Town of Banff

Environmental Analysis

Recreation Centre Redevelopment Project
Comparative Environmental Analysis

In January 2007, Banff Town Council began the process of obtaining an environmental overview to assess the effects and net environmental impact of relocating the existing Banff Recreation Centre facility to the proposed Elkwoods site.

Bow Valley Environmental Consulting Group began the environmental study in July 2007. Town Council accepted their report at its November 13, 2007 meeting, and made the report available to the public::

• Executive Summary ( PDF - 535 kb)
• Table of contents ( PDF - 142 kb)
• Sections 1 and 2 – Introduction and Methods ( PDF - 4.2MB)
• Section 3.1 – Current Conditions – Wildlife ( PDF - 13MB)
• Section 3.2 – Current Conditions – Vegetation ( PDF - 9.5MB)
• Section 3.3 – Current Conditions – Geology and Soils ( PDF - 7.8MB)
• Section 3.4 – Current Conditions – Hydrology ( PDF - 12MB)
• Sections 3.5 and 3.6 – Current Conditions – Land Use and Environmental Technology Potential ( PDF - 390 kb)
• Sections 4 – 7 – Evaluation of Site Options, Recommendations to Minimize Net Environmental Impact, Conclusions and References ( PDF - 254 kb)
• Appendices ( PDF - 1.7MB)

Comments about this Environmental Analysis report may be directed to Chad Townsend at:
chad.townsend@banff.ca

Commentary

A number of reasons were discussed for the idea of developing the site known as 'Elkwoods' and rehabilitating the existing Recreation Centre site. However, in order for Parks Canada to seriously consider this amendment to the existing Town boundary, it would have to be demonstrated that the proposed project and use of lands would result in a net environmental gain to Banff National Park. An objective comparative environmental overview / assessment was therefore required in order to provide the necessary scientific data and analysis for both locations.

The two potential recreation multiplex site options were evaluated by external study team members with various individual areas of expertise (i.e. wildlife, vegetation, soils, hydrology, human use and alternative energy). Field work techniques, desk studies and expert interviews were all used to determined detailed baseline conditions, future environmental considerations, and technology potential. The team then worked collaboratively to determine net positive or negative impacts of each development option. Based on this comparative analysis, an overall consensus was reached as to which site option would be the most environmentally suitable for development of the proposed multiplex. The report concludes with recommended future environmental considerations and mitigation opportunities.

From an environmental perspective, this analysis clearly points to the redevelopment of the existing Recreation Centre site and nearby lands as the preferred option for future development.  Given the current multiple lease / ownership situation (Town of Banff, Parks Canada, CP Rail) of the recommended site, there may be challenges associated with land acquisition for an expanded recreation multiplex.  However, these lands are all within the Town boundary, and appropriately zoned for recreation facilities.