🏄🏻‍♀️ Stranded On A Paddle Board

Bear Kills Dog, Downtown Canmore’s Big Vision, Staff Housing

Author

Bow Valley Insider
July 17, 2024

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Fun fact: Did you know the Town of Banff keeps an eye on the traffic flow? Last week, Banff's main entrance volumes were 195,443; that’s 2% higher than in 2023!

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

  • Have your say on the future of downtown Canmore

  • Viral video of tourist getting really close to elk

  • Another Banff Pedestrian Zone advanced polling vote is today

Let’s get to it!

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

Own a local business and want to advertise to Bow Valley locals? Fill out this quick form

PUBLIC HEARING TO REMOVE STAFF HOUSING

What’s happening:Canmore's Town Council is moving to discourage employee housing in the light industrial area, scheduling a public hearing for September 3.  

Why discourage employee housing in this area: Employee housing in the light industrial area takes away valuable land for commercial and industrial use.  There is also a lack of amenities, a greater distance from garbage, and less connectivity for people living in such an area. 

The desperate need for employee housing in Canmore: Property and business owners are desperate for staff due to a lack of housing and its impact on operations. Changes to the land use bylaw and other Town planning documents might mean living areas are not ‘workforce-oriented,’ exacerbating the issue.  

A potential solution: The town’s manager of planning and development notes that two other areas in Canmore—Industrial Place and the southern business district near the municipal heliport—are better suited to potentially have employee housing.

Next steps: Opinions and solutions will be discussed at the public hearing.

THE DIGEST

  • 🔥A heat warning has been issued for the next 8-10 days for Canmore, Kananaskis, MD of Bighorn, and Stoney Nakoda. Temperatures are expected to reach between 28 and 36.  

  • 🐨A black bear was euthanized on Sunday, July 14th after it killed a small dog in a resident’s backyard in Cougar Creek, Canmore.

  • ⛰️An adult died in a suspected drowning at Barrier Lake in Kananaskis Country on July 13. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and an investigation is ongoing. An autopsy is scheduled.

SHAPE THE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN CANMORE

What's happening: Connect Downtown has developed an Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) to shape Canmore's downtown for the next 25 years. The plan focuses on sustainable mountain living, increased housing, and transforming outdoor parks and public spaces.

Timeline: Gather input during the summer of 2024. Draft a proposal by the fall of 2024. Present it to the Council in the spring of 2025.

A preview of what’s to come: This information booklet gives an overview of Connect Downtown’s strategies, including a pedestrianized Main Street, wider bike lanes on other streets, incorporating Indigenous language on public spaces, a large plaza, limiting building heights, implementing ‘dark sky’ lighting, and expanding ROAM routes.

Have your say: If you live, visit, or travel downtown Canmore, share your thoughts through this survey for a chance to win a $100 gift card.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday, July 17th

  • You’re invited to Teddy Bears’ Picnic: Storytime in the Park is a free, family event with stories, games, songs, and snacks. Just bring your teddy. 10am-12pm, Centennial Park. 

  • Want to Save Money? Bow Valley Settlement Services is hosting a free Money-Saving Tips session via Zoom, 5pm-6pm.

  • Free mountain book discussion: Join Author Talk with Jane Marshall to discuss her book, Searching for Happy Valley, about living in the mountains, at Banff Library, 7:30pm-8:30pm. Free. 

Thursday, July 18th

  • Outdoor Morning Yoga: Join free Yoga in the Park, 7:30am-8:30am in Banff Central Park. 

  • Catch a play performed by Canmore’s Pine Tree Players: The Snow Queen by Charles Way is doing a matinee at 1pm, Stan Rogers Memorial Stage in Canmore. Tickets are $15.

  • Or go for the Pine Tree Players’ OTHER play: Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy by Kate Hamill is a twist on the classic Dracula by Bram Stoker, 7pm, Stan Rogers Memorial Stage in Canmore. Tickets are $20. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

  • 💼Are you a business entrepreneur in the Bow Valley looking to connect with other business owners in the area? Canmore and Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce have partnered to create the 2024 Peer Mastermind Program. You can apply for the program here until August 30th. 

  • 👴🏼This Canmore program gives all seniors a chance to get outside and cycle! Cycling Without Age. The program runs two bikes five days a week from three locations every year from early spring to late fall!

  • 🙋Calling all volunteers! The Canmore Folk Festival runs August long weekend and is looking for people to help control access to the festival, food & beverage, photography, site set-up/take-down, and more. Apply to volunteer here (you’ll get a weekend pass and a free t-shirt).  

  • 🖼️Walk by the Bow River and enjoy free art on the Art in Nature Trail in Banff until September 30th. 

  • 🔖Discount alert! Locals can get 20% off at Trend Canmore EVERY DAY with proof of Residency.  Find gently used women’s clothing and accessories. 

CIVIC NEWS

  • The first Banff Pedestrian Zone Vote advance poll had a turnout of 359 votes. You can still vote on three more dates, including one happening today.Vote yes or no! 👉Wednesday, July 17th, 10am-2pm at the Banff YWCA, Great Room, 102 Spray Ave.

LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday, July 17th

Thursday, July 18th

  • Mister Bird: 8pm, Arts Place Canmore. Listen to the Bow Valley’s very own Gareth Bruce performing Folk & Roots music. Tickets are $25. 

SPORTS

  • Yukon River Quest saw Steve and Natasia Varieur, a father-daughter duo from Canmore, take third place in the mixed tandem canoe category. Unfortunately, the race ended early in Carmacks due to increased wildfire activity along the route’s road and river.

That’s all, folks!

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

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

Reply

or to participate.