🚘Goodbye to Driving in Canmore?

Good morning, Bow Valley!

If you’ve been living under a rock, you might’ve missed that the G7 Summit is coming to Kananaskis from June 15–17. But heads up: the real lockdown runs from June 10–18. The RCMP released a pile of info about closures and checkpoints—but they didn’t say which hikes are still open. We did the work, dug through all the documents, and pulled together a full list. You’ll find the link under The Digest today. Bookmark it—you’re going to need it.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Canmore’s Main Street could go car-free year-round

• The Bow Valley looks to turn tourist trash into green fuel

• YWCA Banff closes hotel to make way for a SAIT campus

• Plus, climbing deals, garage sales, art workshops, pub nights, and more!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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CANMORE WANTS TO MAKE MAIN STREET A NO-CAR ZONE—FOREVER

What’s happening? Canmore’s long-awaited downtown makeover plan is officially heading to a public hearing on May 6, with big ambitions: a year-round pedestrian zone, more green space, and a future intercept parking lot to ease congestion.

Long game. The draft plan is a 25+ year vision with 27 action items, including zoning changes, expanded parks, new trails, and building height limits (mostly 3–4 storeys). Funding ranges from $0 to over $1M per item, so don’t expect bulldozers tomorrow.

Feet first. Main Street would be closed to cars year-round, creating a “civic corridor” surrounded by commercial and public space. The Town says most residents support the idea—though not everyone is sold on winter foot traffic.

Parking plot twist. Talk of tweaking the free resident parking program was axed after backlash. But an intercept lot—possibly near Elevation Place—is still on the table, though it’ll require deep pockets and patience.

Make your voice heard. Council wants resident input before second and third readings in June. Translation: read the plan, bring your thoughts, and help shape the future.

ALEX & LORI’S PROPERTY OF THE WEEK: DOWNTOWN LIVING

Have you ever considered living downtown but aren’t interested in sacrificing any privacy or serenity to do so? Well, this may be the property for you! 

3-103 Rundle Drive offers the perfect balance of a vibrant, walkable lifestyle and a peaceful nature retreat—no compromises needed! 

It’s a 5-minute walk to Main Street and 15-minute walk to the Engine Bridge. Yet surrounded by lush, protected, and stunning mountain views. Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature with the Bow River and scenic walking paths just beyond.

This 3-bedroom townhome is a rare find, so don’t miss out—schedule a viewing! And be sure to follow Alex & Lori on Instagram for more Bow Valley market updates.

_{*Presented by Mitchell Kocian Real Estate.}

THE DIGEST

• ⛰️Which Kananaskis Hikes Are Still Open During The G7? With major closures coming for the G7 Summit, many trails near Kananaskis Village will be off-limits — but you’ve still got options. We break down exactly which trails stay open (and which ones don’t) so you can plan around the chaos. Full list inside.

• 🦬Banff’s Indigenous Bison Hunt Likely Here To Stay. Following a 2024 pilot where three bison were killed during a ceremonial hunt, Parks Canada says it’s “entirely likely” Indigenous-led bison hunts will continue in the national park. The initiative is guided by local Nations and meant to honour traditional practices.

• 👨🏻‍🏫YWCA Banff Hotel Closes To Make Room For SAIT Campus. After 30 years, the YWCA’s social enterprise hotel shut down on March 31st to bring in a SAIT hospitality and tourism program. The space will be converted into student housing and a classroom, supporting education on community wellness and workplace violence prevention in Banff’s tourism sector.

• 🏆Spring Creek Wins National Award For Sustainable Building. Canmore’s Spring Creek took home the Transformational Award at the 2025 Maverick Awards for its leadership in green development. With a geo-exchange system, solar arrays, and groundwater irrigation, the community is cutting emissions and pushing toward net zero—earning recognition as a model for sustainable living.

• 👨‍🚒Regional Fire Stations Awarded New Training Grants. Cochrane ($6,263), Stoney Nakoda Nation ($29,305), and Kananaskis Improvement District ($29,749) were awarded provincial grants to boost firefighter training. It's part of Alberta’s $1M investment to help over 65 communities sharpen their emergency response skills.

MILLIONS OF TOURISTS, MOUNTAINS OF TRASH… NOW WHAT?

What’s happening? A potential energy-from-waste facility in the Bow Valley could soon turn trash into treasure—specifically, 25,000 litres of green diesel a day. The idea comes from the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association, which pivoted from one mega-plant to three smaller regional hubs, with the Bow Valley now in the spotlight.

Garbage in, green fuel out. The proposed facility would use modular pyrolysis tech (read: high-heat, no-oxygen waste cooking) to transform waste into synthetic diesel, biochar, electricity, and possibly hydrogen. The goal? Divert over 90% of landfill-bound garbage into renewable energy.

Why here? Millions of tourists = mountains of trash. The Bow Valley’s waste volume makes it a natural candidate. Plus, it could lower the fees municipalities pay to dump waste—called tipping fees—which have gone up as Canmore and Banff now haul garbage to Calgary instead of closer sites.

Still a long haul. The project hinges on political will, land leases, and waste supply agreements. If it all comes together, construction could start in 2026.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Climb for a Toonie. Every first Friday of the month is community climbing day. Grab a friend or three and hang out. All Day. Canmore Climbing Gym. $2.

• Shred for cash at PBR. The Pro Bowl Riding event brings a private, creative course to Banff Sunshine Village. Skiers get three days to ride and film. 10:30 AM–3:30 PM daily. Registration: $40 for the weekend or $20 per day.

• Blow-Out Garage Sale. Shop gently used dog and cat supplies from bowls, toys, leashes and more. Everything is priced under $10. 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM. Bow Valley SPCA. Free to attend.

• Green Tag Sale. Shop til you drop, all while supporting a circular economy and saving clothes from the landfill. All green-tagged clothing is marked 50% off. 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Rundle Thift, Banff.  

Saturday

• Slam Poetry Workshop with Nikki Tate. Participants will create a spoken word poem and then practice their delivery skills with the rest of the group. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Canmore Library. Free, but registration is required. 

• Community Bike Swap. Upgrade your ride or find a new home for your trusted two-wheeler. Bike swap runs all day! Drop-offs 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM, and the swap goes 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Canmore Nordic Centre. Free to attend.

• 57th Bruno Engler Memorial Ski Race. Canada’s longest-running annual ski race returns to Mt. Norquay with a two-run Giant Slalom on Cascade. Open to all ages. 12:00 PM–5:00 PM. Full Race Package: $65, Family Fun Race: $95.

• Tartan Day Pub Night. Celebrate Scottish culture with live music, dancing, food, and more. Wear your favourite tartan and join the fun, Scottish roots optional. 6:00 PM–Late. Canmore Seniors Centre. $25.

Sunday

• Art for the Whole Family. Enjoy free, family-friendly art activities every Sunday at artsPlace Canmore. Two sessions: 10:00–10:45 AM and 11:15 AM–12:00 PM. Free.

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

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🐣Easter Sunday Brunch April 20th. Celebrate Easter at The Prow with a delicious breakfast buffet! Enjoy eggs benedict, crispy bacon, fluffy waffles, and a decadent chocolate fountain, $32 for Adults and $20 for kids under 12. 7 AM - 12:30 PM. Bring your appetite and celebrate the holiday with great food and great company!

• 📖New Book Sheds Light On Ancient Rock Art. Forgotten Dreams explores Indigenous pictographs across Alberta and B.C., using NASA imaging tech and insights from Piikani and Shuswap elders. While the book doesn’t specifically mention Canmore or Banff, locals can spot fading pictographs at Grassi Lakes, Grotto Canyon, and Rats Nest Cave.

• 🎼Banff’s Amelie Patterson Turns From Biology To Ballads. Raised in the Rockies and once bound for med school, indie-folk artist Amelie Patterson found her calling in music. Now a rising voice in Canadian songwriting, she hopes her lyrics give listeners the “emotional vocabulary” to navigate life—and maybe feel a little more connected. 

• 🙋Volunteer Opportunity. The newly resurrected Rundle Thrift Store in Banff is looking for volunteers to sort and organize donations. If you’re interested, email [email protected]. 

• 🚐ROAM Transit Reservations. Reservations for summer 2025 will open in stages for route 8X, AKA the bus to Lake Louise. First up, reservations for travel between May 16th and June 30th will open on Monday, April 21, at 9:00 AM.

• 🍱Food For Less. The Bow Valley Fresh Food Box offers a monthly box of 15 seasonal fruits and veggies, with pick-up spots in Banff, Canmore, Exshaw, and Lake Louise. Affordable, fresh, and local. Click here for details.

• 💝Ukrainian Fundraiser. Enjoy borscht, cabbage rolls, and a Pysanka egg-painting workshop on April 12, 3:00–6:30 PM at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Canmore. Minimum donation: $20.

• 🗳️Federal Polling Stations are Still Unconfirmed.  Bookmark this universal guide. It supplies information about advanced voting dates and what you need to bring when you go. 

• 👩🏻‍💻Local Scholarship for Post Secondary Students. Students actively pursuing educational goals in the field of tourism and/or hospitality and who have a demonstrated relationship (personal and/or professional) with Banff and Lake Louise are eligible to apply for the Dave M Bayne Legacy Bursary.

• 🚧Climbing Area Closure. The Junkyard Area, a popular ice climbing venue near Grassi Lakes, is closed until further notice, citing safety concerns related to “infrastructure replacement.”

• 🎖UCalgary’s Biogeoscience Institute Turns 75. The Biogeoscience Institute, based near Barrier Lake, is celebrating 75 years of field research in the Rockies.

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Eyes ‘Buy Canadian’ Policy. Banff is considering prioritizing Canadian-made goods in municipal purchases to support domestic businesses and show national solidarity amid U.S. trade tensions. Officials say this could strengthen local supply chains and align with national economic priorities while boosting Canadian identity in town. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, April 4th, 2025,  5:00 PM: Riley MacPherson. Location: Canmore Brewing Company. No Cover.

• Friday, April 4th, 2025, 7:30 PM: The Doggone Brothers. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $30 / members $24 / youth $15 

• Friday,April 4th, 2025,  9:00 PM: Tyler Wood. Location: Tavern 1883. $5 Cover.

• Friday, April 5th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Peach Panic. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. $5 Cover.

• Saturday, April 5th, 2025, 7:30  PM: Canada's Rising Stars Concert. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $35 / members $29.75 / youth $17.50.

• Saturday, April 5th, 2025,  9:00 PM: Tyler Wood. Location: Tavern 1883. $5 Cover.

• Saturday, April 5th, 2025,  10:00 PM: Peach Panic. Location: Rose and Crown Banff. $5 Cover.

• Sunday, April 6th, 2025, 3:00 PM: Sunday Sessions hosted by Rose Roberts. Location: Core Values, Canmore.  No Cover.

• Sunday, April 6th, 2025, 7:30  PM: Còig. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $35 / members $29.75 / youth $17.50.

SPORTS

• Local Headed to X Games. Big news for Bow Valley Freestyle—Luca Pollock is the first-ever BVF athlete invited to compete at the X Games! Known for his signature open-jacket style, Luca will also be the youngest athlete ever invited. Congrats, Luca!

• Eagles’ Rhett Dekowny commits to MacEwan. Canmore Eagles forward Rhett Dekowny has committed to MacEwan University for the 2025–26 season.

That’s all, folks!

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