📈$6.5 Million in Parking Fees

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Welcome to October. Cue the pumpkin-spiced lattes, ski passes, and horror movies.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• The Mountain Farmer’s Market ends this week

• Popular Canmore cafe closes its doors

• Olympic athlete shows off gold medal in Banff

Let’s get to it!

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

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BANFF TO MAKE $6.5 MILLION FROM PARKING

What’s happening: It is estimated that by the end of 2024, the Town of Banff will have generated $6.5 million from paid parking fees, $2 million more than budgeted. 

Why? The bump is thanks to increased hourly rates ($6/hr peak season, $5/hr winter) and more paid spots in the Bear Street Parkade. These changes went live in May, and it’s paying off—literally.

Mayor DiManno’s Take. “This is great news,” said Mayor Corrie DiManno. She emphasized that the boost helps fund Banff's sustainable transportation initiatives, benefiting both visitors and locals.

$3 Million Surplus on the Horizon. The Town’s 2024 second-quarter financials show a potential $3 million year-end net surplus, with $7 million in extra revenue and $4 million in additional expenses. Of this, $2.7 million is already earmarked for specific uses, leaving $349,000 as an unrestricted cushion.

THE DIGEST

• 🚠New lifts and upgrades for the “Big 3” ski resorts. Sunshine's new Super Angel Chairlift now offers heated bucket seats, footrests, and a weather bubble. Lake Louise debuts the Pipestone Express, a speedy heated chairlift with footrests. Mt. Norquay has increased glading, promising more powder and adventure on the tree runs.

• 👣Hundreds gathered for the fourth annual Every Child Matters Walk, trekking from McDougall Memorial United Church to Morley United Church. Organizer Eve Powder was moved by the turnout, reflecting on the painful legacy of residential schools. Survivors shared their stories, emphasizing the importance of ongoing dialogue for healing and reconciliation.

• 👊Canadian Olympians, Jerome Blake and Molly Simpson were the official starters for Melissa's Road Race in Banff. Jerome was part of the 4X100m relay team in Paris, providing Canada with one of its most exciting Olympic gold medals in history. Molly, a 21-year-old Olympic BMX rider from Red Deer, made the championship final at the Paris Games, finishing 5th!  

• ❗Banff has withdrawn its bid to host the RCMP Musical Ride in 2025, citing a conflict with its peak season events policy. The estimated $120,400 budget also posed challenges. Mayor Corrie DiManno emphasized the importance of adhering to event policies and minimizing tax impact during a tough budget year.

• 🔒Take A Hike Market, a beloved Canmore café known for brunch and local groceries, has closed after two years. Owner Amanda announced the closure on September 29, citing personal challenges. The café will be deeply missed by the community.

• 🚣🏻‍♀️An Instagram model shared kayaking and hiking in Banff with her 12 million Instagram followers. 

CANMORE WELLHEAD PROTECTION AREA TO DOUBLE IN SIZE

What’s happening?  Canmore plans to double the size of its wellhead protection area, increasing protected properties from 201 to 455. The goal? Safeguard local drinking water from contaminants.

Why Now? A new study suggests expanding the zone to protect against potential risks like chemical spills and stormwater runoff. The protection area now includes Bow Valley Trail and extends into Teepee Town and downtown Canmore.

Next Steps: Monitoring wells, land use updates, and regular protection reviews are in the works, with budget considerations expected in 2025. It’s all about preventing contamination rather than facing costly cleanups later.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Meet and chat with local RCMP! Coffee with a Cop is at Banff Mcdonald’s from 10am-11am. 

• Get your Halloween costume ready! Exchange any Halloween outfits at Banff Library’s Costume Swap, 6:30pm-8:30pm. 

• Watch a free film and discussion about hidden identities Artsplace Cultural Learning Circle is showing Café Daughter about a Chinese Cree girl who is told to keep her identity secret in 1960s Saskatchewan, 7pm-9:30pm.  

• Watch Food, Inc. 2 for free! Canmore Library is hosting another movie night in the Friends of the Library Program Room at 7pm. Popcorn provided.

Thursday

• Visit the Canmore Farmer’s Market for the last time! This is the last day of the season for the farmer’s market at Elevation Place, 10am-6pm.

• Ready, Set, Game! Exshaw Legion is hosting a free Games Night, 6pm. 

• Are you ready to eat for better health? Join the Nutrition Essentials free class with a registered dietician. Register for either in-person or online, 6pm-7:30pm. The class will teach the basics of nutrition, label reading, and common myths. 

• Make ceramic plates using Bow Valley plants and clay! Healing Plants and Clay workshop will teach you how to take healing plants and make impressions into clay to create your own plates. This workshop is $47 at Artsplace between 6:30pm and 9pm. 

• Hear readings from award-winning authors! Faculty members from Early Career Writers of Fiction will be reading their work at Banff Centre: Bentley Chamber Music Studio at 7pm.  

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🐻There is a bear closure at Rockwall Trail and Peter Lougheed Discovery Centre Meadow after multiple grizzlies were spotted in the area. 

• 🛼The Town of Canmore offers sensory-friendly recreation programs this fall, like Sensory Friendly Weight Room hours, public skating every Wednesday, and Sensory Friendly Climbing Gym Hour every Thursday.

• 🏛️On the first Thursday of every month, the Canmore Museum is open late with free admission! This is a great opportunity for all community members to explore their current exhibits.

• 🚴Do you like cycling but don’t want to face the impending cold weather? Rock Cycle in Canmore may be for you! They’re hosting a fitness challenge in October to win a 3-month membership. 

• 🎸Join the Bow Valley SPCA on Friday, October 18th, at 5 PM at the Canmore Golf & Curling Club for an evening of live music by Mike Petroff and Sue Chick Denton, a classic fall buffet, and drinks—all supporting rescue cats and dogs. Tickets: $50 for buffet + concert, $25 for concert only. Get yours here!

• 🌈Banff Pride kicks off this weekend. Check out the full celebrations and schedule here.

• 🎉Happy Hour Specials at the Drake from 12pm-3pm for just $11. Wednesday’s plate is Smoked Brisket with Mashed Potatoes and Thursday is a Swiss Onion Ring Burger with a Side. 

• 🪷Congratulations to Wildflower Massage and Esthetics for reaching their 18th birthday! To celebrate, they are doing giveaways and surprises throughout October. 

• 🧒Do you have a child aged 10-13 interested in climbing in a small group? Climbing Adventure Kids in Elevation Place only has two kids currently signed up and will cancel if there isn’t more interest. The classes are scheduled for Wednesdays from 3:45pm-5:10pm from October 23rd to December 11th.

CIVIC NEWS

• The Town of Banff still seeks public viewpoints on childcare needs and car sharing. You can have your say by filling out the surveys (and the chance to win a Nesters’ gift card).

• Upcoming Council Meetings

  • MD Bighorn Regular Council Meeting, Tuesday October 8th, 9am

  • Town of Banff Regular Council Meeting, Tuesday October 15th, 2pm

  • Town of Canmore Committee of the Whole Meeting, Tuesday October 15th, 1pm 

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, October 2nd, 6pm-9pm: Steph O’dette at Farm and Fire.

• Wednesday, October 2nd, 10pm: Vibes with DJ Bunny Hops. Location: High Rollers, Banff. 

• Thursday, October 3rd, 4pm-6pm: Steph O’dette at Bison Patio.

• Thursday, October 3rd, 7:30pm: Violin and Viola set with Petr Holman & Marie Hasoňová. Location: Arts Place, Canmore. Tickets are $35.

• Thursday, October 3rd, 9pm: Acoustic Tunes with Arn & DJ Eamonn. Location: High Rollers, Banff. 

SPORTS

• Nelson hosted the Rob Wright West Kootenay Open Tennis Tournament last weekend, which saw Canmore locals Ron Remple and Jim Baergren win the men’s doubles. 

• Canmore Wolverines defeated Spartans in high school football keeping them at the top this season with 4-0. 

That’s all, folks!

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