🧖‍♀️ Banff’s Rooftop Spa Plan

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Big night on Wednesday for the Canmore Eagles. They’re heading to their first-ever AJHL championship series after a 4-3 overtime win over Drumheller to complete the sweep (read full recap). They’ll now wait to see whether it’s Whitecourt or Grande Prairie next, with a shot at the title on the line and home games set for the Canmore Rec Centre. Tickets aren’t available yet, but expect them to go fast.

— Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

ROOFTOP NORDIC SPA PLANNED FOR DOWNTOWN BANFF

What’s Happening? Basecamp Resorts is planning a new rooftop Nordic spa in downtown Banff, redeveloping its existing hotel at 316 Marten St. into a 34,000-square-foot wellness destination. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 with a targeted opening in fall 2027.

What They’re Building. The project centres around a rooftop thermal circuit with hot and cold pools, plus indoor saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation areas. About half the space would sit on the roof, with features like fire pits, lounge zones, and an event sauna for guided wellness sessions. The redevelopment also includes 21 updated hotel rooms.

The Scale (And Why It Matters). The company estimates roughly 100,000 annual visitors and about 70 jobs. Adding a high-capacity attraction in the downtown core raises the familiar question: where does that demand go during peak periods? Everwild says the goal is not to increase visitation, but to “change how people spend their time once they’re here.” 

How It Compares. Banff already has about a dozen spa and wellness operators, but most are smaller and treatment-focused. This would be one of the few large, destination-style spa experiences in town.

Meanwhile, Everwild’s Canmore location, which opened in November 2025, is more spread out with multiple pools and a 99-room hotel, and is expected to see 70,000 to 78,000 visitors annually. The Banff version flips that model, going vertical and aiming for higher throughput in a smaller footprint.

Locals vs. Visitors. Access is still an open question. The company says it plans to offer preferred pricing and community programming for residents, but will prioritize hotel guests and is not planning a membership model. At its Canmore location, Everwild offers a 25% weekday discount for locals with access available without a hotel stay, which could signal how Banff pricing might take shape. That said, spa access across the region often still skews toward visitors, depending on pricing and availability.

Zooming Out.  The project is backed by the Wildwood Investment Fund, now grown to $50 million, which is supporting Everwild’s expansion, including this Banff development, along with planned projects in Fernie and Harmony (near Calgary).

Read our full story to see what this project could mean for Banff.

YOU’RE INVITED. OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY AT 4-36 WINDRIDGE ROAD

Looking for something that’s move-in ready without a long to-do list? This updated 3-bedroom townhome is one of those places you can settle into right away.

It’s been refreshed with modern upgrades throughout, with a layout that works just as well for full-time living as it does for weekend use. You’ve also got a private outdoor space, plus an attached garage and driveway parking, so the day-to-day is easy.

Highlights:

• Brand new A/C

• All new Samsung Bespoke appliances

• Over 1,800 sq ft of flexible living space

• Private outdoor area

• Low condo fees

If you’ve been waiting for something low-maintenance that still feels like a proper home, this one’s worth a look. Stop by the open house this Saturday at 4-36 Windridge Road (April 10) from 1 to 4 PM.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• 🚘 Are Headlights Getting Out of Hand? Ottawa Wants Your Take. If you’ve been squinting through oncoming traffic, you’re not alone. Transport Canada has launched a national survey on whether modern LED headlights are too bright and potentially unsafe. Experts say newer lights are brighter, bluer, and more glaring, especially in rain or at night, where they can trigger “visual startle” and impact driving. There’s also a wildlife angle, with light pollution affecting migrating birds. Survey runs until April 20, and over 140,000 Canadians have already weighed in. 

• 🏢 New Development Rules Hit a Wall of Mixed Opinions. A sweeping rewrite of how and where people can build, live, and run businesses across Exshaw, Lac des Arcs, and Dead Man’s Flats is heading to council, but residents aren’t aligned on what that future should look like. Feedback shows sharp divides on everything from short-term rentals to rural retreats and how much building should be allowed, with many issues split between support, opposition, and uncertainty. Short-term rentals are a key tension point, balancing homeowner income with concerns about noise and community feel. Read our full story for where residents are divided.

• 💵 ShredAbility Returns with a $50K Goal at Sunshine. The 11th annual ShredAbility fundraiser is back at Banff Sunshine Village this weekend, aiming to raise $50,000 for adaptive mountain sport programs. Hosted by Rocky Mountain Adaptive, a Canmore-based nonprofit that helps people with disabilities access mountain sports, the event blends skiing and snowboarding with a mountain-wide scavenger hunt, plus a silent auction and 50/50 raffle open to the public. Funds support accessible outdoor recreation across the Bow Valley. Here’s how to get involved. 

• 🧑‍🚒 New Fire Chief Steps In as Kananaskis Faces Growing Demand. Kananaskis Emergency Services has a new fire chief, with Kris Hill stepping into the role bringing 16 years of experience across wildfire response, training, and fire prevention. Hill takes over as visitation to the region continues to climb, with roughly five million people passing through in 2025. Covering a vast, mountainous area where response times can stretch past an hour, the role comes with unique challenges, from highway incidents to backcountry rescues. Hill says his focus will be maintaining service quality as demand grows.

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$65,500 AWARDED TO 24 BOW VALLEY NONPROFITS

What’s Happening? The Rotary Club of Canmore has awarded $65,500 in community grants to 24 Bow Valley nonprofits, funding a wide range of local programs from food security to youth arts.

Where The Money’s Going. Grants of up to $5,000 were distributed across sectors like mental health, recreation, and environmental initiatives. A few notable recipients:

• Rocky Mountain Adaptive is funding its “No Limits” summer program, offering multi-sport experiences for youth with disabilities.

• The Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley is expanding its Hot Meals Program, which served 1,300+ meals this past winter.

• Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation, which operates artsPlace, is using funds to offer free youth and early childhood arts programming.

Why It Matters. While $65K won’t solve structural challenges like housing or food insecurity, the model here is targeted: smaller grants aimed at high-impact, on-the-ground programs. As Rotary puts it, the goal is to support “practical, community-driven projects” that respond directly to local needs.

A Signal On Demand. Several funded programs point to growing pressure points in the Bow Valley. Demand for food support is rising alongside housing instability, with more people accessing services beyond just overnight shelter use. At the same time, youth programming and inclusive recreation continue to see strong demand, reflected in expanded offerings and waitlists.

How It’s Funded. The grants are powered entirely by local fundraising, including events like the Festival of Trees (that Christmas fundraiser you’ve probably seen us cover in Bow Valley Insider) and Rotary’s Golf Charity Classic, with proceeds reinvested back into the community.

Read our full story for a breakdown of recipients.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Live Music at Canmore Brewing with Tony Melo. Ease into the weekend with a laid-back set from local guitarist Tony Melo, mixing folk, funk, jazz, blues, and pop with the occasional Beatles throwback. Pair it with $6 Happy Hour pints and you’ve got a solid Friday plan. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. No cover.*

Saturday

• Community Rummage & Bike Sale. If you enjoy the thrill of a good secondhand find, the Spring Community Rummage is back. Browse tables filled with sporting gear, kitchen items, clothing, books, toys, and handmade crafts, along with a bike sale. 9:00 AM -  2:00 PM. Fenlands, Banff. Free entry.

• Spring Thaw Dance. A good excuse to swap ski boots for dancing shoes and shake off the last of winter. The Valley Winds Jazz Band teams up with Midnight Blue for a night of jazz, funk, blues, and Latin rhythms. It’s held at the Canmore Seniors Centre, but don’t let the name fool you, it doubles as a great dance venue. 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Canmore Seniors Centre. Tickets are $30 in advance.*

• Canada’s Next Generation of Classical Musicians. A night of classical music spotlighting some of the country’s most promising young performers. The concert features emerging musicians on cello, piano, and guitar, performing alongside acclaimed pianist and Canmore resident Susanne Ruberg-Gordon. 7:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $17.50 - $34.*

Sunday

• Canmore Workshop Focuses on Children’s Cold and Flu Care. A practical children’s health masterclass is coming to Canmore. Led by herbalist and mother of three Caroline Evans, the session is aimed at parents who want to feel more confident handling coughs, colds, earaches, sinus issues, chest infections, and more. 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Heaven on Earth Herbals. Register here.*

• Clothing Swap-O-Rama. If your closet needs a refresh but your wallet doesn’t, the Canmore Public Library’s spring Clothing Swap-O-Rama is back. Browse racks of donated clothing, shoes, and accessories, and take home what you like. Donations are welcome, and everything is free. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Canmore Public Library. Free.

• Eco Food and Fashion Fest. Think food tasting meets a fashion show, all with a sustainability twist. Sample plant-based dishes from local chefs as part of the Vegan Chef Challenge, then watch a climate-focused fashion show featuring fabric artist Ellen Monaghan. 2:30 PM 5:30 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. Free.*

• Prime Rib Sunday Finale. One last chance this season to settle in for a classic Sunday dinner at Sandtraps. Alberta prime rib comes with Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, rainbow carrots, and house beef gravy. It’s the final Prime Rib Sunday feature of the season. 4:00 PM until close. Sandtraps in the Canmore Golf and Curling Club. Dinner is $39.*

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🐻 The Bear Report Is Back. Spring has arrived in the Bow Valley in the most local way possible: the WildSmart bear report is back. It’s a regular update that tracks recent bear activity, sightings, and safety reminders across the region. With bears emerging from their dens and sticking to valley bottoms, encounters become more likely as we head into spring. If you’re heading out, it’s worth bookmarking the page and checking it regularly.

• 🛠️ Highway 40 Bridge Update Near Waiparous. If you’re heading north on Highway 40 toward the Ghost, not the Kananaskis stretch, expect some short delays as work begins on a temporary bridge near Waiparous. Prep work will start in the coming weeks, with possible delays of 5 to 10 minutes during construction. The temporary bridge is expected in spring 2026, with full replacement planned for 2027.

• 🏘️ Lake Louise Fire Hall Open House. The Lake Louise fire department is opening the doors to share plans for a new Fire Hall and multi-unit residential building. Drop in to Banff Rocky Mountain Resort on Monday, April 13, from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM to see the design, meet the team, and ask questions about the project before construction begins this summer. 

• 🗣️ Earth Month Events Around the Bow Valley.  There’s a mix of talks, art, and hands-on events popping up across the valley this April, all tied to how we live, build, and recreate here. Earth Talks on April 20 will focus on lessons from the 2024 Jasper wildfire. The Homegrown Art Show runs at Banff Town Hall until April 10, featuring local artists, and artsPlace is hosting an Earth Day film screening on April 22 with a post-show discussion.

CIVIC NEWS

• 100 Palliser Lane Rental Project Update. Construction continues on Canmore’s new long-term rental housing project at 100 Palliser Lane, a two-building development led by Canmore Community Housing that will add 144 below-market rental units for local residents and workers. Work is progressing on both buildings, with one moving into second-floor framing and the other nearing completion of its foundation. The project is using a steel-and-concrete floor system to speed things up as the town pushes to add more stable rental housing.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, April 10th, 2026, 8:00 PM: Club 8-11. Location: Banff Ave Brewing Company. $10.

• Saturday, April 11th, 2026, 7:00 PM: Tartan Day. Location: Drake Pub, Canmore. No cover.

• Saturday, April 11th, 2026, 10:00 PM: Shannon Smith Band. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak. No cover.

SPORTS

• Local Skiers Podium at National Championships in Panorama. Canadian National Championships wrapped up at Panorama with strong results from Bow Valley athletes. Banff’s Liam Wallace took gold in both slalom races, while Canmore’s Jeffrey Read landed three podium finishes across speed and giant slalom events. The week-long competition brought top skiers from across the country. Full write-up.

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.