Officials with the Town of Banff and The Banff Centre were in Ottawa last week to lobby key federal players on the arts and education institution’s bold plan to move its performance spaces to the downtown core.
Mayor Karen Sorensen and outgoing Banff Centre President Jeff Melanson met with Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq and Parks Canada CEO Alan Latourelle, Friday (May 9) on the issue – as Parks Canada holds lands in the downtown core that are central to the plans.
“It was an opportunity for Mr. Melanson to explain to the minister and show the minister what kind of vision they have and how it would be benefit the downtown core,” said Mayor Sorensen. “Parks Canada’s land is key to it.”
Rebuilding the 1,000-seat Eric Harvie Theatre and 300-seat Margaret Greenham Theatre, along with Walter Phillips Gallery and The Club in downtown Banff in the next eight to 10 years is part of a bold strategic plan for The Banff Centre.
The Banff Centre’s downtown plan, along with redevelopment of buildings on campus, including the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed building, Glyde Hall, Lloyd Hall and the Professional Development Centre, as well as residence facilities, come with a hefty $900 million price tag.
The Banff Centre has been scouting out locations, and one area of interest is the east side of the 200 block of Banff Avenue and the adjoining Town of Banff-owned land, parking lot, on the 200 block of Beaver Street.
In 1998, Parks Canada announced it would establish an environmental education centre on the 200 block of Banff Avenue by taking back commercial leases and eventually rezoning the area public service.
A service station has since been demolished and turned into a public park, but Parks Canada has decided against taking back the lease of Caribou Corner and is not presently in active negotiations with Bow Valley Credit Union.
The 2010 Banff National Park management plan says Parks Canada will continue the assembly of lands on the east side of the 200 block of Banff Avenue for “national park purposes”.
Sorensen said she is a big supporter of The Banff Centre’s plans.
She said Parks Canada has long talked about an interpretive education centre on the 200 block of Banff Avenue, and she believes Parks Canada, The Banff Centre and the Town of Banff would be great partners.
“Arts and culture tourism is a growing market and with the regional market growing leaps and bounds, having a theatre in downtown Banff would help with product development and visitor experience,” she said.
“Not everybody wants to ski, not everybody wants to hike. The whole arts and culture market could be very good for us.”
The Banff Centre is hiring a professional firm to draw up a campus plan, including relocating the theatre and arts space from the slopes of Tunnel Mountain to the downtown core.
The Banff Centre’s plan to renew the campus and create public presentation and education facilities downtown is one of five priorities laid out in its strategic plan, approved by the board of governors last year.
“The future is very exciting,” said Brenda Mackie, chair of the board of governors in a recent news release. “Board and staff members are unified in our bold vision.”
Melanson is leaving The Banff Centre in September and moving back to Toronto, citing personal reasons for his departure. He was recently named the new chief executive officer of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
