💰 $375K Banff Sign

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Thank you so much for your support in Friday’s poll about the Bow Valley Insider Membership Card—85% of you support the idea! We’re excited to share that we’re talking with local restaurants about bringing you discounts at some of our favorite spots. We’re working hard to make this happen, so stay tuned for the launch!

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Tourists get nostalgic over the Banff sign moving 

• An accident on Friday sends a woman to hospital

• Canmore local finishes top 20 in the world

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan, Shireen Ahmed, Lauren H., & Ben S.

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BANFF’S $350K SELFIE SPOT ON THE MOVE 

What’s Happening? Banff’s iconic $350,000 sign, a selfie staple since 2017, is set to relocate to ease traffic congestion along Mount Norquay Avenue, where 17,000 vehicles pass daily during peak season. With pedestrian safety top of mind, officials say a new location—likely near the train station—could be ready by next summer.

A Memory Worth Keeping. Tourists like Mike Jones from Fort McMurray see the sign as a “memory” from their travels, while Minneapolis visitor Alissa Kittelson, thrilled to have her family photo, says, “I’d be sad to see it moved.”

Success with Consequences. The sign’s popularity brought unexpected challenges. Banff’s director of planning, Darren Enns, says that despite the sentimental attachment, the move is essential to create a “more pedestrian-oriented environment.”

What’s Next? If plans go smoothly, Banff’s beloved sign will continue offering that perfect photo op—just in a safer, more accessible location by next summer.

THE DIGEST

• 🐻 A tourist was spotted dangerously close to a bear in Banff, prompting online backlash. Wildlife photographers emphasized keeping distance, as such encounters can lead to tragic outcomes for both humans and animals. Bears used to human contact often become “public safety threats,” sometimes resulting in euthanasia to prevent risks.

• 🎿 Alberta’s ski season is nearly here! Mt. Norquay kicks things off on November 2, followed by Nakiska, Lake Louise, and Banff Sunshine on November 8. Keep your gear ready and eyes on the snow forecast!

• 🚁 A 65-year-old woman from Lac Des Arc was airlifted to Calgary’s Foothills Medical Centre following a single-vehicle rollover east of Canmore on Friday.  Reports indicated a possible ejection of the lone passenger from the vehicle. 

• 🚆 Ever wonder what it’s like to ride through the Canadian Rockies in a glass-roofed train? The Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West offers breathtaking views and luxurious experiences. From gourmet meals to scenic stops, it’s a bucket-list trip. Read a firsthand account.

• In a major shift, the Banff Marathon is dropping its full marathon distance in 2025, rebranding as the “Banff Half and 10K.” This change spotlights the popular half marathon while reducing environmental impact on Banff National Park. The June 15 event includes a Health Expo, Yoga in the Park, and more. Registration opens Oct 29.

$30 MILLION DOLLAR MISTAKE? 

What Happened? More than $30 million was wrongly added to the Town of Canmore's off-site levy bylaw. 

What the heck are off-site levies? Municipalities like Canmore impose fees on developers of new projects to cover infrastructure needs like water, wastewater, roads, and stormwater. These costs are shared between municipalities and developers, ensuring growth pays for growth, with infrastructure that benefits existing residents being shared.

Town Said, Developer Said. The Town acknowledges some errors but prefers fixing them rather than scrapping the whole bylaw, which would cause financial losses. Developers argue the Town didn't consult properly and is being unfair, while the Town believes the developers' demands are excessive.

Now what? Both the Town and Developers must now wait for a decision from the Land and Property Rights Tribunal, who could amend the bylaw, repeal it, or leave it as is. This case could set a precedent for future development charges in Alberta.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Family Swim. Make a splash with the whole family. 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Elevation Place.

• Strengthen and restore with this low-impact Pilates session. Perfect for injury recovery. Ages 16+. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, The Fenlands, drop-in.

• Miss the smell of home-baked cookies?  Uncover baking secrets and enjoy fresh cookies at Cookie Kitchens. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Pioneer Room, Banff residents only, $3 (includes ingredients).

• Explore mountain voices in mountaineering and skiing, from the Swiss Alps to the Rockies, in a moderated conversation on global perspectives. 7:00 PM, Whyte Museum, free with advance registration required.

• Get your game on. Volleyball night for adults 16+. 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM, Lawrence Grassi, $5 to play.

Tuesday

• Get your pottery on. Discover your creative side with Banff Life’s Community Pottery Program. Limited spots available! 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM, Artsplace.

• Meet new locals. Play games, enjoy free drinks and baked goods at Banff Life’s winter social. 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM, Wild Flour Bakery, drop-in.

• Live a happier life. Learn practical happiness tips in this free class by Bow Valley Primary Care Network. Join in-person or online. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, location TBA.

• Halloween crafts. A kids' Halloween tote bag party. Stencils and materials included. 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM, Canmore Legion, $25.

• Clean energy conversations. Explore Earth Talks featuring experts on heat pumps and energy reduction tips. 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Canmore Public Library.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 👻 It's costume week at Banff Library storytime from Oct 26-31. Bring your little ones in costume! Tuesday at 10:30 AM for babies, Thursday at 2 PM for preschoolers.

• 🍴 Fine dining with wine pairings at Sauvage, hosted by Wine Alliance. $85 per person, all-inclusive.

• 🏔️ With early snowfall, Scout’s Hall Emergency Winter Shelter reopens 40 days early on Nov 1.

• 📳 Get real-time alerts (or texts) with Voyant for snow-related parking bans in Field, Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, MD Bighorn, and KID.

• 🍕 If you’re in Banff, stop by Bear Street Tavern for 50% off pizzas from 5pm today.

• 🐕 Adoption Centre Manager Daisy Hilchey joined Mountain FM to discuss pets, volunteering, and pet-friendly housing.

• 🎟️ Support Rocky Mountain Adaptive and Bow Valley Equine Adaptive by purchasing 50/50 tickets at Banff Beer Fest!

• 🎨 Applications open for the HeARTburn 2025 Group Exhibition and Art Grant Program. Apply now!

• 🕯️ Save the date for a candlelight concert with John and Hannah at St. Michael’s Church Hall on Nov 10.

• 💰 In just four hours, $2,500 was raised to send Kohen, a 3.5-year-old Pitbull mix, to veterinary specialists.

CIVIC NEWS

• It’s a full calendar this week in the MD of Bighorn. The Transportation Committee meets Monday, Governance and Priorities Committee meets on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, it’s the Municipal Planning Commission’s turn. More details on the full calendar.
  
  

• The Banff Council Chambers are fully booked today, too, with meetings at 9:00 am, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. On the Regular Council agenda, requests for decisions on Wildfire Risk Reductions and FireSmart.

LIVE MUSIC

• Get your costume karaoke on! Monday at The Drake from 10 PM and Tuesday at Melissa's MisSteak with Andrew Staygold

• Turn it up. Resident DJs will be spinning on Monday and Tuesday at High Rollers.

SPORTS

• World Cup action in Austria saw Britt Richardson of Canmore finish 17th on Saturday at the Soelden World Cup giant slalom race with a time of 2:18.59. She was the top Canadian finisher.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Wednesday, same time, same place!