Known for its rockin’ music stage and cheap, foamy brew, the Canmore Hotel’s new administration will continue to cater to one of the last relics of the former mining town.
Operations at the historic Canmore Hotel changed over to restaurant owners Larry and Denise Scammell last week (March 31), but don’t expect a drastic difference at the landmark pub that has served a cold one for 126 years.
The Canmore Hotel or, as locals call it, the “Ho,” located on bustling Main Street, operates mainly with a pub and restaurant on the main floor and underutilized hostel-esque rooms on the second floor.
The Scammells met in the Bow Valley and, having that connection to Canmore, know the value of maintaining its history as the place to grab the “cheapest beer” in the booming resort town.
“We have no interest in changing that aspect, just making it better. Take what it always has had and build on it,” said Larry.
Denise, who grew up in Canmore, has a smile on her face when she remembers the days of popping over to the Ho for a drink or two.
“There will be some improvements, but I don’t think anyone wants the integrity of it changed and we definitely respect that as a local bar,” said Denise.
The interior may change ever so slightly, and the exterior is slated to receive a revamp later this year, with the addition of a modern building.
Heritage Property Corporation (HPC), developers of the hotel, received historic designation on the building in November 2015 from the Town of Canmore.
On top of the historical designation, HPC received additional approvals from council – one of which will allow renovations and expansion of 26 total rooms.
However, with a “more challenging economy than a year ago,” HPC’s original plan for shovels to hit the dirt for renovations this spring is being held off, said Neil Richardson, president of the Heritage Property Corporation.
“Our goal was to break ground in late summer (2016) or early fall, realistically,” said Richardson. “The challenge is we don’t want to start construction in the dead of winter.”
As for the Scammells, who own and operate Black Pig Bistro in Calgary, their managerial decisions at the Ho will focus on the philosophy of creating a menu that has the ”best pub food in town.”
But don’t expect significant plans to overhaul the hostel-style, shared washroom accommodations upstairs – at least not yet.
The new operators said they may look to improvements in the future if it becomes more desirable.
“A longer-term plan would be cleaning it up and making it more usable and rentable,” said Larry. “There’s a huge demand for short-term stay.
“It’s an iconic place and, like it or not, whether you go there or not, everybody in town or who has been to Canmore knows of the Canmore Hotel, some better than others; and at 126 years old it has been a cornerstone in the community for a long time.”
