Eight Banff heritage leaders to be recognized

Banff builder Larry Bakstad believes heritage buildings are special and deserving of restoration.

The long-time owner of Banff General Construction is one of eight organizations and individuals to be honoured at the Academy Awards of Banff's heritage tourism industry Thursday (May 15) for their contribution in bringing to life the heritage values that are unique to Banff National Park.

Bakstad is the recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award.

He has been working on the conservation of heritage buildings in Banff for more than 30 years, including the park superintendent's residence, the Banff Park Museum and the Cave & Basin National Historic Site.

Bakstad, who first came to Banff in 1962, said he is extremely grateful for the award.

"I'm very Canadian and see the importance of our heritage. We don't have very much heritage here in the West actually," he said.

"We've gained a reputation for being able to handle these jobs."

Banff Heritage Tourism, The Banff Heritage Corporation and the Interpretive Guides Association (formerly Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association) will hand out the awards at an annual event May 15.

Grant Canning, executive director of Banff Heritage Tourism, said the Banff community is lucky to have some outstanding organizations and individuals who have done extraordinary things to promote the values of heritage tourism and heritage conservation.

"We want to recognize businesses and individuals that have done truly great things in this realm of heritage. Everyone recognizes heritage tourism and heritage conservation is important and defines us as a destination," he said.

"Quite frankly, it's one of our competitive advantages, something we have that most other places don't. In taking that step forward, we want to recognize those people who have done extraordinary things."

Banff Heritage Tourism will be recognizing three organizations and two individuals who have done a great 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 1,200 staff and front-line workers annually attending the program and becoming informed ambassadors for Banff.

• 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.

• Banff Lodging Company 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 Fox Suites & Hotel.

Gordon Lozeman, president of Banff Lodging Company, said he was thrilled to hear that the company had won an award.

"We are very proud of how it turned out, so this just reinforces that pride. It's always nice to get independent recognition of your efforts," he said.

"We always wanted to create something a little different, something with a real heritage look and feel to it. That's why we made such a big investment in the exterior stone. Having the Cave-and-Basin themed pool and gallery just seemed to be a natural fit."

Banff Heritage Tourism will also recognize the following two individuals:

• Dave Moberg, guest relations manager at the Fairmont Banff Springs, who for more than 46 years has been a walking showcase for the national park. Between the creation and development of the heritage hotel tours and his involvement with the Heritage Hall gallery, Moberg has created amazing memories for tens of thousands of visitors to the hotel and park.

• 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 more than three decades.

The Banff Heritage Corporation will present two awards.

The recipients will be:

• 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 is being recognized for its outstanding efforts to restore and rehabilitate the Old Crag Cabin at 211 Bear Street. One of Banff's oldest and 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.

• Larry Bakstad of Banff General Construction is the recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Megan Squires, heritage planner for the Town of Banff, said heritage conservation is about protecting and preserving Banff's rich inventory of heritage resources.

"Without question, this community's strong local identity is enriched by the ongoing commitment of individuals and organizations to conserve the places, spaces, and stories of our past," she said.

The Interpretive Guides Association will recognize:

• 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.

The event is open to the general public and everyone is welcome. The reception begins at 6 p.m., with the formal program beginning at 6:30 p.m..