The Town would like input into two subjects that are currently under consideration. These are the issues of how to proceed in the redevelopment of the Rec Centre now that, the financial picture has changed, and whether to reintroduce parking on Bow Avenue, this would provide 40 extra parking spaces. The surveys are open to both members and non members. To give your opinion please take surveys, the parking survey takes about 2 minutes. The survey relating to the Rec Centre survey really benefits from reading the background information to be found at the foot of this post.
Tuesday saw the first board meeting since the AGM. Among other things the minutes of the April meeting were approved. Until the private area is completed the board minutes will be published on this part of the blog. In the future they will be available only to members.
Members are encouraged to use the SBAB logo in their letterhead and advertising, just right click the link and select ‘Save link as’. The benefit in doing so is that being the member of such an organisation demonstrates the bona fide nature of your business and reinforces the appearance of permanence. Members are also reminded to register as a preferred supplier of the Small Business Association in Banff, just reply to this email with your business name, your contact details (web address / email / phone number) and up to 30 words of text that you would like included about your business.
Ossi Treutler gave an excellent upbeat message in a Global TV interview on how Banff is faring in these times. You can view the interview at http://www.globaltv.com/globaltv/calgary/video/index.html?releasePID=GQ3KYdPVghho7jT8atjnT3OLkrETYSC0.
Finally. The Town is reviewing the byelaw regarding buskers. If you have an interest or want your views to be heard contact Ossi at ossi@freyas.ca.
Background information to the Rec Centre survey
An important issue facing Town Council is the immediate decision regarding the redevelopment of our Recreation Center. This decision requires your feedback and input to reposition both Phase I (new curling ring with four sheets and full renovation of existing ice rink) and Phase II (new NHL sized 2nd ice surface).
On April 14, 2009, Council passed a motion for a Borrowing Bylaw for $15.1 M to provide funds towards the construction of both Phase I and Phase II. Prior to this, the Town of Banff had acquired $6 M through a CAMRIF grant that must be directed towards Phase I of this construction and due to the required demolition of the existing curling rink and mini ice surface, Phase I will proceed, or the funds will be lost.
Council’s original intention was to pay off the $15.1 M borrowed, over a 10 year period through the provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding of approximately $5 M/year that was to be allocated to the Town of Banff annually over that time and with other provincial grants that have been already been applied for. The 2009 Alberta budget has adversely affected MSI funds that the Town of Banff will be acquiring for 2009-10. At this time, it is unknown what the MSI funding allocation will be for subsequent years. Due to this uncertainty, Council will consider options regarding this project by revisiting the future Capital Budget plan at the May 11, 2009 Council meeting.
The following paragraphs of information related to the economic impact of the recreation center;
The Banff Recreation Centre functions as one of Banff’s major community gathering places with over 78,000 user visits occurring annually. This translates into approximately 800-1000 residents using the building multiple times throughout the year in addition to the hundreds of visitors that come each year. While most of the usage can be attributed to local residents it is estimated that approximately 1/3 of this usage comes from visitors to the community attending minor and adult hockey tournaments, summer hockey school, and curling bonspiels. These tournaments, hockey school and bonspiel participants book hotel rooms, shop for souvenirs and eat and drink in local food and beverage establishments. Expansion of the Recreation Centre to include a 2nd ice surface would most likely facilitate the hosting of two to three times the number of tournaments, resulting in the doubling or tripling of visitors to the community for these activities. Strategic planning of these tournaments, (inviting more teams and holding the tournament over multiple days) has the potential to double the room nights required by tournaments visitors, provided a second ice surface is available. Town staff would work on a strategic sales and marketing plan to expand the community’s tournament and bonspiel business.
Besides the economic benefits realized through visitor usage of the facilities, community use also creates a positive economic impact on the community.
Healthy, active residents contribute to healthy workplaces. Employees who are active are less likely to have on the job accidents, are more productive and less likely to miss work due to illness. Kids who remain active are less likely to get ill, meaning parents miss less work to stay home with sick children as a result. Health care costs are also impacted positively by active residents.
To help maintain a healthy, productive service industry, a range of choices for leisure and recreation are necessary. Banff’s 18-35 year olds make significant use of the Recreation Centre. Its’ expansion would provide more opportunities for use and would, at the same time, act as an attractant for new families and young professionals looking to make Banff home.
We would like your opinions regarding the various impacts, economic and construction of Phase II (a 2nd NHL sized ice surface).
Please click on the link above to take a confidential short survey. The results of this survey will be provided to Town of Banff Council.
We thank you in advance for your participation!
