Town of Banff

Town to Trial LED Christmas Pageantry

Nov. 24, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Banff, AB – Today, the Town of Banff announced that downtown Banff will be a lot more festive this holiday season. The Town is trialing new LED lighted motifs hanging from the streetlight poles on the 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue and at the north entry to town. They are also working with the Hotel/Motel Association on an initiative to light trees along the median of Banff Avenue.

The Banff Lodging Company has already signed up as a partner and is lighting nine trees on the median at the north entrance to Banff.  Their contribution to this enhanced lighting plan is valued at $20,000.

“This is a trial year for the decorations on the 100 and 200 blocks and at the north entrance to Town and we are looking for feedback from the community,” said Leslie Sellers, visitor experience coordinator for the Town of Banff.

This trial represents a shift to LED lighting for all holiday pageantry. Town of Banff environmental coordinator, Chad Townsend encourages the community to switch all incandescent holiday lighting to LED (Light-emitting diode) holiday lights as well.

“LED lights use less than one per cent of the energy burned by incandescent lights for decorating trees and houses. So even if your incandescent strings are practically new, it probably makes economic, and environmental sense to replace them,” says Townsend.

Townsend adds that although LED holiday lights tend to be slightly more expensive than incandescent, they can pay for themselves in one year’s worth of energy savings.

“Even if you include the cost of new incandescent lights you are getting rid of, the total payback period can be three to eight years. Considering LED lights last 66 times longer than incandescent, it’s a smart investment.”

The Town of Banff is excited to endorse LED lighting and has resolved to use only LED in their holiday lighting, says Sellers. “Using LED, it’s really a win-win situation. The town looks beautiful, festive and we are doing our part to save on electricity,” says Sellers.

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For Information:
Michelle Gurney      
Communications Manager, Town of Banff  
403.762.1207