February

Three Sisters residents rally for wildlife corridor

Public hearings regarding proposed development on Three Sisters lands are set to take place over the next few months and some residents from the area in question have joined together to ensure their voices and concerns are heard by both the receiver and members of Canmore council.

Following a Feb. 11 meeting hosted by Three Sisters receiver PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which outlined plans for development and, according to witnesses, turned into a heated dispute, a subgroup of resident stakeholders has prepared a list of principles they feel should be adhered to before any development is considered.

The four principles are derived from the Town’s municipal development plan (MDP) and are as follows: preserve and protect the environment with viable wildlife corridors and habitat, actively involve the community with a “Made in Canmore” solution, mitigate and avoid undermining and preserve the integrity of adjacent lands. 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.