👨‍🚒Firefighter Loses Life

Good morning, Bow Valley!

One of Blue Rodeo’s most famous songs is “After the Rain”, which is just perfect for them to play when these legends take the stage tonight at Canmore Folk Fest!

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Wildfire near Burstall Lakes

• Local woman earns pitch to Banff Media Festival

• $25 tour and tasting at Canmore Brewery

Let’s get to it!

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

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ONE LESS PIT STOP

What’s happening: The Canmore Visitor Information Centre, the last of its kind funded by Travel Alberta, might soon shut its doors.

Contract Expiry: Tourism Canmore Kananaskis (TCK) is facing a contract end with the province on October 31. This means the visitor centre could close, though the parking lots and washrooms might still be accessible for now.

Visitor Decline: TCK has been running the centre for over a decade under two-year contracts, but visitor numbers have dropped significantly. Last year, the centre saw 120,000 visitors, down from 180,000 in 2016. The trend reflects a shift towards digital information sources.

Future of the Site: Once the contract ends, the property will transfer to Alberta Infrastructure. They’ll review the site, including the washrooms and parking, for potential future use. TCK has considered keeping the site but the estimated annual cost of $500,000 is too high with their current funding.

Possible Outcomes: If the Town of Canmore doesn’t take it, the property could be sold privately. Meanwhile, TCK hopes to explore budget options for possibly keeping the site open seasonally.

THE DIGEST

• 🚧Due to a wildfire near Burstall Lakes, the Burstall Pass Day Use Area and nearby trails are closed as of August 2, 2024, until further notice. The fire, sparked by lightning, is currently being tackled by 20 firefighters and a helicopter. No immediate threat to nearby infrastructure or communities, but for now, avoid the area. The Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail remains open.

• ⛔The Rundle Forebay Dike Trail is closed for construction due to the Water Treatment Plant project throughout August 2024. The trail will be blocked off with no detours, so make sure to turn around at the closure points for your safety. Got questions? Shoot an email to [email protected].

• 🐻With bear season in full swing, Albertans need to be cautious in the backcountry. Black and grizzly bears are active in Kananaskis and Bow Valley, and poor berry crops may increase their aggressiveness. Elk are also charging at people near their calves. If you encounter a bear or elk, stay calm and back away slowly. Report sightings to Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470 or Kananaskis Country at 403-591-7755.

• 🎬Dayana Stanislaus, one of 25 selected to pitch "Ray of Hope" at the BANFF World Media Festival, secured crucial funding for her documentary. Transitioning from HR pro to cultural consultant and producer, Dayana's inspiring journey was boosted by the Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative. "Ray of Hope" highlights resilience and advocacy, showcasing her impact on Canadian filmmaking.

• 📢The Jasper wildfire has scorched 32,000 hectares, speeding up glacier melt due to ash darkening the ice. Tragically, a young firefighter lost his life battling the blaze, deeply impacting the community. Meanwhile, residents are starting to return to tour their town, assessing the damage and finding support as they face the aftermath.

WILL ALBERTA PARKS GET A MAKEOVER?

What’s happening: The Alberta government is crafting a new Plan for Parks and wants your input. It’s quick—just 15-20 minutes—and it’s open until August 18, 2024. Your feedback will help ensure our parks remain great for the future.

Big Changes Ahead: The plan includes closing 20 campgrounds and potentially privatizing another 164. Plus, some visitor centers and cross-country ski trails in Kananaskis are set to close, though Canmore Nordic Centre will keep its trails.

Pros of Privatization: Some argue that privatization can bring fresh investment and amenities. For example, private management could lead to upgraded facilities and new recreational options, like glamping.

Conservation Concerns: Many worry that privatizing parks might prioritize profit over preservation. Critics argue that private entities might not be as committed to ecological conservation and public education as government-managed parks.

Your input is key to balancing these issues and ensuring Alberta’s parks stay beautiful and accessible. So, take a few minutes to fill out the survey and make your voice heard!

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Take in live music at Canmore’s annual Folk Festival. Music enjoyed outdoorsAugust 5, 10 AM- 10 PM. Centennial Park, Canmore. $105

• Cool off with a Public Swim. Drop-in available, no pass required.August 5, 10 AM- 5 PM. Elevation Place, Canmore. Drop-in fees apply.

• Want to level up your yoga practice? Check out Aerial Yoga Drop-in August 5, 6- 7PM. Banff Yoga Practice, Banff. Drop-in fees apply.

Tuesday

• Open Q&A for Permenent Resident Pathways hosted by Foreign Workers Bow Valley! Online group information session. August 6, 11 AM- 6 PM. Online. Free but registration required.

• Bingo night is the best night! August 6 at 6:30 PM. The Legion, Exshaw.

• Brewery tour and tasting!Check out this tour that comes with a tasting flight August 6, 7 PM. Canmore Brewery, Canmore. $25

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🏷️It’s the first Tuesday of the month! Enjoy 15% off groceries at Save-On and Safeway, and 20% off at Nutters all day.

• 📝The more things change, the more they stay the same. Check out this article about a wildfire in Banff in 1910!

• 📚Canmore and Banff library memberships are free for locals. Register your card with ME Libraries for free access across Alberta!

• 👉Follow Nakoda Classic Powwow for the latest updates on this annual Labour Day Weekend event at Goodstoney Arena in Mini Thni!

• ☯Looking for a spiritual community without the small talk and big crowds? Canmore’s Buddhist Monastery offers weekly meditation sessions for introverts!

• 🗣Love public speaking and want to boost your skills? Check out Canmore's Toastmasters, the Mountain Mumblers, who meet most Thursdays!

• 🎸Mark Keager plays alt rock-jazz fusion and seeks cool musicians to jam with. Looking for singers, sax, trumpet, violin—open to other instruments too!

• 🧗🏻‍♂️Take a Hike Market has new summer hours starting August 4th! Check our their famous poutine and large selection of cheeses !

• 😋Happy Hour at The Drake: $5 drinks from 2 PM to 7 PM, Sunday to Friday!

• 👨‍👨‍👦‍👦People move to Banff for all kinds of reasons. The town’s committed to serving everyone—learn more!

• ⛳️It’s golf season! Check out the history of the Canmore Golf and Curling Club.
  

CIVIC NEWS

Between the wildfire in Jasper and the pedestrian vote in Banff, both sides are doubling down on their arguments for and against. Town manager Kelly Gibson weighs in:

• Emergency Focus: The Town’s top priority is community safety, with emergency preparedness taking precedence over everything else.

• Preparedness: Banff has top-notch emergency plans, joint training with Parks Canada, and wildfire response strategies.

• Political Disputes: The Town is disappointed that some are using Jasper’s wildfire to politicize the pedestrian zone and emergency plans.

• Response Readiness: We can quickly reopen the pedestrian zone if needed and are confident in our wildfire prevention efforts.

Update on Banff’s pedestrian zone vote:

• Advanced Polls Closed: 1,246 residents voted early; the final vote on Aug. 12 will decide the future of the pedestrian zone.

• Campaigns: "Friends of A Better Banff Ave." supports the zone, while "Banffites for a Comfortable Living Community" opposes it.

• Funding: Both groups are committed to transparency with their campaign finances.

• Resident Concerns: Some worry about the impact on traffic and housing, while others see it as a step towards a more livable town.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, August 4, 8:15- 9:30 PM: Legends Blue Rodeo hit the Canmore Folk Fest. Location: Stan Rogers Stage, Centennial Park, Canmore. Folk Fest Day Pass $105

• Monday, August 4, 10 PM: Music with Brent Lee. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No cover.

• Monday, August 4, 10 PM: Beats with two different DJs. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No cover.
  

• Tuesday, August 5, 10 PM: Refined rock, country, and folk with the Rusty Halligans. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No cover.
  

• Tuesday, August 5, 10 PM: Beats with DJ Styler Nazo. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No cover.

• Tuesday, August 5, 10 PM: Let your voice be heard at karaoke with Andrew Staygold. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff.

• Saturday, August 3, 4-7 PM: An afternoon of live music. Location: The Legion, Banff.

SPORTS

• Canmore triathlete John Burroughs is back in the mountains, gearing up for Ironman Canada-Penticton. He’s thrilled to be training at home after an awesome stint crewing for Ultraman Canada. Time to focus on Ironman Canada and the 70.3! Follow his journey on Instagram @canmoretriathlete

• Canmore’s Andy Mabidi nailed it again, defending his gold in the Classic Physique Masters 50+ category at the CPA Alberta Naturals Bodybuilding Competition in Calgary on July 20. Congrats, Andy (aka @themountainsbeast)! 

That’s all, folks!

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