🌟Banff Ave is Changing

Good morning, Bow Valley!

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In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Parks Canada looks to redesign Banff Avenue 

• Campsites for May long open this week

• Significant budget changes for Canmore 

• Plus, free dance performances, author talks, hockey night in Banff, & more!!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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PARKS CANADA LAUNCHES COMPETITION TO REDESIGN BANFF AVENUE

What's Happening? Parks Canada is launching an international design competition to reimagine the 200-block of Banff Avenue, partnering with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. The competition runs until March 2026 and aims to modernize the space while maintaining Banff’s character.

Decades in the Making. Parks Canada has been working on this vision for over 25 years, securing $8 million in federal funding in 2022. Since then, extensive public and Indigenous engagement has shaped the project’s priorities.

What Locals Want. Key themes from public feedback include authentic Indigenous representation, preserving Banff’s identity, creating an inclusive space, and exploring housing options.

Next Steps? Top architects from around the world will submit designs, with professional evaluations guiding the selection process. More public input opportunities will come as the project moves forward. A revitalized Banff Avenue is on the way—stay tuned.

DANCE PERFORMANCES AT BANFF CENTRE | GET FREE TICKETS IN ADVANCE

Witness two bold, in-progress works from Banff Centre’s Final Tuning 2025 Dance Residency. These free performances showcase cutting-edge contemporary dance from acclaimed choreographers pushing creative boundaries.

Late Bloomer

February 21 | 2 PM & 7:00 PM | Jenny Belzberg Theatre

Hélène Simoneau explores power, belonging, and connection through intricate choreography and atmospheric design. This evocative work examines the balance between inclusion and exclusion, inviting audiences to reflect on their roles in fostering human connection.

Exile

February 22 | 2 PM & 7:00 PM | Margaret Greenham Theatre

Alberta choreographer Meghann Michalsky presents Exile, a high-energy contemporary dance work blending the raw energy of a rock show with intricate movement. Inspired by wind and water, Exile channels resilience, unity, and the freedom found in surrender.

Tickets are free – Get yours now!

_{*Presented by The Banff Centre}

THE DIGEST

• 📝Tourism Talk. Travel Alberta wants Banff locals to weigh in on how tourism affects daily life. Whether you love the buzz or feel the strain, now’s your chance to share your thoughts. Take the survey.

• 🧑🏻‍💻May Long Camping? Act Fast. Campsites for May Long Weekend open for booking on February 15, 2025—90 days in advance. The best spots will be gone within minutes, so set your alarm and be ready to click fast. 

• 🚒Busy Year for Banff Fire. With 733 calls in 2024, Banff Fire nearly matched its record-breaking 2023. Medical calls made up the biggest chunk (338), while fire suppression calls rose slightly to 38. The department recently welcomed four new firefighters, with more coming in the fall, as call volumes remain high with increased visitation.

• 👎👍Canmore Says No, While Banff Says Yes. Canmore’s council voted against funding a Re-Use It Centre, citing costs and existing diversion efforts. Meanwhile, Banff runs a fully operational Re-Use It Centre, open seven days a week, offering locals a way to drop off books, toys, small appliances, and even recycle car seats.

• ☃️Weekly Snowpack Updates. If you're heading into the backcountry, @kananaskissafety on Instagram is a must-follow. The Kananaskis Mountain Rescue team posts weekly snowpack updates, giving you key insights to complement your own research. Stay informed, stay prepared, and make safer decisions in the mountains. 

MAJOR BUDGET CHANGES AHEAD FOR CANMORE

What's Happening? Canmore’s Finance Committee has made key budget recommendations, including pausing a senior home support pilot, trimming services at Elevation Place, increasing community grants, and proposing a 3.9% municipal tax hike. Town Council will make final decisions on these recommendations tomorrow.

Senior Support on Hold. A proposed home support pilot for low-income seniors, modeled after Banff’s, was put on pause due to concerns about taking on a provincial responsibility. Some council members worried that if Canmore funds the program, the province may step away entirely.

Cuts at Elevation Place. The committee recommended eliminating the child and youth business unit in Canmore’s recreation department by 2026, citing underuse. Services like child-minding and Big Fun Day camps could be discontinued.

Community Grants Get a Boost. The committee backed a $10,000 increase to Canmore’s community grant program, recognizing that funding hasn’t kept pace with community growth.

Tax Increase Incoming? A 3.9% municipal tax hike is on the table, translating to $83.30 more per year for the median Canmore homeowner. The final budget vote happens tomorrow.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Cabin Yoga. These sessions will have a focus on simple breath-led movements to improve flexibility, learning to regulate the nervous system with breathwork, and closing with meditation. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM. Canmore Opera House, 400 Spring Creek Dr. $20. 

• Community Meal. This week at Food & Friends, enjoy a linguine genovese served with a green salad. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. St. Michael’s Church, Canmore. Pay what you can. 

• Free Earth Talk. Join Ron Groves for their presentation "Electric Vehicles Fact and Fiction: Driving in Winter and Choosing the Right One". 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Library. Free. Register here or watch online. 

• Adult Volleyball. Drop-in for a pickup game of volleyball. First come, first serve basis. An online Town of Canmore waiver must be signed before the first play. 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM. Lawrence Grassi Middle School. $5. Ages 16+.

Tuesday

• Free Soup. Enjoy a bowl of soup for free every Tuesday. 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. Banff Park Church. Free. 

• Paint Night. Join for a fun, step-by-step guided painting session. No experience needed— all materials are provided. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. The Blake, Canmore. $36.48.

• Author Talk. Bring a friend and take part in a conversation with authors, Sharon Wood, and Bernadette McDonald, about writing, storytelling, and the craft of spinning tales to share with readers.6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Library. Free. 

• Movie Night. In Blink Twice, a tech billionaire invites a potential love interest to his private island. But nothing is as it seems. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $12 / youth $6. 

• Hockey Night in Banff. Head to Banff to watch the Canmore Eagles take on the Lloydminster Bobcats. 7:00 PM. The Fenlands. $16.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 💝Valentine’s Gift Boxes & Cakes. Wild Flour Bakery is offering elegant gift boxes of pink macarons, gold-flake truffles, and heart-shaped cookies. Want something extra special? Try the Valentine’s Vegan Chocolate Torte, complete with a custom message for your loved one!

• ⛷The Lake Louise Loppet is for everyone! They proudly welcome Spirit North’s young Indigenous skiers, LGBTQ2S+ participants, Special Olympians, and Sit Skiers. Join a fun, inclusive race in a breathtaking setting—kids and Special Olympics get chocolate medals! Sign up now.

• ⛰️Wilderness Navigation Workshop – Master the Backcountry. Navigate with confidence! Join expert guide Mike Blake for an interactive deep dive into maps, compasses, and digital tools. Virtual on Zoom, Feb 26, 2025, 6-8 PM. $15 members/$30 non-members. Register.

• 📣Board Members Wanted. Banff Pride is on the lookout for new board members to play a role in shaping the organization’s strategic direction and expansion, provide governance savvy, and act as ambassadors within our community.

• 🐾Pup-O-Gram Fundraiser. Bow Valley SPCA volunteers home-baked dog cookies you can send to a special dog in your life or to a shelter pup!

• 👋Tax Volunteers Needed. Help seniors and low-income individuals and families complete their 2024 taxes. A basic understanding of income tax is all you need. To volunteer, email [email protected].

• 🌱Grow Together. Canmore Community Garden applications open on March 1. With 50+ shared beds, this is a great way to learn, grow fresh veggies, and split the harvest with fellow gardeners. $50 per household, with seeds provided. Flexibility included—just 1-2 hours a week..

• 🎉Drag Party. Drag, Dj, team games & mingling by colour: Red- Taken, Yellow- Open, Green- Single. Tickets are available for purchase. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore Council took the first step toward banning Tourist Homes in the Bow Valley Trail and Teepee Town areas, following recommendations from the Livability Task Force. The proposed bylaw changes would remove them as a permitted use. A public hearing is set for March 11, 2025.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, February 10th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover. 

• Monday, February 10th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Karaoke Mondays. Location: The Drake Pub, Canmore. No Cover.  

• Tuesday, February 11th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Ice Climbing. Adam Keirle from Canmore is making his competition debut at the UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup in Edmonton (Feb 27 – Mar 2)! Known for pushing limits on ice, he's bringing his fearless energy to the world stage. 

• Skiing. Canmore’s Jeff Read placed 29th in the men’s downhill at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Austria. He admitted some mistakes early in the run cost him time but remains focused on improving.

That’s all, folks!

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