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Neighbours concerned about neglected development

Balconies are falling down, windows are broken and fencing is in disrepair at what used to be the Bighorn Mountain Resort development site.

Balconies are falling down, windows are broken and fencing is in disrepair at what used to be the Bighorn Mountain Resort development site.

Last year it was rebranded Innoka, with a relaunch and media attention to the fact that a $20 million project that fell into receivership was back on line and under construction.

But the reality is a far cry from a finished development and it has neighbouring residents and businesses concerned.

The Windtower, which is part hotel and part condo, sits directly across Kananaskis Way from the dilapidated and abandoned construction site.

Condo manager Alain Latulippe said the Windtower condo corporation is extremely concerned about the state of disrepair and the fact it has been a construction site for five years and languished over the past two.

“It is a very hazardous place,” Latulippe said. “Everybody agrees this is a big problem, but what is protecting us and what is being done?”

The number one concern related to the hazard is if the structure catches fire it puts neighbouring development in the high density district at risk.

Another serious concern is in relation to vandalism. Latulippe said the site is unsecured and often residents see youths inside the construction side.

Vandalism is rampant and with most of the windows broken already, neighbours often hear doors slamming in the wind at all times.

“This is not our problem, this is a town problem,” he said. “The Town of Canmore needs to protect us against this fire hazard.”

Condo board president Steven Kopke said prevention of that type of scenario is better than its cure or the worst case scenario – a major structure fire.

He said letting the site sit in disrepair “kills the area” and could have an ultimate effect on property prices.

Both Kopke and Latulippe have taken their concerns to the Town of Canmore’s fire and planning departments.

Manager of planning Gary Buxton said the municipality is aware of the conditions of the site and have sent a letter to the current owners, which is made up of a group of former investors in the original project, to remedy the situation.

“A project like that, if not active, needs to be kept secure and safe,” he said. “Right now we are at a point of asking politely and firmly to make the site safe.

“If the site is still not safe in short order, we can issue a formal order under the Municipal Government Act to make it safe.”

He said given the builders liens on the property, the project appears to be in deep financial trouble again and now it is for sale.

“It is our understanding it is in the process of being sold,” Buxton said.

The expectation is the current owners or new owners will immediately fix the site for safety.

If nothing happens once new owners take over, Buxton said the municipality may go on the site and remedy the lack of safety and charge that back to the property owners.

The Outlook was unable to contact anyone related with the current ownership of the building.


Rocky Mountain Outlook

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