Whether Calgary and Canmore are to host a 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games or not, it is clear the lands being considered for a potential athletes’ village need a better plan.
Palliser Trail runs adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway as land that is already developed, under development or being considered for development in the future. Three parcels owned by Silvertip developer Stonecreek Properties are considered to be future employee housing, but not before an area structure plan (ASP) is considered.
But it is clear municipal officials and Canmore Community Housing Corporation (CCHC), which also owns land in the Palliser area, have keyed in on the fact that an overarching development plan is needed, and sooner rather than later.
Instead of waiting for Silvertip’s plans to trigger the need for an ASP, Canmore council should direct administration to begin that process next year, in advance of a bid decision by the International Olympic Committee.
The reasons to consider beginning an ASP in the immediate future are compounded by the fact there is a proposal on the table for a 242-unit athletes’ village. The overall area includes a wildlife corridor – the lower Silvertip ungulate corridor – a myriad of unsanctioned trails, high-density residential development, a brand new Catholic church under construction, and multiple other lots with development potential owned by various levels of government.
The need for a multimillion dollar pedestrian overpass and better pedestrian connectivity for the new Northview Peaks project has been top of mind for many in the community. Watching residents of CCHC’s Hector 60-unit perpetually affordable housing rental project and the adjacent Blakiston condo development crisscross four lanes of highway traffic every day has raised concerns around public safety.
While projects are in the works for pedestrian improvements, a plan for the entire area, including transit, would only benefit future and current residents.
There are also steep creek flood hazards and risks to current and future development and the New Life Christian Centre, which owns lands that could be developed in the future as well.
There are also stands of beautiful aspen trees throughout the wildlife corridor, and future developable lands. This aspect of the overall Palliser region is one that should be reflected in any plan that comes forward, as montane ecosystems are in the minority across our landscape here in the Bow Valley and should be preserved.
If you add all those things up: a montane ecosystem, steep creek flood hazard, wildlife corridor, private and public future development, pedestrian cycling and transit connectivity, current development and increasing residential densities, it leads to the conclusion that a significant planning process is needed before any more decisions come forward for council to consider.
These lands are the future of our community because they represent the largest area remaining for affordable housing projects. Building community is what the current council has been hard at work trying to achieve. It would benefit the future of this community to create a comprehensive plan for the Palliser area to guide us into the future there together.
