A BIG new project is in the works for downtown Banff
A new project in the works for downtown Banff is set to reshape how the area looks, and it’s been in the cards for decades.
The 200-Block Banff Avenue Redevelopment has been on the table from Parks Canada since the late 1990s after the federal agency noticed a need to improve reception, orientation, and education services for visitors to the park.
It was determined that the best place to deliver the improvements would be in the heart of Banff, where 80% of visitors stop during their trip. Knowing it would take many years to come to fruition, Parks Canada began acquiring the necessary lands on the 200-block of Banff Avenue.
In 2022, Parks Canada received initial funding to proceed with detailed site studies of the 200-block of Banff Avenue and initiate engagement with Indigenous communities, stakeholders and the public on the vision for redevelopment.
During that initial engagement Parks Canada heard from respondents that the redevelopment of the 200-block of Banff Avenue presents a unique opportunity to:
- modernize facilities and open spaces in downtown Banff to welcome national park visitors,
- encourage connection with the national park,
- foster a welcoming and vibrant community, and
- look at options to address housing needs for eligible residents
Parks Canada
Given the scope and legacy of this project, Parks Canada has contracted the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) to oversee an International Design Competition. The competition is set to end in March 2026, will follow established standards and protocols, and bring professional expertise to the evaluation process to generate conceptual designs for the site.
“This is a rare, once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine and transform a vital public space in Banff National Park. Parks Canada has listened to the voices of Indigenous communities, stakeholders, local residents, and Canadians from every corner of the country who all share a deep connection to the future of this remarkable place,” said Ron Hallman, president and chief executive officer of Parks Canada.
“Today’s announcement marks a crucial step towards a concept design — one that will not only honour the heritage of Canada’s first national park but also invite the world to experience the natural beauty and timeless wonder of this cherished destination.”
The costs of redeveloping the site for the new project in the heart of downtown Banff are not known at this point, as there is no final design.