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"A Celebration of Banff's Heritage"

"“A Celebration of Banff’s Heritage”

On May 15, 2008 Banff Heritage Tourism, The Banff Heritage Corporation and the Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association teamed up to honour eight outstanding organizations and individuals whose efforts bring to life the heritage values that are unique to Banff National Park.

Banff Heritage Tourism recognized three organizations and two individuals who have done an extraordinary job of creating awareness of heritage tourism values throughout the community. The three organizations include:

  • Lake Louise Mountain Resort, Ski Norquay, Sunshine Village, and their destination marketing organization Ski Banff Lake Louise Sunshine for their commitment to staff orientation and training through the Banff’s Best program. Combined the four organizations are responsible for more than 1200 staff and front-line workers annually attending the program and becoming informed ambassadors for Banff.

Video vignette for Ski Banff Lake Louise Sunshine - Banff's Best

  • Banff Lodging Company, specifically The Fox Hotel & Suites, for the design and creation of the Grotto Hot Pool, a replica of the historic Cave & Basin National Historic Site, and the extensive array of historic photos and interpretive panels throughout the hotel that tell the story of the origins of Banff National Park.

Video vignette for Fox Hotel & Suites

  • Friends of Banff Park Radio, whose mission is to produce and broadcast entertaining, informative and educational radio programming about the natural and cultural history of Banff National Park while inspiring audiences to take an active role in the stewardship of their natural environment.

Video vignette for Friends of Banff Park Radio

Banff Heritage Tourism also recognized the following two individuals:

  • Dave Moberg, Guest Relations Manager at the Fairmont Banff Springs, who for over 46 years has been a walking showcase for national park values. Between the creation and development of the heritage hotel tours and his involvement with the Heritage Hall gallery, Dave has created tremendous memories for tens of thousands of visitors to the hotel and Banff National Park.

Video vignette for Dave Moberg

  • Andrew Whittick, Director of Corporate Development at Brewster, who has championed national park values and stewardship at attractions such as the Banff Gondola and Columbia Icefields for over 3 decades. Through Andrew’s leadership, Brewster has become an industry leader for showcasing what can be achieved when one implements heritage tourism values within their organization.

Video vignette for Andrew Whittick

The Banff Heritage Corporation presented two awards:

  • Larry Bakstad of Banff General Construction is the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Larry was recognized for his outstanding contribution to the conservation of heritage buildings in Banff for over 30 years. Larry has worked on a number of heritage restoration projects throughout the mountain national parks during his career, including the Park Superintendent’s Residence and the Banff Park Museum.

Video vignette for Larry Bakstad

  • Arctos and Bird is the recipient of this year’s award for the Restoration, Rehabilitation, and Adaptive Reuse of a Heritage Building. Arctos and Bird was recognized for its outstanding efforts to restore and rehabilitate the Old Crab Cabin at 211 Bear Street. One of Banff’s oldest and most storied buildings, the Cabin is an integral part of the Bison Courtyard development and it is a testament to the company’s commitment to environmental and heritage conservation.

Video vignette for Arctos and Bird

Finally the Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association recognized:

  • Bruce Bembridge of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for his excellence in interpreting the natural and cultural heritage of the Rocky Mountains in Banff National Park.

Video vignette for Bruce Bembridge

The event was held at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies with over 200 people in attendance.

Banff Heritage Tourism is a partnership between Parks Canada, the Town of Banff and Banff Lake Louise Tourism. Its mission is that every visitor experiences, and is inspired by, the authentic heritage of Banff National Park. The Banff Heritage Corporation was created by the Town of Banff and works toward the protection, preservation, enhancement and promotion of Banff’s built heritage.