🚩Canmore’s Main Street Dilemma

This New Plan Has Locals Talking

Author

Bow Valley Insider
May 09, 2025

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We just dropped episode 2 of Roast My Trip — our series where we take real visitor itineraries, give them a friendly roast, and suggest smarter, local-approved fixes. It’s all about turning rushed plans into memorable ones, while spotlighting lesser-known spots and small businesses that deserve the traffic. Catch it at the top of today’s Digest.

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

“I spent $1200 in the local paper, and got zero calls.”

We hear this all the time.

Bow Valley Insider reaches 11,000+ locals — and our partners actually see results.

If you’re done with outdated marketing


âžĄïž Fill out this quick form and let’s talk about what works.

CANMORE EYES YEAR-ROUND PEDESTRIAN ZONE

What’s Happening? Canmore is floating a bold downtown vision, and the headline idea? Turning Main Street into a year-round pedestrian zone—a move that echoes Banff’s now-defunct summer experiment.

The Banff Effect. Banff’s pedestrian zone was scrapped last year after residents narrowly voted it down, citing traffic headaches and spillover into residential streets. Now, Canmore is weighing a similar plan, and opinions are pouring in.

Locals Split on the Walk-Only Future. Many residents and business owners aren’t sold. Some say a winter closure to cars just won’t work for an aging population, tourists with mobility needs, or businesses that still struggle in the off-season. The Downtown Canmore Business Improvement Area is pushing for a phased, seasonal approach—think street festivals and summer-only closures instead of a hard pivot.

Beyond Pedestrians. The plan is part of a broader 25-year redevelopment vision: increased housing density, reduced surface parking, more green space, and better walk-bike-transit access. But the pedestrian zone is clearly the flashpoint.

What’s Next? With more than 1,300 pages of public feedback already submitted, Canmore council postponed the next reading until May 27. Expect amendments—and more debate. We’ll keep you updated.

Should Canmore go car-free on Main Street?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

JUST LISTED: PERFECT MOUNTAIN RETREAT & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

Say hello to 322-107 Montane Road! A fully renovated 2-bedroom unit that blends comfort, style, and incredible investment potential. 

Zoned for short-term rental and located in one of Canmore’s most sought-after vacation complexes, The Lodges at Canmore, this unit is a fantastic opportunity for Airbnb or VRBO.

With stunning Three Sisters mountain views, brand new appliances, and resort-style amenities—including a year-round outdoor pool and hot tub—it’s the perfect mountain retreat. Plus, it comes fully furnished and ready to welcome guests!

Whether you're seeking a reliable investment property or a serene personal retreat in the heart of Canmore, this turnkey unit is ready to deliver.

Contact Lori & Alex to schedule your private showing, and be sure to follow them on Instagram for more Bow Valley property updates.

*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.

THE DIGEST

  • đŸžïž This Banff Itinerary Needs A Reality Check.  Welcome to Episode 2 of Roast My Trip. We just roasted a real 3-day trip that tried to do it all — and offered smarter swaps to avoid the crowds, confusion, and $12 teas. We kept it local and honest. Read the full breakdown — and send us yours if you’re brave.

  • 🏆 Wim Pauw Receives National Honour. Wim Pauw has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal — a national recognition for Canadians who’ve made significant contributions to public life. From building Banff’s tourism economy to funding local organizations, Wim’s decades of work have shaped the Bow Valley for the better. A well-earned honour.

  • 📈 Even Japanese Diplomats Can’t Find a Room. Between the G7 Summit, a 20,000-person Rotary convention, and peak summer tourism, southern Alberta is fully booked. Japan’s 200-person G7 delegation is now eyeing Calgary hotels, proving that even world leaders’ entourages can get caught in the Banff accommodation crunch.

  • 🏅 Canmore Scientist Wins Global Hydrology Prize. John Pomeroy has earned the prestigious International Hydrology Prize – Dooge Medal for his groundbreaking work on snow, ice, and water systems over four decades. Based in Canmore, Pomeroy’s research helped shape global climate science — but he says political inaction remains the greatest threat to meaningful progress.

FIGHTER JETS OVER BOW VALLEY SKIES AHEAD OF G7

Derek Heyes Photo

What’s Happening? If it sounds like Top Gun over Canmore and Kananaskis, you’re not imagining things. Fighter jets are soaring through Bow Valley skies as part of security training for the G7 Summit, happening June 15–17 in Kananaskis.

Jet Noise, Summit Prep. Residents have reported more frequent flyovers, and it’s just getting started. The Royal Canadian Air Force is now training with CF-18 Hornets, with Chinook and Griffon helicopters joining the mix later this month. Expect low-altitude formations and some window-rattling.

Security in Overdrive. From June 10–18, a controlled access zone will surround the summit site. Drone use will be banned, and RCMP aircraft are already testing comms networks across the region.

Echoes of 2002. The last time world leaders met here, during the 2002 G8 Summit, it triggered one of the largest security operations in Canadian history—complete with surface-to-air missile systems. While nothing that extreme has been confirmed this time around, the ramp-up is real.

Heads Up. Whether you’re hiking, biking, or just out for coffee, don’t be surprised if your mountain soundtrack now includes a sonic boom or two.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

  • Share & Repair Fair. Explore Canmore’s Library of Things and discover how sharing supports sustainability! It’s a free event promoting reuse, repair, and a circular economy. 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore. Free.

  • Swap Til You Drop. A swap is an event where people exchange gently used items they no longer need for ones that are new-to-them. It’s completely free. 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM. Canmore Library, Free. 

Saturday

  • Free Family Movie. Sonic speeds back to theatres in his most action-packed adventure yet! Joined by Knuckles and Tails, he faces Shadow—a powerful new threat unlike any before. Outmatched and outnumbered, Team Sonic must form an unexpected alliance to save the world. 10:00 AM. artsPlace, Canmore. Free.

  • Celebrating 75 Years of Research in Kananaskis. Hear from researchers on the critical role of long-term data in understanding Bow Valley ecosystems like Columbian ground squirrels and bighorn sheep.11:00 AM. Barrier Lake Field Station. Free. 

Sunday

  • Celebrate Mother’s Day at Table Food + Drink. This Mother's Day, treat Mom to something truly special—an unforgettable brunch at one of the best spots in Canmore. Start her day with a Strawberry-Infused Orange Mimosa and indulge in their signature Egg Benny Features. Tables fill fast—reserve now.*

  • Blooms & Brunch at The Fat Ox!  The Fat Ox is serving up an Alpine Italian Mother’s Day brunch with white tulips for mom, a DIY hot chocolate station for kids, and dishes worth slowing down for — from ricotta gnocchi to bison hash. 10AM–3PM. Cozy and elegant.  Book now.*

  • Sunday Prime Rib Buffet. Dig into Canadian Certified Angus prime rib at The Stirling in the Malcolm Hotel! A hearty way to wrap up the weekend! All-you-can-eat buffet from 5:30 PM-9:00 PM. $45 for adults, $20 for kids 6–12, and little ones under 6 eat free. Book now.*

  • Spring Yoga in Canmore. Join CYAN for drop-in, donation-based yoga classes to stretch, breathe, and connect. All are welcome. 8:15 PM - 9:15 PM. Yoga Lounge, Canmore. Free. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • ✅ Wendy’s Garden Centre is now open—just in time for Mother’s Day! Find pansies, hanging baskets, perennials, shrubs, and bedding plants ready to bloom. Plus, Rocky Mountain Crinkles coffee truck is on site, so grab a cup and wander the garden centre to pick out something beautiful for Mom. Located at 13 Industrial Place (Roosters Corner).*

  • đŸžïž Downward Dog, Meet Mountain Goat. If you’re even kind of into the idea of yoga, but you want it outdoors and less “studio lighting” and more “mountain views,” you’d love Well in Banff. You can even cold plunge in a glacier lake after. Standard passes get you into everything. It sounds ridiculous—in the best way. Runs from May 23-25.*

  • 🏃 Run All Night. Grab your crew and take on Relentless 24—the Rockies’ only 24-hour endurance run. Whether you’re a trail-obsessed squad, coworkers chasing office bragging rights, or a family that bonds over Type 2 fun, this relay lets you tag in, cheer hard, and chase sunrise together. June 21–22 at Canmore Nordic Centre. Locals get 15% off team entries with code BowValleyLocal.*

  • ⛷ Two More Weeks of Slushy Spring Stoke. Banff Sunshine keeps the lifts spinning ‘til May 19, with warm temps and a stacked spring lineup. Slush Cup weekend (May 17–19) is the main event — the legendary pond skim judged by Olympians and packed with retro vibes, rail jams, and big splashes.

  • đŸ» Brush Up on Bear Safety. Whether you're hiking, camping, or commuting through bear country, being prepared matters. WildSmart’s comprehensive guide to bear spray offers critical safety tips for anyone living in or visiting the Bow Valley. 

  • đŸȘ¶Banff’s New Poet Laureate Is In The Spotlight! Catch her recent interview on CBC as she shares how poetry connects people, place, and community. A fresh voice for the Bow Valley—don’t miss it. 

  • đŸ€ Need Help Navigating Life in the Bow Valley? The Bow Valley has a Community Social Worker who offers free, confidential help with food insecurity, financial support, housing, medical coverage, advanced care planning, and more.

Attention: Bar, Restaurant, & Cafe Owners

Got a new menu? A midweek special? A killer cocktail no one knows about?

We want to feature you.

Fill out this form and we’ll be in touch.

CIVIC NEWS

  • Vehicle Policy Officially Rescinded. Canmore scrapped its 2016 vehicle replacement policy in favour of a more flexible internal directive. The move supports cost-saving, climate-friendly fleet decisions and aligns with Canmore’s Climate Emergency Action Plan to reduce GHG emissions.

  • Town of Banff Council Meeting – May 12. On the agenda: a proposed basketball court in Middle Springs and updates to the Town’s purchasing policy. Tune in to see how local priorities are taking shape—community input and fiscal strategy are both on the table.

LIVE MUSIC

  • Friday, May 9th, 2025,  7:30 PM: Under the Rocks. Location:artsPlace, Canmore.$35 / members $29.75 / youth $17.50.

SPORTS

  • Ever Wonder What It’s Like To Ski Down An 11,000-Ft Rockies Summit? This video takes you from the top of Mt. Hector straight to the parking lot — a classic ski mountaineering line with 1600m of descent and sweeping alpine views. 

That’s all, folks!

  • Have a cool story or event to share? Hit reply. 

  • Want to advertise to Bow Valley locals? Fill out this quick form.

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

Disclaimer: Some content in this newsletter is sponsored. These stories are marked with an asterisk (*). We only feature businesses, products, or services we believe are relevant to our readers.

Reply

or to participate.