Undermining

Sinkhole repair in Three Sisters gets approval

Canmore Town council has added a new capital project for this year that will permanently remediate a nearly five metre deep sinkhole in Three Sisters Mountain Village.

Late last year, Mayor John Borrowman announced the Town had received a $600,000 grant from the Province to fix the hole, located along a municipal pathway near Dyrgas Gate that formed in May 2010.

At its regular meeting on Tuesday (May 21), members of council voted unanimously to proceed with a capital project to fix the sinkhole, which was the result of an airshaft from Seam No. 4 in the No. 4 mine. The mine was closed in the 1940s.

In a presentation to council, Town manager of engineering services Andy Esarte indicated a significant amount of discussion had taken place regarding liability for potential sinkholes created from developing on undermined lands.

Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Residents gather for Three Sisters info ahead of public hearing

The debate surrounding a massive project for the remaining 80 per cent of developable land in Canmore has garnered increased attention since Town council unanimously delayed first reading of a new area structure plan (ASP) last week.

That interest was on full display Friday (May 3) when more than 200 people packed the Canmore Seniors’ Centre for a presentation by local experts regarding proposed development in Three Sisters Mountain Village.

“A whole lot of people care a whole lot about this Valley,” said Gareth Thomson at the presentation before introducing the guest speakers.

Following council’s decision to delay first reading of the ASP due to the belief it would not have received a majority of votes from councillors to pass and therefore end the months-long process, residents concerned with the development have stepped up their efforts ahead of a public hearing next Wednesday (May 15).

The main issues local experts, as well as those currently living near the possible development have, surrounds the wildlife corridor adjacent to the proposal and the risks associated with building on undermined lands.

Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.