⛑️ K-Country Rescue Overhaul + New Road Work

Good morning, Bow Valley!

On Wednesday, I asked about plans for the longest day of the year, and Chrissie shared, “Just a deck project underway, which is sucking up time and dollars quickly!”

Here’s to Chrissie and all of us enjoying plenty of patio time this summer.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider: 

• Kananaskis Emergency Services revamps their rescue services

• Canadian Rockies Public Schools has a new educational plan

• A fatality at a worksite in Canmore
  
  + Some local deals for the weekend

Let’s get to it!

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

Want to advertise to Bow Valley locals? Fill out this quick form

BLAZING TRAILS: KANANASKIS’ FIRE AND RESCUE REVAMP

What’s happening: Kananaskis Emergency Services is making some big moves to streamline its fire and rescue operations across the region. 

How they’re doing it: They’re standardizing agreements with neighboring municipalities for fire and rescue help. Before this, some agreements were informal and didn’t always track response data.

Logistics: The goal is to create one consistent framework across all five districts they serve, which includes coordinating with the province, Indigenous communities, and nearby towns. They’ve started using a new data system to track responses and payments more accurately, which should help them understand where and how services are being used.

Why it matters: Basically, they’re trying to get a better grip on how emergency services are delivered throughout Kananaskis. By getting everyone on the same page with these agreements and tracking data properly, they can ensure quicker and more efficient responses, especially considering the tough geography and terrain they often deal with.

THE DIGEST

• 🚧Keep an eye out for road work on Mountain Ave. Expect one lane with flaggers controlling traffic due to asphalt paving until Friday, causing some delays. If the weather messes things up, they might also work on Saturday to finish up. It looked like total gridlock yesterday for anyone in the area.
  
  

• 🏫Have you heard about the Banff School of Rock? Jean Michel Lamothe is our local "Jack Black" there. He recently led youth band "Nameless" in their debut performance at Melissa's on June 14. Big shoutout to Dev Thakur, Finn Shackleton, Jasper Bachman-Sorochan, Ryder Cook, Fergus Langer-McIntosh, and everyone else involved—it was an awesome show!
  
  

• 🏥A construction worker dies after falling two stories in Canmore.

• 🗻The plan to spruce up 2nd Ave. in Dead Man’s Flats just got pricier— from $2.5 million to $3.5 million. This includes adding a new pathway, extending sidewalks, installing crosswalks, and improving stormwater drainage. Inflation, stormwater upgrades, and additional landscaping are driving up the costs.
  
  

• 🏞️Alberta started a public feedback session for their new Plan for Parks. It’s a chance for folks to weigh in on everything from recreation trends and environmental stewardship to reconciliation efforts and enhancing visitor experiences. Take the survey!
  
  

• 🛤Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission is moving into its new space at the old fire hall in Canmore!

CRPS WANT TO KEEP CLASS SIZES LOW FOR K-12, OFFER ENVIRONMENTAL COURSES, & MORE

What's Happening: Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS) is developing a new educational plan for the next four years.

The Background: They’ve been busy since last fall gathering input for their 2025-29 education blueprint, which wraps up early next year. They’re talking to everyone—students, parents, staff, and community members—to shape their strategy.

The Game Plan: Superintendent Chris MacPhee is all about building on their track record of student success and academic excellence, with a big focus on community collaboration.

Community Input: One cool outcome from their community talks is a plan for environmental sustainability courses, sparked by input from local workforce and business folks in Canmore and Banff. They’re also learning from past plans, like their current 2021-25 strategy that’s all about student well-being across the board—physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual

Why It Matters: CRPS isn’t just about numbers—they’re seeing real results. For instance, they’ve boosted high school completion rates for Indigenous students, exceeding provincial averages despite COVID-related challenges. 

Looking Ahead: CRPS schools aim to keep classes small, unlike other provinces where overcrowding is a headache. They boast manageable class sizes, averaging around 19 to 21 students per class from K to 12.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Powwow for National Indigenous People’s Day, June 21, 10:30 AM. Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda Nation has partnered with the Town of Canmore to provide a free shuttle to its traditional powwow at the Goodstoney Arena. Shuttle leaves from Elevation Place, Canmore. Free.
  
  

• Afternoon of Indigenous Culture for National Indigenous People’s Day, June 21, 12- 6 PM. The Town of Banff is hosting a lineup of performances, food adventures, cultural chit-chats, and more, thanks to the Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity and the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. Banff Central Park, Banff. Free.
  
  

• Physical Literacy Play Day, June 21, 1-3 PM. Master the art of movement by trying out Canmore Public Library’s physical literacy kits– soccer, bocce, and more! Elevation Place Outdoor Plaza, Canmore. Free.
  
  

• Friday Night Comedy, June 21, 7:30 PM. Let laughter be your cardio with Canada’s Got Talent Finalist and Comedian Sterling Scott. ArtsPlace, Canmore. $25/ $21.25 for members.
  
  

• Full Moon Paddle, June 21, 8 PM. Celebrate Summer Solstice with a pick-up full moon paddle. Rundle Forebay, Canmore. Free.

Saturday

• Brewery Tours, Saturdays, 3:30 PM. Explore Sheepdog Brewery and learn about the brewery process. Sheepdog Brewing, Canmore. $25.
  
  

• Full Moon Swap, June 22, 10 AM- 2 PM. Celebrate the strawberry moon with a community swap of all things summery–clothing, hats, sunglasses, sneakers and sandals, yard games, sprinklers, and more. Canmore Public Library, Canmore. Free.
  
  

• Music, Pizza, and Beer at the Uprising Lounge, June 22, 2-9 PM. Uprising Bakery’s owner and baker, Patrik, will be showing off his DJ skills with a special set. Uprising Bakery, Canmore.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🤝Bow Valley Community Connection, a non-profit connecting people with developmental disabilities to the Canmore community, still needs a volunteer for a cashier at their Casino Fundraiser on June 22nd.
  
  

• 🏞️The Pika and Ptarmigan Valley Viewpoint trails accessed from Lake Louise Summer Gondola are closed due to Long-Range Plan construction, but there’s still plenty of scenery to enjoy.
  
  

• 🚣🏻Bow Valley locals, ride the Lake Louise Gondola for just a $5 charity donation from June 20-26.
  
  

• 🎸Canada The Musical is back and better than ever! Enjoy 90 minutes of awesome Canadian music, Wednesday to Sunday, all summer. Tickets $35.
  
  

• 🎤Check out Tavern 1883's Mountain Hour, where the spirits are high and so is the altitude. 40% off all food and drinks from Sunday to Friday, 2-4 PM.
  
  

• 🍹Swing by The Drake Pub for a double-header of Euro Cup and Stanley Cup action! They've got specials and daily schedules!
  
  

• 🐕Did you know our Bow Valley SPCA is one of the few no-kill, no-cage shelters in Canada? Daisy, Bedard, and Hope have been waiting for over a year for their forever homes.
  
  

• 🎿Lake Louise Ski Resort is wheelie excited to introduce Park to Pint, a biking challenge along the Bow Valley Parkway. They are offering e-bike rentals for those without their own bike.
  
  

• 🏛️Did you know Banff Public Library now has a Little Free Pantry? It's stocked with non-perishable food, bread from Banff Food Rescue, and hygiene products, thanks to community support and grants. The Little Free Pantry shelf was built by students at BCHS.

CIVIC NEWS

• During the Human-Wildlife Co-existence Roundtable in Canmore, a new bylaw was introduced that aims to address the increasing interactions between wildlife and pets, particularly dogs. Expect more details about this bylaw as it develops.
  
  

• I reported on Wednesday that Canmore City Council is looking to create a “Primary Resident Sublass” to encourage people to live full-time in their homes.   Here’s how it would work: Properties would be categorized differently (primary residence, vacation home, etc). Full-time residents would pay a lower tax rate, and non-residents pay a higher rate.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, June 21, 9 PM: Genre-spanning country-blues, funk, and soul with Rubber Tire Peep Show. $11.98. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. Tickets here.
  
  

• Friday, June 21, 7:30 PM: An evening of song with Jah'kota, an Afro-Indigenous hip-hop and R&B artist. Free. Location: Jenny Belzberg Theatre, Banff Centre, Banff.
  
  

• Friday, June 21- Saturday, June 22, 10 PM: Reggae ska with Skaravan. No cover. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff.
  
  

• Saturday, June 22, 10 PM: Dance the night away with Bow Valley fave the TrebleMakers. $20. Location: Canmore Legion, Canmore.
  
  

• Saturday, June 22, 7 and 9 PM: Catch Australian singer songwriter Jaiden Riley at 7, with a special appearance by songcrafter Brett Cassidy at 9. Dance the night away with Bow Valley fave the TrebleMakers. Location: Canmore Hotel, Canmore.

SPORTS

• Kim Glass, an Olympic volleyball player, reflects on her iconic 2011 Sports Illustrated shoot in Banff with photographer Stephan Wurth.
  
  

• The Banff Bears rugby team had a challenging start to their season, losing their first four games, including a 35-0 defeat by the Calgary Hornets. Coach Andrew Mitchell notes defensive improvements and center Nate Wilson emphasizes team cohesion and reducing errors. The Bears aim to turn their season around in their next home game against the Calgary Saracens on June 22.

That’s all, folks!

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

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://classic.avantlink.com/affiliate_app_confirm.php?mode=js&authResponse=909773af6297c195df79f7cdb817b2436817c1c6"></script>