Banff town council is throwing its support behind a proposal for a new road cycling event in Banff National Park in 2012.
GranFondo Canada is working with Banff Lake Louise Tourism and Parks Canada to bring this road race, geared toward cyclists of all levels, to the national park, Aug. 25 in 2012.
On Monday (June 27), council unanimously agreed to draft a letter showing its support for such an event. Councillor Leslie Taylor was absent from the meeting.
“This letter is saying that philosophically we generally support the efforts to move this event forward,” said Mayor Karen Sorensen.
GranFondo Canada hosts similar road rides elsewhere, including in Whistler, B.C., and the inaugural GranFondo Rockies in Kananaskis Country in July.
The Banff proposal would see riders take a 145-kilometre route, beginning in Central Park, looping the south end of Lake Minnewanka, the Bow Valley Parkway to Lake Louise and finishing back in Central Park.
The special event needs permission from Parks Canada and would also have to go before Parks Canada’s Special Events Public Advisory Committee (SEPAC).
Neil McKinnon, CEO of GranFondo Canada, said a cap has been set at 1,500 riders in the first year.
“It is our goal to make GranFondo Banff an annual event that grows to upwards of 5,000 participants,” he said.
“We are confident that it will provide an outstanding opportunity to promote the splendour of Banff to a national and international audience.”
