BANFF – After serving nearly two decades of public service for the Town of Banff, former mayor Karen Sorensen gave one last thanks at Banff council since becoming a Canadian senator.
The longtime Banff mayor resigned from her role as the top elected official on July 28 after being named to the Senate as a representative for Alberta.
Sorensen praised the work of her fellow councillors and staff at the Town of Banff for helping to improve the community and always step up to challenges.
“This community is special and that is never clearer to me than when we are in crisis,” she said. “I’ve had the experience of working with so many amazing people working through flood, fire, derailment, significant economic downturn and a once in a hundred year pandemic.”
She highlighted the work that had been completed from the finished Bear Street project, the addition of paid visitor parking with a residential parking system and the partnerships formed with community groups and organizations such as Parks Canada and Banff Lake Louise Tourism.
The community greenhouses, Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre, soon-to-be two pedestrian bridges, the new Roam Transit centre, additions to the housing inventory and healthy reserves were aspects Sorensen noted that came through the work of Town of Banff staff and councillors.
She noted the achievement of the creation of Roam Transit, which had more than 1.5 million riders in 2019, and brought improved transit to the Bow Valley as a highlight of her mayoral terms.
“As envisioned in 2010, routes are operating in Banff, Canmore, between the communities and into Banff National Park,” Sorensen said. “I recognize all council members, all Roam Transit board members and all the different administrations of the different entities who have been committed to bringing transit to our community and the Bow Valley and continue to support the growth of this incredible service.”
She was first elected as a councillor in 2004 and has been the mayor of Banff the past 11 years. She had previously announced she wasn’t running for re-election in the upcoming October election.
She has also served as a school board trustee, was part of the creation of the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission and chaired or served on numerous committees.
Sorensen emphasized the difficult decisions councillors are regularly asked to make and the hard work town staff put in, sometimes under public scrutiny.
“There is only one way to avoid criticism. Do nothing, say nothing, be nothing,’” she said quoting the popular Elbert Hubbard saying. “These things I know. Nothing is free. Change is hard, facts matter.”
Corrie DiManno, who later in the meeting was named the mayor of Banff for the remainder of the council term, praised Sorensen’s leadership and long public and community service.
“Under her leadership, Banff has been able to make real tangible progress on its priorities like growing a regional transit service, active modes network, adding affordable housing, nurturing environmental practices and enhancing the quality of life for residents,” DiManno said. “The list goes on. All communities have challenges and you need a strong leader to take charge and work through solutions.
“Her legacy is all around us, whether its built infrastructure or stronger relationships and partnerships, Karen has helped create a better Banff. Simply put, Banff is a better place because of her love for it.”
