Banff Closer to New Rec Centre

In another move of refreshing and renewing, the Banff recreation centre has been approved for a complete overhaul. This will be a great addition for both residents and visitors. Along with the redevelopment of the Banff Centre, the Banff Avenvue Refreshing, and other updating projects; this project will showcase Banff as a world-class desitination and amazing place to call home. The Cascade Dance Hall on Banff Avenue is getting a facelift as well. It is great to see that during this tighter economic times towns are taking pride of ownership and showing to the world what they have to offer.

The following is from the Banff Cragg and Canyon with some more details on the Rec Centre redevelopment.

By Larissa Barlow

Larissa@thecrag.ca


The Rec Centre redevelopment project got unanimous support from the Municipal Planning Commission last week, which approved the development permit for the new facility.

The project has a tight timeline, with plans to begin deconstructing the curling rink in May.

There are still some external finish details that need to be worked out, but the MPC gave their approval regardless. If there are any major changes to the plans they saw, the project will come before them again to review.

The plans show a building moved further south, away from Whiskey Creek and 40 Mile Creek, respecting the wishes of Parks Canada to protect those environmentally sensitive areas.

Therefore a new access road will be created closer to town as the main entryway. The old entrance road will remain, but will be used for maintenance and emergency vehicles only.

The plans include two ice skating surfaces and a four sheet curling rink. The curling rink will include many windows giving a view of Norquay and Cascade, and it’s planned when the rink is not being used during the summer, that section of the arena could be used for a banquet hall.

“Recreation centres basically represent the lifeblood of a community,” said Mary Brewster, manager of community services.

The Rec Centre is even a draw for tourists, she said, noting that many visitor groups hold events at there, putting heads in beds in the community.

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“Besides meeting the community needs… there’s that economic stimulus that’s important to this community.”

Brewster said the life expectancy of the current facility has simply come to an end, and an upgraded facility has been on the wish list of residents for years. Some concerns were expressed by MPC chair Bill Squarebriggs over the view people would get of the building from the vantage point of leaving and arriving at town. Conceptual images show the building very close to the road and surrounded by trees, and he was worried the plan would be to “hide” the building.

“These are the two views that have the most visual impact,” he said. “For me, it’s not doing it for me.”

Randall McKay, manager of planning and development, said the idea wasn’t to hide the building, but “the trees are intended to soften the view.”

“It is quite close to the road,” he said.

MPC member Yannis Karlos said he was very happy with the design of the building.

“It looks like a gorgeous structure to me,” he said.

And Parks Canada has voiced their support for the development. There will be 137 parking stalls at the site, two marked for disabled parking. Significant forest clearing will be required to accommodate the new parking area, but the town plans to plant 95 new trembling aspen trees and 157 white spruce tress around the building to compensate.

Phase 1 of the project, the curling rink and one hockey rink, has already had its environmental screening report completed. Phase 2, the new skating arena and parking lot, will be submitted in the next couple of weeks and will need to be approved before work on that part of the project can begin.