Author: Ciaran Thompson

Town engages in pool redevelopment talks

With the opening of 77,000 square foot Elevation Place scheduled for early in the new year, discussion has now turned to what will be done with the existing pool at the Canmore Recreation Centre.

The decision, by and large, will be determined by the community.

Last Thursday (Oct. 18), the Town held its first public engagement meeting to kick-start a campaign to decide what the pool – originally constructed in 1988 as an Olympics legacy project – will become.

Over 75 people, including some members of council and Mayor John Borrowman, attended an orientation session held at the Rec Centre to learn about the Town’s plan for engaging the public through a tool kit that can be submitted online or in person at the Civic Centre. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Small business in Alberta crippled by bureaucracy

Small businesses are widely regarded as the backbone of Canada’s economy, but the amount of red tape and regulations affecting entrepreneurs in the province is increasing on a more frequent basis, says the Alberta director of provincial affairs for the Canadian Independent Business Foundation (CIBF).

Richard Truscott of the CIBF was guest speaker at last week’s Bow Valley Builders & Developers Association (BOWDA) luncheon, where he outlined some of the difficulties both local small business owners and others across the province face, such as an unnecessary “death by paper cuts.” Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Council not regulating public smoking

Canmore council confirmed its support for the Provincial Tobacco Reduction Act, which prohibits smoking inside public buildings/vehicles, workplaces and within five metres of doorways and windows, but it will not proceed with creating more smoke-free outdoor spaces at this time.

At its regular meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 16), council voted 5–2 in favour of upholding the existing Smoking Control Bylaw with respect to non-regulation of smoking in outdoor spaces.

A presentation delivered at the meeting by manager of protective services, Greg Burt, indicated the Town recently received a request from Action on Smoking and Health to increase the number of smoke-free outdoor spaces. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Canmore recognized by Google Canada

The Town of Canmore is known for its mountain town lifestyle, excellent training grounds for athletes and, most recently, as a leader for small businesses taking advantage of the World Wide Web.

On Tuesday (Oct. 16), Google Canada presented Mayor John Borrowman with one of five eTown Awards in recognition of the town’s numerous small businesses showing initiative regarding finding new customers, conducting operations and growing their business through use of the internet.

Divided into five sections across the country, Canmore was selected as the winner for the Prairies region, alongside other regional winners Moncton, N.B., Dorval, Que., Parry Sound, Ont. and Duncan, B.C. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Canmore Tourism prepares levy submission

Following several weeks of reports, brainstorming sessions and a successful annual general meeting, Canmore Business & Tourism (CBT) is preparing to deliver a proposal to council with the aim of implementing a three per cent levy on accommodations and activities within the town.

At a Committee of the Whole meeting last month, CBT President and CEO Andrew Nickerson presented options for a sustainable funding model to members of council and indicated how the current system in place is not ideal to continue. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Public schools in Bow Valley achieve ‘exceptional’ results

Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS) might not be the biggest school division in the province, but it may be one of the brightest.

Earlier this month, Alberta Education released the latest batch of provincial achievement test (PATs) and diploma exam results, which show CRPS has improved in some areas and surpassed provincial goals in others.

Test results are managed in two categories, standard of excellence and acceptable standard. The first category, according to the Alberta Education website, refers to students who demonstrate a mastery of the core subject material while the latter includes students who demonstrate an understanding of the subject material. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Rabbit program to resume in Canmore this month

Following a four-month campaign that resulted in 189 rabbits captured, all of which were sent to a not-for-profit sanctuary, and cost taxpayers $29,680, the Feral Rabbit program is set to resume in Canmore later this month.

According to Town Communications Co-ordinator Sally Caudill, administration is working with the contracted trapper, Animal Damage Control, to determine the most appropriate time to start trapping. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

New House of Commons committees ‘good mix’ for MP

Wild Rose member of Parliament Blake Richards has been appointed to two House of Commons committees that he says will help him address issues affecting the riding at the national level.

Since the fall sitting of Parliament resumed last month, Richards has been appointed to the standing committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (AGRI) as well as the standing committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (AANO).

Regarding the latter, the MP indicated there are a couple pieces of legislation the committee will be looking at to improve accountability while also studying the link between land use and sustainable economic development within the country’s First Nations. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Photo radar to continue in Canmore

Automated traffic enforcement, more commonly known as photo radar, will continue to exist in the Town of Canmore to curb speeders and improve the overall safety of the roads for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Town council debated the topic at length on Tuesday (Oct. 2) and eventually passed a motion to initiate a request for proposal (RFP) to renew photo radar services for the next three years.

According to a report submitted to council by the Town’s manager of protective services, Greg Burt, Global Traffic Group Ltd. has provided Canmore with 24 hours of photo radar services per week since March, 2007. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

‘Stellar’ evening for Mayor’s Spotlight on the Arts

The Community Public Art Committee in Canmore has managed to top itself yet again.

Last Friday (Sept. 28) the group, along with Mayor John Borrownman, hosted the annual Mayor’s Spotlight on the Arts, which celebrates and honours those who have contributed to the arts in the community with an evening of song, dance, visual art and this year, a keynote speaker from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

“I thought it was stellar,” Borrowman said afterwards. “It was such a great Canmore event with Canmore spirit. With my background in the arts, I do have a soft spot for the arts sector. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.