🍁Canada Day Events

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Canada Day is here! This edition is packed full of tips for planning the best possible day in the Bow Valley.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Canada Day festivities

• Booking campsites just got easier

• A fire was started deliberately in Lake Louise
  
  + Where to get $40 massages

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan, Shireen Ahmed, Lauren H., & Ben S.

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DOLLARS AND DIRT: INVESTING IN BRAGG CREEK’S BACKCOUNTRY

Bragg Creek isn’t blazing any new trails, but they’re taking care of the ones they do have.

What’s happening: Rocky View County just dished out almost $170,000 to the Bragg Creek Trails Association (BCTA) to keep their trails in top shape.

How much: The RVC Recreation Governance Committee approved a grant of $166,050 for BCTA, just shy of their full request.

Where it’s going: BCTA manages a whopping 14,000 acres of trails in Kananaskis, drawing around 300,000 visitors annually. The money will fund various upgrades and maintenance, like converting summer trails for year-round use and widening ski paths.

Why it matters: Gordon Salahor, from BCTA, pointed out that even though the trails aren’t within RVC’s boundaries, the county benefits a lot from all the visitors enjoying the outdoors nearby.

THE DIGEST

• 🔥A tree was set on fire off the walking path near Sentinel Road in Lake Louise on June 27. The fire was put out quickly by Lake Louise Fire, but it was deliberately started. Police are investigating and urging anyone with info to come forward.
  
  

• 🏕️Great news for campers! Parks Canada just rolled out a "Notify Me" feature. Now, you can get an email alert when your preferred frontcountry campsite or Parks Canada accommodation becomes available. No more constant refreshing—just sign in, pick your park and dates, and hit "Notify me."
  
  

• 📵Bow Valley schools are going cellphone-free starting this fall. Following Alberta's directive, all Canadian Rockies Public Schools and others must adopt new policies by September 1. The goal is to boost focus and mental health by curbing distractions from smartphones and social media across K-12.
  
  

• 🏡Over 25% of Bow Valley residents weren't born in Canada. The Bow Valley Immigration Partnership (BVIP) seeks your input for a new strategic plan to foster connections and ensure everyone thrives. Take the survey here.

  
  

  • Highwood Meadows area will be closed for construction from July to November 2025.
    
    

  • Chester Lake area including trails leading to Chester Lake is closed until further notice.
    
    

  • Black bear activity at Boulton Creek campground in Kananaskis.

CANMORE’S COUNCIL FACES BIG DECISIONS

What’s happening: The Town of Canmore Regular Council Meeting is kicking off tomorrow, July 2, at 9:00 am sharp, and it’s shaping up to be quite the agenda.

On the agenda: 

• They're considering removing political campaign signs from the Land Use Bylaw.
  

• The Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley (HSBV) is seeking assistance in the form of access to the Scout Hall for shelter operations, as well as some rent support.
  
  

• It looks like they’re nixing plans to install EV chargers at town facilities. This is disappointing for green enthusiasts, but it will save the town $40,000.

  
  

• There’s a big vote on replacing the rail crossing at Railway Ave and 17th Street.

Other discussions: 

• The Canmore Eagles are asking for $67k in debt relief.
  
  

• The council will also discuss employee housing near the Trans Canada industrial areas. 

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Canada Day Paddle, July 1, 7:30 AM. Celebrate Canada Day with a morning paddle hosted by Bow Valley SUPSurf. Goat Pond, Canmore.
  
  

• Canada Day Fun Run, July 1, 9 AM. Grizzly Mountain Events hosts its 33rd annual Canada Day Family Fun Run and Walk. Centennial Park, Canmore.
  
  

• Community Pancake Breakfast, July 1, 9-11 AM. Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Canmore will prepare and serve pancakes and sausage patties before the Canada Day parade at this family-friendly event in Centennial Park, Canmore.
  
  

• Canada Day Celebrations in Banff, July 1, all day. Check out Sidewalk Art, a Canada Day Market, the Family Fun Zone, and of course the parade. Banff.
  
  

• Canada Day Festivities in Kananaskis, July 1, all day. Barbecues, face painting, a build-your-own-Caesar bar, and more. Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Kananaskis.
  
  

• Bring Your Dog to Canada Day, July 1. Sheepdog Brewing Tap Room is open from 1-6 PM and Canmore Brewing is open from 1-9 PM. Canmore.

Tuesday

• Welcome to Canada Q and A Session, July 2, 11 AM- 1 PM. Informal conversations about Canadian residency, visas, and work permits. Pre-registration is required. Online.
  
  

• Trivia Night, July 2, 7 PM. Tease your brain with Trivia Night. Rose and Crown, Canmore.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎉Heads up for Canada Day parades in Banff and Canmore on July 1: expect route changes and no live bus updates from 4-6:30 p.m.
  
  

• 🛎️The Drake has new menu items! They're 25% off for a limited time—don't miss out on their specials and Moosehead on tap!
  
  

• ✍🏻The Canmore Writing Group’s weekly drop-in session at The Local next Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 6:00 pm.
  
  

• 🎒Inspire Canmore has Wise-Fit Summer Outdoor Classes for Moms & Babies on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Enjoy postnatal physio under the summer sun!
  
  

• 🤝The Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley needs shelving units and bins to organize shelter supplies for the summer. Can you help? Email [email protected].
  
  

• ☕There’s a cool new cafe in Canmore perfect for coffee lovers with a view. Electric Wolf just opened!
  
  

• 🩺No health insurance? Treat yourself to a student massage for $40 at Banff Wellness Practice. Book online now!
  
  

• 🧑🏽‍🤝‍🧑🏼Volunteer Opportunity Alert with CanmoreYoung Adult Network! Position: They have 2-3 Volunteer Outreach Coordinator positions available, requiring up to 5-10 hours per month.

CIVIC NEWS

• Residents of Wapiti Close voiced opposition to a Tourist Home in their neighborhood at an appeal hearing last Thursday. The Canmore Subdivision Development and Appeal Board granted a two-week adjournment due to scheduling conflicts. A decision is expected within fifteen days, following an April stop order issued over complaints about disruptive short-term rentals.
  
  

• The MD of Bighorn is reviewing its ward boundaries and council setup. Right now, there are five councilors across four wards. Share your thoughts at their virtual open house and survey, running July 2-31, 2024, at www.mdbighorn.ca/WBCCR.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, July 1, 2 PM: Violin music covers of pop, rock, jazz, blues, crossover, 80’s, and country! Location: Canmore Hotel, Canmore.
  
  

• Monday, July 1, 2-4 PM: Dance the afternoon away with the Treblemakers. Location: Stan Rogers Stage, Canmore. Free.
  
  

• Monday, July 1, 2-5 PM: Canada Day music with Keith Tanner. Location: The Legion, Canmore.
  
  

• Monday, July 1, 3-7 PM: Canmore’s own one-man-band Cam Bastien. Location: The Yard, Canmore.
  
  

• Monday, July 1, 10 PM: Producer/ DJ Styler Nazo. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore.

SPORTS

• Six senior athletes were honored as Athletes of The Year at Bow Valley high schools: Jordan Lakusta and Jay Porter (Canmore Collegiate High School), Nathan Adam, and Ariane Thomson (Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy), and Taylor Desrosiers and Kyle Berthelot (Banff Community High School). These students excelled in sports while forming strong bonds with teammates and look forward to continuing their athletic and academic journeys.

That’s all, folks!

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