From a rodeo and motor rally to a ferris wheel and three-ring circus, these are some of the special events that never got off the ground in Banff.
In an update to council Monday (Sept. 25), Town of Banff administrative officials said all event applications during the one-year trial of the festival and special events policy were approved.
That said, destination events coordinator Connie Grace said administration continues to receive numerous inquiries from event producers about events that do not meet the municipality’s and Parks Canada’s requirements.
“While no formal applications were refused, a number of events did not reach the application stage after reviewing the Town’s regulations,” said Grace.
“We do receive quite an interesting assortment of event applications per year, and we do not automatically say ‘no,’ even through they look little bit strange.”
Some of those proposed events included a Cirque du Soleil-type performance, which would have been a commercial for-profit ticketed event located on public lands, a motor rally to start and end at Central Park and a rodeo in the townsite.
There was also an inquiry from a local production company about installing a ferris wheel at the Banff Centre for a conference, as well as a query for a major food truck festival.
In addition, there was an inquiry about holding a full three ring circus at the recreation grounds and a request by a commercial, for-profit operator to install a large ice castle on public lands, and charge an entry fee.
Grace said administration works with all event producers, regardless if the event reaches the application stage or not.
“This requires extensive staff time – primarily from communications and from planning and development – as administration often works with event producers for months to determine if the event can be altered to meet the Town of Banff’s requirements,” she said.
Several municipal departments are involved in pulling off special events, including destination events, planning and development, bylaw services, engineering, operations, and the fire department.
Randall McKay, the Town’s director of planning and development, said council may wish to consider in the future a revenue model covering internal expenses and resources.
“I think it’s important to reiterate and emphasize just how many are involved in planning and executing destination events,” said McKay.
“Council may wish to explore options for cost recovery for internal expenses and staff time relative to approval of events.”
The festival and special events policy will be subject to a further one-year trial. Administration will return with the policy in September 2018 for council review.
