🚽 Canmore’s Smell Returns

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Some of the BVI team went out for ice cream on Saturday night and noticed bachelorette parties literally everywhere. Honestly, one of the clearest signs summer has officially arrived in the Bow Valley.

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

CANMORE RESIDENTS LIKELY FACING ANOTHER SUMMER OF SEWAGE SMELLS

What’s Happening? Canmore’s long-promised wastewater odour fix has been delayed until late fall 2026, meaning residents will likely face another summer of sewage smells. The latest estimated cost has also climbed to roughly $7.2 million, about $1.65 million over the original budget. 

A Problem Residents Have Complained About For Years. Wastewater odours have become a growing frustration for residents, particularly in South Canmore, prompting council to formally prioritize the issue in 2022 after years of complaints. An odour study later identified multiple sources within the facility and recommended a phased mitigation approach.

The town has already completed two earlier phases, including chemical injection systems, air scrubbers, and photoionization upgrades intended to reduce hydrogen sulphide and improve air quality. Basically, several different technologies meant to neutralize or trap the smell before it drifts into nearby neighbourhoods.  

While officials said some of the upgrades improved conditions inside the plant, they acknowledged they “clearly didn’t hit the mark regarding odours” for nearby residents.

Officials say the plant’s open-air sludge holding tanks (yuck!), known as digesters, remain the primary source of the smell. 

Why The Timeline Slipped. Public Works manager Andreas Comeau told council the project ran into delays after Alberta Environment questioned whether covering the tanks would require new provincial approvals.

“We got a phone call from the province saying what are you guys doing?” Comeau said.

The town spent months working through those questions before finally receiving confirmation in February that the project could move ahead without a formal amendment process. 

Temporary Measures This Summer. With the permanent fix now delayed until late fall, the town says it’s preparing several temporary measures to help reduce smells this summer, including odour sensors around the facility, recirculating sludge to prevent stronger smells, and potentially floating covers over the tanks to trap odours. 

Read our full story

FREE VENDOR SPACE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES AT CANMORE MTB WEEKEND

The Canmore MTB Classic is looking for local businesses, brands, artists, and outdoor vendors to set up at this year’s race expo, and vendor space is completely free.

The event runs at the Canmore Nordic Centre and is expected to draw roughly 3,000 to 5,000 people across the main expo days. Organizers say it’s a chance for local businesses to get in front of a crowd that’s very into bikes, trails, gear, coffee, snacks, and generally spending time outdoors.

Vendor days are:

 • Thursday, June 11 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, June 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Canmore MTB Classic is once again the only Canadian stop on the UCI Continental Series calendar, bringing international athletes and spectators to town for the weekend.

Interested vendors can apply here. Want to see the event vibe? Check the video. 

_{*Presented by Canmore MTB Classic.}

THE DIGEST

• 🚧 Highwood Pass Closed After Grizzly Bluff Charge. If you were hoping to bike Highwood Pass before the seasonal gates open, Alberta Parks just threw up a hard no. A bear warning issued May 17 along Highway 40 near Highwood Junction has now escalated into a full closure as of May 21 after a grizzly bear bluff charged a person. Foot and bike traffic are now prohibited until further notice (map here). Meanwhile, a separate bear warning is also in effect at the Kananaskis Golf Course, where multiple bears have been frequenting the area.

• 🌉 Blackshale Suspension Bridge Is Officially Open. One of Kananaskis’ more underrated summer spots is back open for the season. The Blackshale Suspension Bridge is now snow-free and accessible again, offering a 240-foot suspension bridge tucked deep in the forest with views over the creek and surrounding peaks. If you’ve never been, you can check out our video for a better look at the bridge. Most people reach it via a scenic 6.8-km return hike from Black Prince Day Use, though there’s also a shorter route directly from the highway. 

• 💡 Did the Canadian Rockies Actually Start in Nevada? Geologists in Calgary recently debated a pretty wild idea: that the Canadian Rockies may have originally formed near present-day Nevada before shifting more than 1,000 kilometres north over millions of years. The theory, presented by Central Washington University professor Nick Zentner at GeoConvention, is based partly on magnetic signals preserved in ancient rocks. Not everyone’s convinced, though, with some geologists arguing there’s still not enough physical evidence to support a shift that dramatic. If you’re a rock nerd, you can dive into the full theory on the Calgary Eyeopener podcast. 

• 🔥 Canmore Scores High on Wildfire Preparedness, But Gaps Remain. Canmore earned an A- on Alberta’s new FireSmart community scorecard, placing above the provincial pilot-program average and among the stronger-performing communities assessed so far. But town officials say the results also exposed weaknesses, particularly around long-term planning and resident participation. Canmore’s wildfire strategy hasn’t been fully updated since 2018, and participation in local FireSmart neighbourhood programs remains limited. Future updates will focus on getting more residents involved in reducing wildfire risk around their homes.

Here’s What Banff Sport Medicine Said About Working With Us

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WHY IS A GARAGE DOOR GUY PAYING TO MARKET BANFF? 

What’s Happening? Confusion over how Banff & Lake Louise Tourism (BLLT) is funded has sparked renewed debate over why some contractors and non-tourism businesses help pay for tourism marketing through Banff’s business licence fees, the fees businesses pay the town in order to operate in the community. 

Why The Debate Started. The issue gained attention after earlier Bow Valley Insider reporting compared business licence costs between Banff and Canmore. One Canmore-based garage door contractor said he pays $150 for a licence in Canmore compared to $1,231 in Banff. Many readers questioned why businesses not directly tied to tourism should help pay to market Banff at all. Others argued Banff already attracts more than enough visitors without additional promotion.

A Bow Valley Insider poll later found 84% of 220 respondents opposed the current funding structure.

Where The Money Actually Goes. Christie Pashby, BLLT’s director of public affairs, told Bow Valley Insider that most of the organization’s funding actually comes from visitors, not businesses.

“Banff & Lake Louise Tourism…is funded predominantly, about 85%, by a destination marketing fee collected from visitors, not from businesses,” Pashby said.

That fee adds 2% onto hotel stays in Banff and Lake Louise. So if someone books a $300 hotel room, they would pay an extra $6 that goes toward tourism marketing.

At the same time, business licence fees also help fund BLLT. Town communications director Jason Darrah told Bow Valley Insider that when all business licence fees across Banff are added together, about 98% of that money goes toward BLLT’s tourism services.

How much each business contributes depends on the type of business and which fee category it falls under. Pashby said in the contractor example from Bow Valley Insider’s earlier reporting, about 58% of the garage door company’s $1,231 licence fee went to BLLT, while the remaining 42% stayed with the Town of Banff.

BLLT And The Town Don’t Fully Agree. The debate has also exposed disagreements between the Town of Banff and BLLT over whether Banff’s business licence costs would actually be similar to Canmore’s without the tourism funding model in place. The Town argued fees would likely be “comparable,” while BLLT disputed that claim.

Read our full story 

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Roller Disco at The Fenlands. Midday plans just got a little shinier with family-friendly roller skating under the disco balls. Skate and helmet rentals available. 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM. Fenlands, Banff. Drop-in fees apply.

• A Talk on Energy Transition in Alberta. Conservationist, writer, and photographer Stephen Legault leads the next Earth Talks session on Alberta’s oil reliance, shifting energy demand, and what could come next. 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Library. Free.*

Tuesday

• Bear Aware Online Session. The Town of Banff and Parks Canada are hosting a free 75-minute webinar covering bear identification, behaviour, prevention tips, and how to reduce surprise encounters on the trail this season. 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM. Online. Free. 

WHY YOUR HOT WATER TANK KEEPS FAILING EARLY

If your hot water tank didn’t make it past 10 years, you’re not alone.

In the Bow Valley, hard water is tough on plumbing. As water moves through limestone, it picks up minerals that settle inside your tank. Over time, that buildup makes it work harder, heat less efficiently, and wear out faster than expected.

That’s why tanks here often fail sooner than people think. Not because they were faulty. Because of what’s happening inside them every day.

The same buildup can also reduce water pressure and slowly affect fixtures throughout the home.

Most people don’t connect the dots until something breaks.

Cool Runnings Plumbing deals with this all the time. Whether it’s flushing a system, replacing a failing tank, or preventing the next one from going early, the goal is to fix the cause, not just the symptom.

If your hot water hasn’t been as consistent lately, it might be worth getting it checked before it gives out completely.

Have a quick call with Cool Runnings Plumbing

_{*Presented by Cool Runnings Plumbing.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🌷 Canmore’s Flower Lady Is Back. If you’ve admired the overflowing patio baskets and storefront flowers around town, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen Wendy’s work. Wendy’s Garden Centre is officially back for the season in a new location: the old car dealership parking lot across from Elevation Place (map). Expect lush hanging baskets, shrubs, trees, veggie starts, and flowers that actually survive Bow Valley weather. Open daily 9AM-6PM (5PM Sundays). Open rain or shine.*

• 🎤 Final Week for The Beatles in Canmore. If you have been meaning to check this one out, this is it. The Beatles-inspired live show at Carter-Ryan Theatre wraps May 31. It is not a straight Beatles tribute. Songs are rearranged, mashed up, slowed down, and rebuilt with fresh energy and sharp storytelling. Some moments hit nostalgic. Others feel brand new. Inside the 51-seat theatre, every harmony lands close. Last week to catch it before it is gone. Get tickets here. Use BOWVALLEYINSIDER for 15% off.*

• 🚲 Test Bikes on Real Trails Before Buying. Looking for new wheels? Rebound Cycle’s demo and experience centre in Canmore lets riders test premium mountain bikes on actual Bow Valley trails before committing. With more than 10 brands available, you can compare bikes back-to-back, then buy the exact one you rode or order new. No parking-lot pedal circles pretending to be “research.” Just real trail time and nearly 30 years of local bike-matching experience helping riders find the right fit.*

• 🎵 Outdoor Music Festival Coming to Centennial Park. Canmore’s Centennial Park will fill with jazz, classical, and concert bands on Saturday, May 30, as Valley Winds Music Association hosts a free afternoon of outdoor music. Performers from Canmore, Cochrane, and Calgary will play throughout the day. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. BBQ, snacks, beer, wine, and soft drinks will be available, cash only. 12 PM - 5 PM.*

• 🎬 Pine Tree Players Directing Workshop. Curious about directing a play, but not sure where to begin? Canmore’s Pine Tree Players is hosting a two-part summer workshop led by Bronwyn Steinberg, creative director of Calgary’s Lunchbox Theatre. The first session, on choosing a script, runs online June 7 from 6:30-8:30 PM. The second, on directing basics and building a vision, runs July 26 at the Canmore Library. Pay what you can.*

• 👩🏻‍🔬 Spring Allergies Are Starting to Kick In. Suddenly, your eyes are itchy, your nose won’t stop running, and something feels off. Spring in the Bow Valley has a way of doing that. Most people grab something off the shelf and hope it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. At Banff Value Drug Mart, owner and pharmacist Varun sees this all the time. He can walk through your symptoms and, if needed, prescribe something that actually helps (without seeing a doctor first). Locals also get 15% off on all front store items, every day of the week, which other pharmacies in the Bow Valley don’t offer.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Exshaw Fire Department Training Exercise Planned. Expect to see multiple emergency vehicles and flashing lights in Lac des Arcs today, as the Exshaw Fire Department conducts a training exercise from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. If you spot fire crews moving around the area, it’s training, not an active emergency. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, May 25th, 10:00 PM: Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

• Tuesday, May 26th, 10:00 PM: Jesse Peters Piano Driven Soul. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Bow Valley Runners Put Up Strong Times at Women’s Soap Run. Local runners showed up strong at this weekend’s Women’s Soap Run, with Deadman’s Flats’ Michelle Crook finishing seventh overall in the half-marathon with a time of 1:46:40. Banff runners Maya Gill, Ali Green, Mia Morris, and Anna Karan also cracked the top 15. Over in the women’s 10K, Banff’s Avril O’Driscoll landed fourth overall with a time of 46:51.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Wednesday, 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.