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Good morning, Bow Valley!

This is Bow Valley Insider, the tacos of local news and events. Everybody likes tacos.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• NHL goaltender Chris Driedger buys holiday home in the Bow Valley

• Have your say on Alberta’s Plan for Parks

• Multiple grizzlies were spotted at Rawson Lake

Let’s get to it!

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

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ALBERTA’S PLAN FOR PARKS NEEDS PUBLIC FEEDBACK

What’s happening: The Government of Alberta seeks feedback from Albertans on the new Plan for Parks, which aims to enhance visitor experience with better information, modern facilities, an online reservation system, and science-based management. The plan also includes securing new land and promoting safe, responsible recreation.

Concerns: Some conservationists say the plan seems to prioritize economic development and unsustainable levels of tourism at the expense of the conservation and ecological integrity of our parks.   Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) says that providing recreation while protecting nature will be the best solution.

Numbers: The Plan for Parks includes 78 provincial parks, 193 provincial recreation areas and 34 wildland provincial parks but CPAWS want them to increase the number of parks as only 15% of Alberta is protected.

Have your say: You can fill out the survey for Plan for Parks here by August 18th. 

THE DIGEST

• 👷🏻Today, from 10am, there’ll be crews at the Railway Ave & Highway 1A Intersection in Canmore to adjust signal timing. No word on how long disruptions will take.  If you already don’t like traveling through this intersection, best to avoid it this morning. 

• 🚨An adult and child were airlifted to hospital after a multi-vehicle rear-end collision in Field on July 18th. Both were transported to Foothills Hospital in Calgary, with the adult in life-threatening condition.  

• 🦃A wild turkey was spotted at Peter Lougheed Park and is estimated to have walked about 50km to get there! Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) is working to increase wild turkey populations by translocating birds from British Columbia.

• 🎰An Exshaw local, Robert Naylor, won $25,000 as part of the 2024 Stampede Lottery!  You can check out the complete list of winners here.

• 🐻Another day, another couple of bear warnings.  There’s a bear closure at Rawson Lake Trail and Sarrail Ridge following multiple Grizzlies in the area. Plus, a bluff charge from a black bear with two cubs prompted a warning for Ribbon Creek Trail in Kananaskis Country. 

BOW VALLEY VACATION HOMES UP FOR SALE

What’s happening: Construction is underway for 24 homes east of Brewster's Kananaskis Ranch. With no residency restrictions, this will be the first community in the Bow Valley to allow residents to rent out these houses as long or short-term destination homes.

Housing situation: Since Covid, there’s been a rise in demand for recreational properties as people wanted to work from lakefronts and mountain tops. According to Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert, they are undertaking an approach to address the housing crisis, which includes providing non-market housing.

Prices: The lots start at $585,000. NHL goaltender Chris Driedger of the Florida Panthers was among the first to buy a lot.

Timeline: The basic construction was completed at the end of May, owner possession has been available since June 1st with the completion expected in the next six to eight months.

Fun fact: The Brewster's Kananaskis Guest Ranch was launched by Missy Bagley Brewster in 1922 and has been the backdrop for Hollywood blockbusters like The River of No Return (1954), Dances with Wolves (1990), Legends of the Fall (1994) and The Revenant (2015).

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Are you a foreign worker and want information on working in the Bow Valley? There is a drop-in session between 1pm and 4pm at Banff Public Library. Registration is required. 

• Disc Golf for Adults! Try Disc Golf for free, 3pm-5:30pm at Canmore Nordic Centre. Registration Required.

• Fancy an indoor swim? Public swimming at Sally Borden Pool between 4:30pm and 7:30pm is just $2 for Banff residents 5 and over.

• Join a communal run! Rockies Run Collective is hosting the star wars loop from 6:30pm at lululemon in Banff and is free to join. 

• Do outdoor free yoga! Yoga in the Park is from 8pm-9pm in Riverside Park, Canmore. Free to participate. 

• Don’t let this deal get past-a you! Ravioli Night at Sandtraps, Canmore Golf and Curling Club are doing Honey Butternut Squash from $20.50, 11am-9pm. 

• Swap your unwanted clothes for wanted clothes! Last Temptation Vintage is holding a free Clothing Swap, 8pm-10pm.    

Tuesday

• Caregivers can help babies with language skills in Canmore! Books for Babies includes songs and books at a free drop-in session between 10:30am and 11am at Canmore Library. 

• And there’s also the same thing in Banff! Baby Storytime is also held for free between 10:30am and 11am at Banff Library.

• Yoga and Mindfulness in Banff: Kids (6-9) from 1-2pm and Tweens (9-13) from 3-4pm a Banff Libary, for free. 

• Family arts and crafts! Arts Under the Sea is a weekly program for kids aged 5-12 and their families for free, 2pm-4pm at Canmore Library. 

• Meet new people at a free BBQ! Pavilion Basecamp is BanffLIFE's social drop-in from 5:30pm at Banff Recreation Grounds. 

• Learn how to fix your bike or buy a new one! Hit the HUB Bike Workshops from Community Cruisers between 5pm and 8pm at Banff Fenlands.

• Bingo was his name! Play free bingo at the Exshaw Legion, 6pm. 

• Test your knowledge! Enter Trivia Tuesdays for free at the Rose and Crown Patio in Canmore Patio at 6pm. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🍎You can have access to affordable and fresh fruits and veggies once a month! The Bow Valley Good Food Box (GFB) has created their very own food subscription for locals. 

• 👩🏻‍💻Seasonal admin role up for grabs! The Bow Valley Christmas Spirit Society charity is in search of someone to work an admin role between September 2024 and January 2025. Apply before August 5th!

• 🎨Hey Bow Valley artists, want to showcase your work at Three Sisters Gallery? Apply by July 26th for "Circles and Spheres" here.

• 👴Last week, we highlighted activities for seniors hosted by the Canmore Seniors Association. The Town of Banff also hosts drop-in programs for folks 55 and up. 

• 🧑🏽‍🤝‍🧑🏽Youth club alert! The Basement is a drop-in space where your child can play games, do homework, or just socialize, as well as days out like escape rooms and bowling. Monday to Thursday, 3pm-6pm, grades 5-8, free at Banff Canmore Foundation on Banff Ave.

• ⛑️Do your part to help make roads safer for wildlife and yourselves with Parks Canada advice. 

• 👠Bow Valley’s Next Top Model! Call-Out for 40+ models for a lifestyle shoot at a luxury hotel in Canmore.

• 💝Help donate to the Bow Valley Connection Centre’s Bottle Drive which runs to the end of July. 

• 👨🏻‍💼Would you like to support the community by helping those unhoused or housing insecure? HSBV is seeking new board members!

CIVIC NEWS

• You can apply to become a member of the Council Remuneration Review Committee. This person will help inform how much Banff Council gets paid. The application form is here and the deadline is August 16th, 4pm.

LIVE MUSIC

Monday

• Monday Funday, Live Music and $6.75 Pints: 8pm-Close, Three Bears Brewery, Banff

• Brent Lee: 10pm, Rose & Crown, Banff, No Cover

• Free Karaoke: 10pm, The Drake, Canmore

Tuesday

• Outdoor Amp Session with Todd Clarkson: 5:30pm, Amphitheatre Banff Centre, Free

• Karaoke Night with Andrew Staygold: 10pm, Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff

• Ferny Turnbull: 10pm, Rose & Crown, Banff, No Cover

SPORTS

• Canmore's Sam Hendry secured second place at the Speedgoat Mountain Races 50K in Utah, finishing in 5:24:57. This race is part of the UTMB World Series, and Hendry's performance earns him a spot in the UTMB Series Finals in Chamonix, France, this August.

• Construction work at the new biathlon building has been delayed at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Completion is expected for late 2024 ahead of A Para Nordic Ski World Cup for 2025.

That’s all, folks!

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