Stories from the Trails: Sustainability Meets Social Impact at YWCA Banff’s Priscilla’s Place

A day at YWCA Banff’s Dr. Priscilla Wilson’s Place, or better known as “Priscilla’s Place”, begins with solar panels gleaming on its rooftops, residents unlocking their bikes from a bustling storage room, and a pride flag fluttering at the entrance, welcoming all. More than just housing, Priscilla’s Place supports the people who make Banff’s tourism experiences possible, including those working in hospitality, retail, guiding, and beyond.

Named after Dr. Priscilla Wilson, the first female doctor in Banff known for her positive community impact as well as her dedication to healthcare and gender equality, Priscilla’s Place is more than just housing. It’s an example of an inclusive, affordable, and sustainable community building in Banff National Park.

“Priscilla’s Place was inspired by the belief that housing is a human right and the urgent need for dignified, truly affordable housing in the Bow Valley,” shared Salina McNamara, Director of Resource Development & Communications at YWCA Banff. “It’s a response to systemic barriers and is designed to uplift those most impacted by the housing crisis with sustainable, inclusive, and accessible housing that meets Banff residents’ long-term needs.”

Sustainability with heart

At the core, YWCA Banff’s mission is to shape a safe and inclusive Bow Valley that empowers women and their community for a better future. Through both its purpose and design, Priscilla’s Place brings this mission to life.

Priscilla’s Place is one of the first NetZero, multi-unit buildings in Banff National Park. Constructed from 62 repurposed shipping containers, the building is a marvel of modular, low-impact architecture and its hybrid and innovative construction allowed for faster, more efficient building with less waste.

Priscilla’s Place achieves NetZero performance-by balancing greenhouse gas emissions with an equal amount of removal, effectively having a neutral impact on the atmosphere. The building does this through a combination of heat recovery ventilation systems, LED lighting and efficient electrical design, and rooftop photovoltaic solar panels. Energy performance is tracked monthly using data from utility bills and solar output, helping to guide ongoing improvements and ensure the building stays on course with its sustainability goals.

But sustainability here goes beyond infrastructure. The building’s bike-friendly layout, pet-friendly policies, and proximity to trails and transit reflect Banff’s active, low-carbon lifestyle and values.

The people of Priscilla's Place

Beyond the steel and solar panels, Priscilla’s Place is a home just under 60 residents. With 33 energy-efficient units, the building fills a critical gap in Banff’s housing crisis. It provides safety and stability for many individuals and families in the community.

“Many of our residents are the frontline workers who make Banff’s visitor experience possible, from hospitality to retail, from housekeeping to guiding tours,” says Salina. “They are the heartbeat of our town and the backbone of Banff’s tourism economy. Ensuring they have access to safe, inclusive, and truly affordable housing isn’t just a matter of equity, it’s an investment in the sustainability and humanity of our core industry. When the people who serve our visitors are themselves cared for, our entire community and every guest experience is stronger for it.”

Local artist and Priscilla’s Place resident Pauline Brennen shared, “I’ve lived in this building since the very beginning when it opened. I love being here—it gives me an affordable and safe space to do my art and the opportunity to live in these beautiful mountains. Seeing the Pride flag every day reminds me of how wonderful this community is.”

Priscilla’s Place is a powerful example of tourism leading with purpose, embodying the vision to lead tourism for good. It aligns with the Nature Positive and Climate Action trail by reducing environmental impact and embracing low-carbon living. And it supports Community Wellbeingby ensuring that those who make Banff’s visitor experience possible have a safe, inclusive place to call home.

Priscilla’s Place reminds us that a great place to live is the foundation of a great place to visit. By investing in people and protecting this place, we can build a tourism economy that is not only sustainable—but truly regenerative.