- Sunshine Meadows - Banff National Park - take the bus or hike up the road
- Chester Lake - Kananaskis Country - Smith Dorrian
- Healy Pass - Banff National Park
- Stanley Glacier - Kootenay National Park
Bring a camera and enjoy the sights and smells.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Rocky Mountain Wildflowers
The flowers in the alpine are in full bloom right now! If you are around the Bow Valley in the next few days and when you are done taking a look at Real Estate in Canmore or Banff, be sure to take a hike and see the display of colours. We have had a great combination of hot weather and rain lately which have really put the mountains into bloom. I am quite partial to the Western Wood Lillies, which have come and gone already, along with the Glacier Lillies. The flowers you will see now are Indian Paint Brush, Arnica, Twin Flowers, Purple Flea Bane, and much more. A couple of my favourite hikes this time of year are:
Monday, July 27, 2009
Canmore Second Quarter Market Update
Sales for this past Quarter have doubled over the first Quarter of 2009. Regional statistics see a strong recovery in the larger centres. However, as strong portions of the Canmore market are second homeowners, we are taking longer to recover than some of the larger markets. The recreational property buyers are looking for a ‘deal’ or reducing their budgets compared to 2007 & early 2008. Those whom are choosing to sell, and who may have purchased at the height of the market are slowly coming to terms that their property will not fetch the premium that it would have in the past. Sellers who are determined to sell have been pricing aggressively and are reaping the reward with sales coming in a matter of days as opposed to months. There have been strong sales in the first time homebuyer market with list prices and interest rates being very attractive to those wishing to enter the market. As there continues to be over 400 listings in the Bow Valley, buyers have the opportunity to shop and compare. Although, those listings that are priced to sell are selling and the buyers who are waiting to get the ‘deal’ are missing out. The market continues to stabilize, and it will most likely continue to be a buyer’s market until regional and world markets stabilize and people feel comfortable in the recreational market again.
*See Below for the July Newsletter and Statistics
*See Below for the July Newsletter and Statistics
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Banff Looking into Secondary Suites in Homes
By Cathy Ellis - Rocky Mountain Outlook - July 16, 2009
Town planners say secondary suites offer a way to increase density to meet the demands of Banff’s growing population, without modifying the size of a building.
They say suites can provide income for homeowners, allow families to accommodate aging relatives, and help integrate the town’s shadow labour force into the existing community.
But Darren Enns, Banff’s senior planner, said one of the options under consideration – cabin suites – would only be allowed where there was lane access or on a corner lot.
“We don’t want to overwhelm the town with having cabin suites all over,” said Enns, who is also the project leader of the land use bylaw review.
“The course we’ve taken is to take it slow, and so far, most people think it’s a great idea.”
Other proposals to increase the housing supply include proposals to either rezone green space to residential lands, or tinker with development regulations to encourage redevelopment.
The Town says Banff’s population is growing at a rate above the national average and housing has not kept pace with that residential growth.
It is estimated Banff’s current housing shortfall is about 400 units. In addition, there are currently about 170 names on the Banff Housing Corporation’s waiting list.
As for secondary suites, they have been in existence in Banff for decades, known as cabin houses, granny flats and many other names.
Planners say that in a town as small as Banff, understanding where suites should be permitted is more a matter of context, versus some sort of geographic distinction.
For example, they say a basement suite might work fine within a single family residence or a duplex, but fitting a suite into a four-plex or an apartment unit is a bit trickier.
Under the proposal, enclosed secondary suites would be allowed throughout town, on any lot where the primary use is as a single family dwelling, or a duplex.
Wherever the unit is part of a condominium corporation or subject to a head-lease – for example, Banff Housing Corporation homes – approval from the internal governing body would be required.
Specifically, cabin units would be allowed on any lot in town which has lane access or whose lot has access to more than one road frontage, such as corner lots.
There would be some size restrictions, too.
Secondary suites would be limited to a maximum gross floor area of 900 square feet and a minimum of 300 sq.ft. and must always be smaller than the area of the primary residence.
As is common in other communities with secondary suites, including Whistler, B.C., and Canmore, the Town would require one on-site parking stall per accessory dwelling.
“If we can regulate it, we can make them safe and deal with some of the negative aspects we’ve heard of, such as parking,” said Enns.
Randall McKay, Banff’s planning and development manager, said his department has been in talks with other communities along the spine of the Rockies, such as Vail, Colorado, on the issue of secondary suites.
“They are part of the Banff tradition for decades and are a really good idea,” he said. “They fit in very nicely here.”
Meanwhile, the Town will begin drafting amendments on residential density over the course of the summer, with the intention of presenting recommendations to council as early as September.
After that, they will begin the next public outreach phase of the review, which includes topics such as commercial growth management regulations, commercial build-out, home occupations and bed and breakfast accommodations.
Town planners say secondary suites offer a way to increase density to meet the demands of Banff’s growing population, without modifying the size of a building.
They say suites can provide income for homeowners, allow families to accommodate aging relatives, and help integrate the town’s shadow labour force into the existing community.
But Darren Enns, Banff’s senior planner, said one of the options under consideration – cabin suites – would only be allowed where there was lane access or on a corner lot.
“We don’t want to overwhelm the town with having cabin suites all over,” said Enns, who is also the project leader of the land use bylaw review.
“The course we’ve taken is to take it slow, and so far, most people think it’s a great idea.”
Other proposals to increase the housing supply include proposals to either rezone green space to residential lands, or tinker with development regulations to encourage redevelopment.
The Town says Banff’s population is growing at a rate above the national average and housing has not kept pace with that residential growth.
It is estimated Banff’s current housing shortfall is about 400 units. In addition, there are currently about 170 names on the Banff Housing Corporation’s waiting list.
As for secondary suites, they have been in existence in Banff for decades, known as cabin houses, granny flats and many other names.
Planners say that in a town as small as Banff, understanding where suites should be permitted is more a matter of context, versus some sort of geographic distinction.
For example, they say a basement suite might work fine within a single family residence or a duplex, but fitting a suite into a four-plex or an apartment unit is a bit trickier.
Under the proposal, enclosed secondary suites would be allowed throughout town, on any lot where the primary use is as a single family dwelling, or a duplex.
Wherever the unit is part of a condominium corporation or subject to a head-lease – for example, Banff Housing Corporation homes – approval from the internal governing body would be required.
Specifically, cabin units would be allowed on any lot in town which has lane access or whose lot has access to more than one road frontage, such as corner lots.
There would be some size restrictions, too.
Secondary suites would be limited to a maximum gross floor area of 900 square feet and a minimum of 300 sq.ft. and must always be smaller than the area of the primary residence.
As is common in other communities with secondary suites, including Whistler, B.C., and Canmore, the Town would require one on-site parking stall per accessory dwelling.
“If we can regulate it, we can make them safe and deal with some of the negative aspects we’ve heard of, such as parking,” said Enns.
Randall McKay, Banff’s planning and development manager, said his department has been in talks with other communities along the spine of the Rockies, such as Vail, Colorado, on the issue of secondary suites.
“They are part of the Banff tradition for decades and are a really good idea,” he said. “They fit in very nicely here.”
Meanwhile, the Town will begin drafting amendments on residential density over the course of the summer, with the intention of presenting recommendations to council as early as September.
After that, they will begin the next public outreach phase of the review, which includes topics such as commercial growth management regulations, commercial build-out, home occupations and bed and breakfast accommodations.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Gilchrist's Picks for Banff & Canmore
With this year's Stampede riding into the sunset, it's time to hit the trail. A posse of good restaurants are in the foothills and the mountains. Here are a few that will tease your tastebuds if you--or visitors-- are taking a trip into the country.
Aroma: 709 9th St., Canmore, 403-609-2000
A restaurant within a restaurant, Aroma resides in Zona's, a Canmore institution. But since Zona's is only open in the evening, Aroma has rented the restaurant to do breakfast and lunch. The food is Mexican, with huevos done in tomatillo sauce, scallop-and-basa ceviche, rellenos poblanos, and tostadas topped with chipotle chicken.
The Trough: 725B 9th St., Canmore, 403-678-2820
Belly up to The Trough for full-flavoured and elegant (yes, elegant) dining in downtown Canmore. (My big debate here is whether to have the jerk pork ribs or the tamarind-braised lamb ribs.) Great wine list, too.
Three Ravens: 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr., Banff Centre, 403-762-6300
The Banff Centre now has a high-end dining room with a fabulous view to match the food. Three Ravens makes a great spot for dinner if you're attending a Banff Summer Arts Festival event. The white asparagus soup is outstanding.
Valbella Cafe: 104 Elk Run Blvd., Canmore, 403-678-4109
Follow your nose to the scent of fine-smoked meats. You've likely seen Valbella Meats on menus all over Alberta, so pop into the mecca of meat itself in Canmore. Have a little lunch and stock up on chimney sticks for the drive.
Wild Orchid: 1818 Mountain Ave., Silver Creek Lodge, Canmore, 403-678-0477
For creative Japanese and contemporary Asian cuisine, Wild Orchid in Canmore fits the bill. It's just off the Trans-Canada in the new Silver Creek Lodge, but has a great view and is remarkably peaceful.
John Gilchrist reviews restaurants for CBC Radio ONE, he can Be reached at:
escurial@telus.netor 403-235-7532.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
Aroma: 709 9th St., Canmore, 403-609-2000
A restaurant within a restaurant, Aroma resides in Zona's, a Canmore institution. But since Zona's is only open in the evening, Aroma has rented the restaurant to do breakfast and lunch. The food is Mexican, with huevos done in tomatillo sauce, scallop-and-basa ceviche, rellenos poblanos, and tostadas topped with chipotle chicken.
The Trough: 725B 9th St., Canmore, 403-678-2820
Belly up to The Trough for full-flavoured and elegant (yes, elegant) dining in downtown Canmore. (My big debate here is whether to have the jerk pork ribs or the tamarind-braised lamb ribs.) Great wine list, too.
Three Ravens: 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr., Banff Centre, 403-762-6300
The Banff Centre now has a high-end dining room with a fabulous view to match the food. Three Ravens makes a great spot for dinner if you're attending a Banff Summer Arts Festival event. The white asparagus soup is outstanding.
Valbella Cafe: 104 Elk Run Blvd., Canmore, 403-678-4109
Follow your nose to the scent of fine-smoked meats. You've likely seen Valbella Meats on menus all over Alberta, so pop into the mecca of meat itself in Canmore. Have a little lunch and stock up on chimney sticks for the drive.
Wild Orchid: 1818 Mountain Ave., Silver Creek Lodge, Canmore, 403-678-0477
For creative Japanese and contemporary Asian cuisine, Wild Orchid in Canmore fits the bill. It's just off the Trans-Canada in the new Silver Creek Lodge, but has a great view and is remarkably peaceful.
John Gilchrist reviews restaurants for CBC Radio ONE, he can Be reached at:
escurial@telus.netor 403-235-7532.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Canmore Mines - 30 year Anniversary: Saturday July 11, 2009
Canmore Leader - 8 July, 2009 -
The Miners’ Day parade will run Main Street this
Saturday for its 11th year. Following close on the heels of the Canada Day parade, some might see the parade as a smaller, and so lesser event. It’s not.
“The fact is that it is real,” Jon Bjorgum, one of the five who started the parade, said ...
...When Bjorgum returned to Canmore, as a member of the museum board, he helped to collect a number of the “old-timers, or good-timers” and sat down to do something to celebrate July 13, 1979: the day the mines closed in Canmore.
It was the 20th anniversary of the day that year and the idea was to do something special to recognize the importance to the town of the day when 120 families lost their jobs and the town had to reinvent its future.
Bjorgum advertised his idea of making family names signs in the paper, but only got 15 respsonses. With his sons, Bjorgum made signs for those interested, and on the day of the parade another 25 or so showed up.
“We may have had 40, but the next year it doubled, and then it doubled and I think we’ve had more than 250 family representatives,” he said. “People walk with great pride with their names.”
Although the parade began modestly, and Bjorgum said it is a “smalltown parade,” it has grown from its simple beginning with 110 people (plus representatives from the RCMP and fire department). In its first year, Town councillors came and set up a barbecue for hot dogs in the parking lot behind the library where parade goers could gather. “Now many families have made it their family reunion time,” Bjorgum said. “I’ve been here 35 years or so, but these guys, their families immigrated to Canada and took mining jobs . . . this is what our town is really about, these people who came with the railroad and then as a result came to Canmore Mines.”
Wayne Hubman worked underground for 17 years. He has taken part in every Miners’ Day parade since it started 11 years ago.
“I really think it’s a great honour,” he said. “When Canmore Mines shut down in 1979, I think the population of Canmore was . . . I don’t think it was even 3,000. We’re over 15,000 now on the weekend. Those 12,000 people that moved in, they didn’t even know there was a coal mine here.”
The coal in town could also produce more energy when burned than the coal found elsewhere. While the trains that stretched the country ran on wood even when they crossed the prairie, it would be fair to say that Canmore coal helped the trains get over the Rockies as they pushed west.
“The reason the coal was so good here . . . was because of the pressure of the mountains on top,” Hubman said. Hubman started in the mine when he was 18, packing timber in the mines, but his work in the mine extended well past their closing, Hubman did the underground mine mitigation for Three Sisters when they were putting in the Stewart Creek Golf Course. He was one of about 20 who stayed on a year after the mine was shut down, as a company man, Hubman was given the task of dismantling the mine and ensuring its security.
As much as Canmore is a part of Canada’s railway history, Hubman, or any mining family could be recognized as a part of Canmore’s history. “I was born here, I was born here in 1944, my grandfather got here in 1920, my cousins were born here, my sons are fourth generation,” Hubman said.
Canmore was a stew-pot of the world, Hubman said “Everybody pretty well got along, there were a couple of disagreements now and then, yeah, but that happens everywhere.”
“Life was really, really good here,” Hubman said. “Actually, life is still pretty good here, it’s a little bit busier and noisier, but I still enjoy it here.”
Bjorgum said that 11 years ago some of the initial reaction was that of concern from the community: the parade was too close to the Stampede or too close to the Canada Day parade, they said.
“The sincerity and intensity of people — the pride of people — made it so very clear that it was not too close to the Calgary Stampede it was not too close to Canada Day, because this is something that is entirely local.”
This year’s Miners’ Day parade is July 11 at 12 p.m.
The Miners’ Day parade will run Main Street this
Saturday for its 11th year. Following close on the heels of the Canada Day parade, some might see the parade as a smaller, and so lesser event. It’s not.
“The fact is that it is real,” Jon Bjorgum, one of the five who started the parade, said ...
...When Bjorgum returned to Canmore, as a member of the museum board, he helped to collect a number of the “old-timers, or good-timers” and sat down to do something to celebrate July 13, 1979: the day the mines closed in Canmore.
It was the 20th anniversary of the day that year and the idea was to do something special to recognize the importance to the town of the day when 120 families lost their jobs and the town had to reinvent its future.
Bjorgum advertised his idea of making family names signs in the paper, but only got 15 respsonses. With his sons, Bjorgum made signs for those interested, and on the day of the parade another 25 or so showed up.
“We may have had 40, but the next year it doubled, and then it doubled and I think we’ve had more than 250 family representatives,” he said. “People walk with great pride with their names.”
Although the parade began modestly, and Bjorgum said it is a “smalltown parade,” it has grown from its simple beginning with 110 people (plus representatives from the RCMP and fire department). In its first year, Town councillors came and set up a barbecue for hot dogs in the parking lot behind the library where parade goers could gather. “Now many families have made it their family reunion time,” Bjorgum said. “I’ve been here 35 years or so, but these guys, their families immigrated to Canada and took mining jobs . . . this is what our town is really about, these people who came with the railroad and then as a result came to Canmore Mines.”
Wayne Hubman worked underground for 17 years. He has taken part in every Miners’ Day parade since it started 11 years ago.
“I really think it’s a great honour,” he said. “When Canmore Mines shut down in 1979, I think the population of Canmore was . . . I don’t think it was even 3,000. We’re over 15,000 now on the weekend. Those 12,000 people that moved in, they didn’t even know there was a coal mine here.”
The coal in town could also produce more energy when burned than the coal found elsewhere. While the trains that stretched the country ran on wood even when they crossed the prairie, it would be fair to say that Canmore coal helped the trains get over the Rockies as they pushed west.
“The reason the coal was so good here . . . was because of the pressure of the mountains on top,” Hubman said. Hubman started in the mine when he was 18, packing timber in the mines, but his work in the mine extended well past their closing, Hubman did the underground mine mitigation for Three Sisters when they were putting in the Stewart Creek Golf Course. He was one of about 20 who stayed on a year after the mine was shut down, as a company man, Hubman was given the task of dismantling the mine and ensuring its security.
As much as Canmore is a part of Canada’s railway history, Hubman, or any mining family could be recognized as a part of Canmore’s history. “I was born here, I was born here in 1944, my grandfather got here in 1920, my cousins were born here, my sons are fourth generation,” Hubman said.
Canmore was a stew-pot of the world, Hubman said “Everybody pretty well got along, there were a couple of disagreements now and then, yeah, but that happens everywhere.”
“Life was really, really good here,” Hubman said. “Actually, life is still pretty good here, it’s a little bit busier and noisier, but I still enjoy it here.”
Bjorgum said that 11 years ago some of the initial reaction was that of concern from the community: the parade was too close to the Stampede or too close to the Canada Day parade, they said.
“The sincerity and intensity of people — the pride of people — made it so very clear that it was not too close to the Calgary Stampede it was not too close to Canada Day, because this is something that is entirely local.”
This year’s Miners’ Day parade is July 11 at 12 p.m.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Bow Valley Real Estate on the Rise
Calgary Herald July 2, 2009
CALGARY- According to the Calgary Real Estate Board Calgary home sales increased for the the sixth consecutive month in June.
The number of homes and condos sold was also up over the same time in June 2008, with 1,837 homes and 738 condos sold in the metro Calgary market in the past month.
The home sales mark a 16 per cent increase over May 2009 and 28 per cent increase over June 2008, when single family home sales were 1,493.
The condo sales mark a 13 per cent increase over May 2009 and a 33 per cent increase from this time last year when condo sales were 556.
According to Bonnie Wegerich, President of the CREB, "affordable prices, low interest rates and pent-up demand continue to fuel this gradual rebound."
According to the CREB turnover for homes and condos is now just over two months, where in January of 2009 the turnover time was 11 months.
Home prices are also up two per cent over May 2009, with the average price of a single family home in June 2009 $447,142. However, the June 2009 figures are a six per cent decrease from June 2008 when the average price was $473,774.
Condominium prices are also up four per cent over May 2009, with the average price listed as $285,595, but down nine per cent from June 2008 when the average price was $315,042.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
CALGARY- According to the Calgary Real Estate Board Calgary home sales increased for the the sixth consecutive month in June.
The number of homes and condos sold was also up over the same time in June 2008, with 1,837 homes and 738 condos sold in the metro Calgary market in the past month.
The home sales mark a 16 per cent increase over May 2009 and 28 per cent increase over June 2008, when single family home sales were 1,493.
The condo sales mark a 13 per cent increase over May 2009 and a 33 per cent increase from this time last year when condo sales were 556.
According to Bonnie Wegerich, President of the CREB, "affordable prices, low interest rates and pent-up demand continue to fuel this gradual rebound."
According to the CREB turnover for homes and condos is now just over two months, where in January of 2009 the turnover time was 11 months.
Home prices are also up two per cent over May 2009, with the average price of a single family home in June 2009 $447,142. However, the June 2009 figures are a six per cent decrease from June 2008 when the average price was $473,774.
Condominium prices are also up four per cent over May 2009, with the average price listed as $285,595, but down nine per cent from June 2008 when the average price was $315,042.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
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