2012

Town approves new arts centre

The Town of Canmore has taken the opportunity to create a vibrant centre for the arts that will fulfill a long held need and engage the whole community.

On Tuesday (Nov. 6), the community arts centre advisory committee made its final push for council to adopt a plan to redevelop the library, which will move to Elevation Place next year, for a space that will showcase, provide programs and act as a central hub for artists in the community.

“Canmore holds a true grassroots movement. Artists and volunteer groups have invested time and effort to grow their art. The dedication of those people has brought the Canmore arts scene to where it is today,” said Dea Fischer, chair of the committee during her presentation to council. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Alberta Liberal candidate set to create political diversity

The Liberal Party is looking to bounce back from a dismal performance in last year’s federal election and, according to local candidate Harvey Locke, that resurgence starts with a win in the newly vacant seat of Calgary-Centre.

A well-known figure in the Bow Valley through his environmental efforts as well as having resided in Banff for numerous years, Locke secured the nod to represent the Liberals to contend for the seat left open by Lee Richardson, who is now the principal secretary for Premier Alison Redford.

Running on a campaign that emphasizes redefining what a 21st century Liberal is, the newly-chosen candidate is confident his party’s values are what the majority of Albertans want to see within their government. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

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 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.

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.