Opinion

Council to weigh fencing, corridor on Three Sisters

Canmore Town council will face a tough decision next week as it evaluates a Sustainable Screening Report (SSR) concerning proposed development on land within Three Sisters Mountain Village (TSMV).

If approved, the development could, according to estimates, increase the town’s population by 10,000 people.

Over the last week and a half some residents, especially those already living in TSMV, have voiced their opposition to the proposal after the receiver in charge, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), laid out the draft plan for development.

Last Wednesday (Feb. 27), more than 90 residents gathered at St. Michael’s Hall in Canmore for a presentation from local conservation groups regarding what some local experts feel is a major issue with the proposed development having a significant impact on the wildlife corridor adjacent to TSMV. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Paraglider crashes into Lady Mac

Public Safety specialists from Alberta Parks say several people are lucky to be alive after two crashes involving a paraglider in Canmore and a hot air balloon in Kananaskis Country occurred over the past week.

The first incident happened Thursday (Feb. 14), when Alberta Parks received a call at about 1:30 p.m. regarding a 38-year-old male paraglider who crashed after launching off Mount Lady Macdonald.

“He had crashed his paraglider a couple of hundred metres below the tea house,” said public safety specialist Jeremy Mackenzie.

Accompanied by a paramedic from Canmore Fire as well as two other Alberta Parks staff, the rescue team was slung into the site to assess and package the wounded man, now identified as Andrew Wexler of Canmore. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Canmore council turns down Stewart Creek development

After a lengthy debate between members of the public and councillors regarding a proposed development on Stewart Creek Golf Course, Canmore Town council did not approve a required Sustainability Screening Report (SSR) application due to the site’s location adjacent to a wildlife corridor and its lack of providing an overall benefit to the town.

Canmore council held a special meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 12), where it heard presentations from the applicant as well as members from the public concerning the plan to develop 20 cabins, or houses, near the golf clubhouse.

According to the agenda package given to council before the SSR hearing, the proposed land use development is in accordance with the existing Three Sisters Mountain Village Stewart Creek Area Structure Plan (ASP) from 2004. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Banff Centre partners with advanced research institute

A new partnership between two renowned institutions will explore ways in which both science and the arts are connected and further develop the skills people in each discipline face.

On Thursday (Feb. 7), The Banff Centre hosted a roundtable discussion to announce its partnership with The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), a move that began with an idea between the leaders of each organization.

Originally established in 1982, CIFAR is an independent research institute focused on bringing together internationally respected scholars/scientists and addressing major global questions and challenges. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Crowd gathers for chain store public hearing in Banff

A packed council chambers in Banff played host to a public hearing last Thursday (Jan. 31) concerning one of the more heated topics affecting the small mountain town – whether quotas should be put in place to regulate the number of chain stores.

Banff council passed first reading of proposed bylaw 314 this past September, which would create a quota system to control corporate or formula-based chain stores and restaurants in town.

As part of first reading, council was required to hold a formal public hearing before the issue is brought back at the next meeting on Feb. 25. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Council opts for temporary skating oval for 2014 games

Council has elected to go ahead with a plan to build a temporary 400-metre outdoor skating oval in anticipation of next winter’s Alberta Winter Games, which is being co-hosted by Banff and Canmore.

Last month, organizers of the 2014 Games made a presentation to council requesting a permanent skating oval be put in place at Millennium Park to host long track speed skating events and have year-round potential for indoor soccer and tennis.

The intent of the proposal was to create a lasting Games legacy that would also increase accessible skating opportunities, economic activity associated with competitions and increase sports tourism and sport development. Read the fully story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Banff residents fight for obstetrics

The upcoming closure of the maternity ward at Banff’s Mineral Springs Hospital has led some residents to protest the decision, but hospital officials insist mothers and babies will benefit from increased safety measures.

Last Thursday (Jan. 24), over 50 people attended a rally at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Banff for an information session and to protest closure of the maternity ward.

Labour and maternity services are set to move to Canmore General Hospital near the end of March.

Organized by volunteers uniting under the banner Hatch, Patch and Dispatch, a reference to the types of services they believe community hospitals should offer, the event was also a chance to deliver a clear message to Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Covenant Health. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Blake Richards MP talks pipelines, budget and hot springs

In the first ever tele-townhall for the Wild Rose constituency, member of Parliament Blake Richards answered questions from residents on Monday (Jan. 21) concerning a variety of issues such as natural resources, privatization of local hot springs and the federal government’s commitment to achieving a balanced budget.

Using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology, the MP engaged in a public question period where more than 3,700 people from across the constituency were contacted and asked to participate. Submissions sent via e-mail were also addressed in the hour-long conference.

Several of the questions put to Richards during the conference dealt specifically with the country’s natural resources, predominately the oil and gas industry and potential impacts on the environment. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

MP responds to Idle No More protest in Banff

Since forming at a general educational session in Saskatoon this past November, Idle No More protests by members and non-members of First Nations across the country have been both peaceful and, at times, disruptive.

The protest that occurred near Cascade Mall in Banff last weekend was peaceful, however, another in Calgary led to the closure of a bridge with police still to determine whether charges will be laid.

Wild Rose Member of Parliament Blake Richards responded to the recent local protest before meeting on Wednesday (Jan. 16) with three chiefs from the Stoney Nakoda First Nation to discuss economic development opportunities. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Terms of reference for Three Sisters approved

A terms of reference document for a new area structure plan (ASP) regarding the future of Three Sisters Mountain Village (TSMV) will ensure appropriate environmental policies are created and development on land will not take place until the area known as Site 9 is transferred to a conservation society, council decided, Tuesday (Dec. 18).

Canmore council debated the outline for the ASP presented by Three Sisters receiver PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), at length on Tuesday.

Since February 2009, TSMV has been in a court-ordered receivership and accumulated approximately $115 million in debt. The Town approved a framework agreement last month, as well as terms of reference for an environmental impact statement (EIS). Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.