BEER FEST UPROAR
Group raises concerns
It’s being billed as the most beautiful beer festival in the world, but the location raises concerns for conservationists.
Bow Valley Naturalists, a local conservation group, has sent a letter to officials at Banff National Park expressing disappointment that the Banff Craft Beer Festival is being held at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site.
Officials with the beer festival said they chose the Cave and Basin for their Nov. 27- 28 event with the help of Banff Lake Louise Tourism, which was trying to find ways to bring new visitors to the park during a typically quieter season.
The letter from the Bow Valley Naturalists, however, suggested the festival is “disrespectful of the Aboriginal history of the area,” noting it’s been considered sacred since long before the discovery of it by rail workers in the 1880s.
In addition, they said it’s an “inappropriate event to hold at the site that physically marks and ‘ commemorates the birthplace of Canada’s National Park system’ and has no connection to national parks values.”
No one from Banff National Park was made available for an interview, but a spokeswoman emailed a statement addressing some of the concerns.
“Parks Canada regularly rents the facility off- hours which is a common practice in historic sites across the country,” said Christina Tricomi in the email. “The Cave and Basin will be open with reduced hours and provide free entry to the cave during the two days of the festival.”
She added that the venue has been used before for an opera, weddings and conventions.
“Parks Canada ensures that the historic integrity of its sites are maintained during all events,” said Tricomi, adding there will be no impact on the endangered Banff Springs Snail because there will be no access to the cave or outdoor basins during the festival hours.
The world’s entire population of the Banff Springs Snail, an endangered species, is confined to the thermal springs at the Cave and Basin and other locations in Banff National Park.
In addition to the caves being closed for the event, Alberta Beer Festival’s Robinson said there will be two Parks Canada employees on site to answer any questions attendees have about the historic site and interpretive displays set up to showcase its importance.
There will also be security and their own staff on site to make sure everything runs smoothly, he said.
“Until people have attended these events, they have no idea what they’re like,” said Robinson, noting it’s really a chance for people to talk to local brewmasters, sample their beers and test out restaurants from the area. “It’s not a frat party, by any means.”