bow Valley. After walking more than 1,000 kilometres since July 10, Dwayne Buckle has reached Banff National Park as part of his Hike for the Cure, an independent fundraiser supporting childhood cancer awareness and the Canadian Cancer Society. After taking Thursday to explore Banff National Park, he plans to continue from Lake Louise to Banff today before eventually finishing in Calgary. If you spot Dwayne along the way, give him a wave and plenty of room on the road. 

• 🏃 Registration Is Open for Banff’s Terry Fox Run. It’s that time of year again. Banff’s annual Terry Fox Run takes place Sunday, Sept. 20 at Sundance Park, with 1, 2, 5 and 10-km routes for anyone who wants to walk, run, wheel or roll in support of cancer research. Bikes, rollerblades, wheelchairs and leashed dogs are welcome too. You can register, donate or start fundraising here. 

• 🙋 5 Peaks Needs Volunteers for Its Canmore Race. The 5 Peaks trail-running series returns to the Canmore Nordic Centre on Sept. 5, and organizers are still looking for volunteers to help pull it off. Open roles include course marshals, course sweeps, aid station support and parking. There’s a nice perk if you’re a runner yourself: volunteer for at least four hours and you’ll earn a free entry to a future race, plus food and an event souvenir. See the open volunteer spots and sign up here.*

• ✅ Bow Valley Insider Awards Voting Is Now Open. We’ve launched the first Bow Valley Insider Awards, giving locals the final say on their favourite businesses across 85 categories. From burgers and bakeries to bike shops, mechanics, gyms and outdoor companies, the winners are entirely reader-voted. Don’t see your favourite listed? You can nominate them directly. Winners get featured in Bow Valley Insider, receive a custom Readers’ Choice trophy and join a permanent online winners directory. Cast your votes by Sept. 15. 

CIVIC NEWS

• MD of Bighorn Applies for Flood Assistance. The MD has applied for Alberta’s Hazard Assistance and Resilience Program following creek and groundwater flooding in late June and early July. If the application is approved, affected residents, small businesses and non-profits could be eligible for help covering certain uninsured losses. For now, the MD recommends documenting any damage, keeping receipts and estimates, and contacting your insurer. If approved, residents will have 90 days to apply for assistance. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, August 21th, 2026, 6:00 PM: DJ Tenax.  Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

• Friday, August 21th, 2026, 10:00 PM: Red Mile High.  Location: The Drake, Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, August 22th, 2026, 9:30 PM: Black Tie Flannel.  Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover.

• Saturday, August 22th, 2026, 10:30 PM: Static.  Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. $10.

SPORTS

• Banff Runner Wins Canadian Death Race. Banff ultrarunner Sam Dickie won the 118-kilometre Canadian Death Race in Grande Cache, finishing in 13 hours and 25 minutes, about an hour ahead of the field. And conditions weren't exactly friendly. Racers started in heat and smoke before temperatures plunged and a thunder, lightning and hailstorm rolled through, contributing to more than 100 racers dropping out. Dickie’s next target is a UTMB World Series race in the Swiss Alps this September.

That’s all, folks!

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.