Canmore

Capital budget worth $14.5 million passed

Canmore council has approved a capital budget worth $14.5 million that includes funds for the Legacy Trail, Community Arts Centre and redevelopment of the pool at the Rec Centre once Elevation Place opens next year.

Following debates at 10 budget committee meetings a few weeks ago involving this year’s budget as well as the five-year capital plan, debt levels, reserves and expected grants, council voted unanimously in favour of the budget on Dec. 5.

There are currently 42 individual capital projects slated to take place next year, which involve $6.5 million for solid waste and utilities and another $8 million for other Town operations. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Framework approved for Three Sisters Mountain Village

Unlike last week’s public meeting where a packed council chamber heard plans that could finally move the town’s largest area of undeveloped land out of receivership, about 30 people were present for council’s approval of a framework agreement on Tuesday (Nov. 20) that outlines the process leading up to an eventual decision in spring.

Three Sisters Mountain Village, which is currently managed by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) through a court-ordered receivership, has accumulated around $115 million in debt, but could be ready for development sometime next year.

The Town’s general manager of municipal infrastructure, Gary Buxton, presented the framework, answered questions from council and stated clearly that the Town is not bound to the contents in the framework and the decision will be made by council following a public process. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

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.

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.

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.

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.