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Places & Spaces: Waterton Lakes National Park

Bob Toothill stands beside the Alderson-Carthew Summit trailhead information board and points to a location on the trail map.

Bob Toothill died in fall on Great Divide Trail, family says

Update – Friday, July 31

The search for Bob Toothill has come to an unfortunate end in Waterton Lakes National Park. Seven days after he was reported missing, the 81 -year-old man from Golden, B.C., was located deceased July 30.

His daughter, Natalie Neustaedter, shared in a Facebook post that he died from “a sudden slip-and-fall while hiking the Lineham Ridge area of the Great Divide Trail.”

The search began July 23 after Toothill failed to arrive in Coleman (Crowsnest Pass) as expected. The seven-day effort included Pincher Creek RCMP, Parks Canada, Alberta Search and Rescue Teams, Parks Canada Drone pilots, Alberta RCMP Air Services and specially trained police service dogs.

Condolences are extended to Bob Toothill’s family and friends.


Search for missing Waterton Hiker remains active

Update – Tuesday, July 28

“Please help us bring him home.” That’s what Natalie Neustaedter asked of the community after her father, 81-year-old Bob Toothill, went missing on the Great Divide Trail.

RCMP confirmed late Tuesday afternoon the search remains active and Toothill has not yet been found.

His pack was located Sunday, July 26, and RCMP say this has tightened up the search to an unspecified area of the park.

Toothill, of Golden, B.C., set out from the Alderson-Carthew Summit trailhead in Waterton Lakes National Park on July 16, and Neustaedter says he was expected to reach Crowsnest Pass by July 22.

He was last seen July 19 at the Rowe Lakes trailhead. Other hikers he chatted with expected to see him at Lone Lake that night but he didn’t arrive.

Neustaedter says the family contacted RCMP and Parks Canada on July 23, after realizing her father was overdue.

RCMP say Parks Canada, Pincher Creek RCMP, Southwest Alberta Regional Search and Rescue and police dog services are all taking part in the search. Air searches have also been conducted.

Neustaedter describes her father as an experienced outdoorsman, fitter than most people half his age.

While public support is appreciated, RCMP and Parks Canada ask people not to search independently.

The search-and-rescue tip line is no longer accepting calls, but anyone with information they believe could be important is asked to contact their local RCMP detachment.

Updates will be posted they are received. RCMP do not know when the next update will be available.

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Search narrows for Bob Toothill, hiker missing in Waterton backcountry

Update – Monday, July 27

Parks Canada says the search for Bob Toothill of Golden, B.C., has narrowed to a specific section of Waterton Lakes National Park.

His daughter, Natalie Neustaedter, says searchers found his backpack in the Tamarack Basin area late Sunday afternoon. High winds kept a helicopter from flying a team in, she says, and a two-person team went in early Monday for a more focused search.

Parks Canada says it is concentrating its efforts in the western part of the park, with Southwest Alberta Regional Search and Rescue covering areas outside it and aircraft assisting. No trail closures are in place.

Toothill may be wearing dark blue shorts or pants and a light blue shirt.

Both Parks Canada and Toothill’s family are urging people not to search on their own. Parks Canada says the terrain is remote, rugged and mountainous, and that unauthorized searches could put people at risk and pull resources from the operation.

The most helpful thing the public can do, the agency says, is share official updates.

Neustaedter says the family is grateful for the messages and offers of support, calling the response overwhelming.

Anyone with information, or who was in the area and saw someone matching Toothill’s description, is asked to call 1-855-727-6825, extension 2.


Search underway for Bob Toothill, missing in Waterton backcountry

Original post – Sunday, July 26

Somewhere on Section A of the Great Divide Trail, in the mountains between Waterton and the Crowsnest Pass, an 81-year-old hiker is missing, and his family is asking for help bringing him home.

Bob Toothill, of Golden, B.C., is an experienced outdoorsman his daughter describes as fitter than most people half his age. According to Parks Canada and his family, he set out from the Alderson-Carthew Summit trailhead in Waterton Lakes National Park on July 16 at 11 a.m., and was seen by other hikers as he started.

His daughter, Natalie Neustaedter, has pieced together the days that followed from calls, campground records, a trail camera and the hikers who crossed his path.

On July 17, she says, he phoned family to say hikers ahead of him had been charged by a grizzly and that he’d seen a sow and cubs himself. Bob told one family member he was heading down into a meadow to get around the bears but did not ask to be picked up at that time. It is unknown if he camped on the trail that night.

Neustaedter has confirmed that Bob arrived at the Waterton townsite campground Saturday, July 18 and checked out July 19. That Sunday morning, around 11, he got off a shuttle at the Rowe Lakes trailhead with two other hikers and was caught on a trail camera there.

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Bob mentioned to other hikers that he might try to flag the bus to carry on toward Tamarack Trail. He was expected at Lone Lake that night, Neustaedter says, but other hikers say he never arrived.

The Parks Canada notice lists the Rowe Lakes trailhead as the last place he was seen, and says he was expected to reach Coleman by July 22.

When the pieces stopped fitting together, Neustaedter says, the family raised the alarm, reaching out to Parks Canada and Crowsnest Pass RCMP on July 23.

The response since has been considerable, according to the family. Search and rescue teams from Crowsnest Pass, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat have been out on the ground and in the air, Neustaedter says, with helicopters and riders on horseback in the search. B.C. search and rescue are assisting across the border as well. RCMP have asked businesses in Coleman and the surrounding area to keep watch, and notices have been posted along the trail.

As of Friday night, she says, the entire trail had been walked twice, with no sign of him.

Neustaedter says the worry is that her father is hurt somewhere. He’s a strong hiker who can cover 15 to 20 kilometres or more in a day, she says, which means the ground he might have reached is wide. His cellphone is powered off, and a satellite phone he carried was never activated.

“If you have seen Bob, or have noticed anything on the trail or outside the trail that seems unusual, please contact the search team,” she says.

Neustaedter says the family is grateful to the RCMP, the search crews, Waterton park staff, and the friends and hikers who’ve never met her father and have turned out to help anyway.

“Please help us bring him home,” she says.

The Parks Canada notice asks anyone who saw Toothill, or who hiked Section A of the Great Divide Trail since July 19, to call the search team at 1-855-727-6825, extension 2.

 

Bob Toothill stands beside the Alderson-Carthew Summit trailhead information board and points to a location on the trail map.
Bob Toothill stands beside the Alderson-Carthew Summit trailhead information board and points to a location on the trail map.

Bob Toothill points to a location on the Alderson-Carthew Summit trail map in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Photos courtesy of Natalie Neustaedter

Backcountry Hiking, Hiking, Missing Persons, Search and Rescue

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Fire ban and restrictions in effect across southwestern Alberta

Dry conditions and rising fire danger have prompted new fire restrictions across the region.

A fire ban is now in effect for the Town of Pincher Creek, the Village of Cowley, Piikani Nation and the Municipal District of Pincher Creek.

The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass has moved from a Fire Advisory to a Fire Restriction, and Waterton Lakes National Park is under its own fire restriction as well.

Pincher Creek, Cowley, Piikani Nation and MD of Pincher Creek — Fire Ban

Under the ban:

  • No new debris or fire pit permits will be issued.
  • Existing debris permits are cancelled.
  • Existing and new recreational fire pit and burn barrel permits are suspended until conditions improve.
  • Fireworks are prohibited.
  • All open fire is prohibited.
  • Propane barbecues and fire pits are still permitted.

People are asked to use caution with off-highway vehicles.

The ban will remain in effect until conditions improve. For more information, call 403-627-5333.

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Crowsnest Pass — Fire Restriction

The restriction took effect July 29, and will remain in place until conditions improve or further escalation is needed.

Not allowed:

Outdoor wood fires on public land, including backcountry and random camping areas

Any burning on private land, other than a campfire

Fireworks and exploding targets

Still allowed:

  • Backyard fire pits
  • Propane fire pits and gas-powered appliances
  • Charcoal and wood-burning devices with an on/off switch
  • Indoor wood fires
  • Open-flame oil devices

For more information, contact the municipal office at 403-562-8833.

Waterton — Fire Restriction

Campfires are permitted only in designated Parks Canada metal fire rings or boxes and cook stoves within cooking shelters.

Building a rock ring in place of these designated pits is not permitted, and random fires are never allowed.

To safely enjoy a campfire in the park:

  • Keep campfires small and only in designated fire rings or boxes.
  • Never leave a campfire unattended.
  • Completely extinguish campfires with water — soak it, stir it, and soak it again until it’s cool to the touch before leaving it.
  • Naturally occurring wildfires, such as those from lightning strikes, can’t be prevented, but human-caused fires can. Parks Canada asks the public to help keep communities and first responders safe by not lighting illegal campfires.

Report wildfires, illegal campfires or suspicious smoke to Parks Canada Dispatch at 1-888-927-3367.

For the most current fire ban information, visit albertafirebans.ca.

Fire Bans, Fire Restrictions

Man and young girl in orange t-shirts wave while standing with their bicycles

Father-daughter cyclists ride to fight childhood cancer

When Arnei de Guzman moved to Canada, he struggled with homesickness and wondered if he’d made the right call. A Facebook post about the Great Cycle Challenge led to the sense of purpose he yearned for.

Each August, the national event sees riders set distance goals and raise money for childhood cancer research. Since it began in 2016, nationwide participants have ridden more than 31 million kilometres and raised more than $61 million to combat kids’ cancer.

Inspired by the cause, Arnei rode in 2021 and has never looked back.

Now taking on the challenge for a sixth consecutive year, he looks to build on the 1,144 kilometres he has ridden and $7,690 he has raised for the SickKids Foundation.

“I choose to help them because they don’t want this kind of illness,” Arnei says. “For me, that’s the only thing that I can do for them — riding my bike and asking some of my friends to do the fundraising.”

This year’s ride carries personal significance — his father-in-law is a cancer survivor and his nephew is living with metastatic cancer.

“This ride is for him,” Arnei says.

To buy his first bike, Arnei worked two jobs while settling into life in Canada. Over the years, the challenge has become about far more than cycling, giving him purpose while meeting new people and strengthening his ties to the community.

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“A lot of people, a lot of the Filipino community here in town supported me, so I became motivated again,” he says.

One of his favourite memories is exploring southwestern Alberta by bicycle, especially the Waterton area, which he says made him feel alive while providing peace and purpose.

Arnei also draws inspiration from his daughter, Freya, hoping participating in the challenge will teach her the importance of helping others.

“I’m doing this because I want my little girl to see how beautiful it is to live when you’re going to help someone,” he says.

Freya is riding in the Great Cycle Challenge for a third consecutive year. To date, she has ridden 79 kilometres and raised $1,552.

“Right now, over 1,700 children are diagnosed with cancer every year and it’s the biggest killer of children from disease in Canada. Kids should be living life, not fighting for it,” Freya wrote on her rider profile.

Arnei’s mountain bike, which he says holds special sentimental value, was recently stolen and later recovered with significant damage but the setback isn’t stopping him. He plans to ride this year on his road bike.

When it was suggested community members would help him buy a replacement, he asked them to give to the fundraiser instead.

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“If anyone is thinking of helping me, I would respectfully ask that you consider supporting my fundraiser instead of helping me buy a new bike,” he wrote on Facebook. “Your generosity will go directly toward helping children who are bravely fighting cancer.”

Arnei says his fundraising remains his priority because he still has another bike he can ride, while children fighting cancer need support now.

“A new bike can wait,” he says. “If people want to help me, I’d rather they donate to the fundraiser so that children with cancer can receive the medicine and care they need. If a donation can help ease a child’s pain, even for just one day, then that’s far more important to me than getting a new bike.”

He is grateful to the community for helping him recover the stolen bike.

“It meant a lot,” says Arnei. “I never thought that I could recover my bike again.”

For this year’s challenge, Arnei has set a goal of riding 100 kilometres and raising $500, with $159 raised so far. He plans to do the ride on his birthday, Aug. 7.

Freya has set a goal of riding 75 kilometres and has already raised $500 this year.

Arnei says helping people who can’t repay the kindness is reward enough for him.

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“If you are going to help, you don’t need to expect anything to come back from the people that you help,” he says. “That’s why I always choose to help the people that don’t have the capability to give back that help.”

More information about Arnei and Freya’s Great Cycle Challenge, including how to donate, is available online through their rider profiles at greatcyclechallenge.ca.

Cancer Survivors, Childhood Cancer Research, Community Support, Cycling, Fundraising, Great Cycle Challenge

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Briefs from May 12 MD of Pincher Creek council table

MD of Pincher Creek council dealt with recycling changes, a Burmis Lake lease transfer, summer meeting cancellations, sponsorship requests and several land matters during its May 12 meeting.

Reeve Rick Lemire and Couns. Dave Cox, John MacGarva and Jim Welsch were present; Coun. Tony Bruder was absent.

Recycling changes

Council approved a public information release regarding upcoming changes to curbside and depot recycling services, scheduled to begin Oct. 1.

The changes fall under Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility framework and will bring single-stream recycling to Lundbreck and Beaver Mines at no cost to residents.

The Eco Centre will also transition to a single-stream system, with compensation provided through Circular Materials.

Administration said new material streams will be introduced, along with a provincewide education campaign expected to begin in mid year. The MD will release information ahead of that campaign and co-ordinate messaging with the Town of Pincher Creek.

Public communication will be made through social media, the MD website, email lists, newspaper advertising and community organizations.

Burmis Lake lease

Council approved the transfer of Recreation Lease 2348 for Burmis Lake from the MD of Pincher Creek to the Alberta Conservation Association.

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The municipality has held the lease since 1965 but has not been responsible for site operations or maintenance beyond minor road upkeep. The Alberta Conservation Association has managed the area for years, including fish stocking and contracted maintenance work.

Administration said the transfer aligns the lease with the organization already carrying out day-to-day management.

The MD will cover a $3,150 administrative transfer fee, through its operating budget.

Summer meeting schedule

Council approved cancelling regular council and committee meetings scheduled for July 28 and Aug. 11, along with municipal planning commission and subdivision authority meetings set for Aug. 4.

The motion allows meetings to be called if urgent matters arise.

Funding requests and provincial programs

Council reviewed several correspondence items, including a support request from Pincher Creek Minor Hockey Association for its upcoming golf fundraiser. A raffle basket donation valued up to $75 will be funded through the operating budget.

Council also received information on Alberta Day 2026, a provincewide initiative encouraging municipalities to host local celebrations between Aug. 29 and Sept. 1, with funding available based on population.

Family and Community Support Services encouraged council participation in a seniors’ needs discussion being organized in the community. Coun. Welsch will attend, with Coun. Cox as alternate.

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Council approved a $250 sponsorship for the 2026 Huckleberry Festival at Castle Mountain Resort, happening primarily on Aug. 22.

Council also declared May 19 as Family Doctor Day in the MD, recognizing family physicians and primary-care providers.

April delegations formally received

Council formally received as information several updates presented at the April 28 council committee meeting.

Waterton Lakes National Park provided information on its 2026 operational priorities. These include continued restrictions on non-motorized watercraft, aquatic invasive species prevention, and expanded visitor management tools such as 511 alerts and additional signage to manage park capacity.

Council also received an update from Pincher Creek Curling Club outlining revised project costs now exceeding $5 million and a funding shortfall of about $1.6 million. The club also indicated interest in having a council representative sit on its building committee to strengthen communication during the project.

A third presentation, from resident Marco Bergeron, raised concerns about municipal water rates following recent increases. Administration noted the MD has been implementing staggered increases over four years to bring rates closer to mid-range levels compared to other municipalities.

Closed session

Following a closed session, council authorized attendance at a June 29 meeting and tour at Pincher Creek Airport.

Council also approved the sale of municipally owned Lots 1 and 2, Block 8, Plan 1993N in Pincher Station at fair market value under MD policy.

Another motion approved a request to close and purchase portions of undeveloped road allowance near NW-7-4-28-W4 and NE-12-4-29-W4, with the applicant responsible for associated costs.

Alberta Day, Aquatic Invasive Species, Community Sponsorship, Extended Producer Responsibility, Family Doctor Day, Huckleberry Festival, Municipal Governance, Road Allowances, Single-Stream Recycling, Water Rates

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Briefs from April 14 MD of Pincher Creek council table

MD of Pincher Creek council addressed a mix of regulatory updates, financial decisions and community matters at its April 14 meeting, with several items carrying long-term implications for residents and local organizations.

Highlights include a public hearing on proposed land-use definitions for dugouts and agricultural reservoirs, passage of the 2026 tax rate bylaw, and approvals related to infrastructure, municipal policy updates and regional emergency preparedness.

No objections to land-use bylaw changes

Council opened a public hearing for Bylaw 1369-26, which proposes amendments to the municipality’s land-use bylaw to better define and regulate dugouts and agricultural water reservoirs in agriculturally oriented districts.

Reeve Rick Lemire said the changes are intended to clearly distinguish between smaller dugouts and larger-scale agricultural water reservoirs, particularly based on size and whether water storage occurs above or below natural grade.

Under proposed definitions, dugouts generally refer to excavated water storage below ground level, while reservoirs exceeding one acre or involving above-grade storage would be classified separately and subject to additional requirements.

The bylaw also introduces provisions allowing certain dugouts and reservoirs to proceed without a development permit if they meet setback, sightline and capacity requirements. Additional rules address safety measures such as setbacks from roadways, potential fencing near residences and engineering requirements for larger projects.

No members of the public spoke at the hearing and no written submissions were received.

Council supports community events and receives gas co-op presentation

Council approved a $300 donation for the Blackfoot Memorandum of Understanding pancake breakfast scheduled for July 18 in Standoff, and authorized Coun. Dave Cox to attend the event.

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Council also received as information a presentation delivered by representatives of Chief Mountain Gas Co-op at its March 24 meeting. The co-operative, which serves more than 1,700 members, provided an overview of operations, infrastructure and cost structure compared to other providers.

Councillors raised questions about potential service expansion, though franchise areas are fixed and changes will require formal agreements.

Concerns over litter and overnight parking near Waterton

A letter will be sent to Alberta Transportation highlighting concerns about the Pine Ridge turnout along Highway 6, north of Waterton Lakes National Park. Council will request additional signage to prohibit overnight parking, and more frequent garbage collection to address ongoing litter issues.

Heritage Acres road and access project supported

Public works will support Heritage Acres with an approach for a new access road and expanded parking. Municipal fees will be waived. The project will improve visitor flow for events like the Annual Show in July, and support equipment loading and demonstrations.

Tax rate bylaw approved

Council gave all three readings to Bylaw 1371-26, establishing the MD’s 2026 tax rates and confirming revenue needed for operations and planned projects. The bylaw authorizes about $14.66 million to be raised through municipal taxation, based on a total assessment of just over $2.01 billion.

The 2026 budget includes $3.45 million in non-tax revenue, $14.47 million in operating expenses and $4.58 million in capital spending, along with debt repayment and reserve transfers to balance funding requirements.

Residential and farmland properties make up about $989 million of the assessment base, while non-residential properties account for just over $1.02 billion.

Including requisitions for education and other bodies, the total property tax levy amounts to nearly $18.94 million.

The bylaw also maintains a minimum municipal tax of $25 per parcel.

Library agreement updated

Council authorized the reeve and chief administrative officer to sign a revised joint intermunicipal library agreement, and approved corresponding updates to the library board bylaw.

The revisions follow recent provincial changes allowing more than three municipalities to participate in a joint library agreement. While practical expansion options remain limited, the update provides a framework should additional municipalities become eligible to join.

Compensation for additional meetings

Council approved remuneration for councillors attending two recent meetings that fell outside regular duties: an April 7 meeting with Environment and Protected Areas Minister Grant Hunter and an April 13 meeting with the RCMP southern Alberta district officer, attended by Reeve Lemire and Coun. Jim Welsch.

Fees and charges policy updated

Council approved amendments to its fees and charges policy, reflecting updated rates across several municipal services.

Changes include increased fees for approaches, pipeline crossings, seismic approvals, and rig move inspections, as well as updated rates for grader work and development-related permits.

New deputy director appointed for regional emergency management

Council appointed Michelle Stuart as deputy regional director of emergency management, following a recommendation from the regional emergency advisory committee.

Stuart brings more than two decades of experience in emergency services, including roles in firefighting, paramedicine, industrial response and safety co-ordination. Her appointment fills a pending vacancy and supports continued regional collaboration in emergency preparedness and response.

Councillor to attend Boundary Creek open house

Coun. Tony Bruder would be attending the Boundary Creek Landowners Association open house on May 2. The event focused on environmentally significant areas and ecological connectivity, offering residents and stakeholders an opportunity to learn about evolving land-use planning approaches in Alberta.

Community Funding, Emergency Management, Environmental Planning, Highway 6, Infrastructure, Land-Use Planning, Municipal Bylaw, Municipal Tax, public hearing

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News briefs from April 13 town council table

Pincher Creek town council heard updates on record-breaking visitation to Waterton Lakes National Park, discussed future land-use options for the old fire hall property and approved a community donation during its regular meeting on April 13.

Council also received presentations from Waterton Lakes officials and 4-H members, and dealt with regional collaboration and emergency management matters.

Waterton addresses rising visitation

Officials from Waterton Lakes National Park told council the park set a new attendance record in 2025, welcoming about 585,000 visitors — an increase of roughly eight per cent.

More than half of those visitors arrived during July and August, with September also seeing growing demand. The park is working to manage increased pressure on infrastructure and staffing, particularly during peak periods.

“We’re trying to figure out how to encourage people to come at some of our less busy times of year, whether it’s during the week in the summertime, or spring and fall, and still have a similar experience,” said the park’s visitor experience manager, Christy Gustavison.

New measures aimed at improving visitor experience and managing higher volumes include developing a long-range visitor use management framework and exploring options such as paid parking, timed or reservable entry and transportation partnerships. Public engagement is expected in coming months.

To further support visitor convenience and reduce congestion, Waterton plans to improve traffic communication with electronic signage outside the park and real-time updates through Alberta 511. The measures are intended to help travellers make informed decisions before reaching the park, particularly during peak weekends.

These changes could have a spillover effect in Pincher Creek, as visitors may spend time in the community if access to the park is temporarily restricted.

4-H club marking milestone year

Foothills 4-H Beef Club appeared before council, highlighting the group’s upcoming 80th anniversary and requesting financial support for its annual achievement day.

Club president Hunter McMullen said the event is an opportunity for members to showcase their work and celebrate their accomplishments with the community.

“For 80 years, our club has been helping grow young people in our community through 4-H,” he said, noting members gain skills in responsibility, teamwork and communication.

Councillors offered suggestions for additional fundraising, including reaching out to past members and local organizations.

Regional summit attendance confirmed

Mayor Wayne Oliver and Couns. Bernice Cyr and Valerie Wynder will attend the Infrastructure Services Regional Summit in Lethbridge later this month.

Municipal leaders from across southern Alberta will discuss shared challenges and opportunities in areas such as water services, waste management and procurement.

Old fire hall zoning discussed

Council discussed potential land-use options for the old fire hall property, which is currently designated as public and institutional.

The conversation was prompted by a request from the Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission for guidance on types of development council may support at the site.

Several councillors expressed a preference for residential uses, citing the surrounding neighbourhood. Coun. Brian McGillivray said he would not support industrial or commercial development in the area.

Wynder suggested that a comprehensive mixed-use designation could be considered, allowing for limited commercial activity that aligns with the character of the area.

Coun. Sahra Nodge said she is open to a broader range of uses but cautioned against heavy industrial development, emphasizing the need to balance economic opportunities with neighbourhood impacts.

Oliver noted general agreement against heavy industrial uses, while opinions on commercial development remained mixed.

Council accepted the report as information and decided not to issue a formal letter, citing the need to remain open-minded during any future rezoning process. Instead, council representatives will communicate general feedback informally to the commission.

Administration indicated that a typical rezoning process takes three to four months.

Emergency management appointment

Council approved the appointment of Michelle Stuart as deputy regional director of emergency management, following a recommendation from the Pincher Creek Regional Emergency Advisory Committee.

The role supports co-ordinated emergency planning and response across the town and MD of Pincher Creek and the village of Cowley.

Council supports basketball team

Council voted to provide a $500 donation to the Matthew Halton senior girls basketball team, which recently won silver at the provincial championships.

Oliver suggested the town match support from the MD.

While some concern was raised about setting a precedent for future funding requests, other councillors spoke in favour of recognizing the team’s achievement.

“I think we should celebrate the success of the athletes of our community,” said Nodge.

Tourism forum

Cyr and Nodge will attend a regional tourism discussion hosted by the South Canadian Rockies Tourism Association. The session will focus on and findings from a recent resident sentiment survey.

Emergency Management, Land Use, Municipal Governance, Tourism, Youth Sports