October

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.

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.