RE: RE — MAKICHUK: The nightmare of Banff — visitors face exorbitant prices."Hi Dave, I enjoy your articles even if I don’t always agree with your point of view, which is the case today. I lived in Canmore from 1999 to 2013, and it expanded greatly while I was there..The Canmore businesses resent the fact that people from Calgary can spend a day or afternoon in Canmore without having to pay any fees and not necessarily buying anything but a burger or ice cream cone, while Canmore business taxes have gone up in order to pay for accommodating the visitors. .Banff was already over-run when I left in the fall of 2013. While I lived and worked there, nothing I disliked more than having to go to Banff on business appointments and having to deal with tourists who didn’t obey the street lights. The closing of the main street has eliminated a good part of that issue I think! .If it was affordable for lower income people, it would be even more crowded — the local wildlife is already stressed by all of the lookie-loos. About 15 years ago, a couple of us had decided to walk along the lake on the outskirts of Banff. We were warned that there was a black bear and her cub up ahead so we turned around. We met a group of 20 somethings and warned them. Their response was that there were several of them so they weren’t worried and carried on. Absolute stupidity! .Add to that — yes, we’ve heard these “tall tales” before but they are true — the couple I was talking to were not aware that these bears were not tame!!!!! Also trying to pet the elk is a very big no-no. Therefore, I’m not upset by the fact that many people cannot afford to go to Banff. .In my opinion, the park should only allow a certain amount of people into the park because the trails are over-run as well. I have a friend living in Canmore who is an avid hiker and is very concerned about the numbers of people she now meets on trails that used to be quiet. .What is sad is that people don’t recognize that they should be respectful of the wilderness and its inhabitants. If all they want is cheaper hotels and shopping, they should stick to the city or an outlying town from which they can drive in for the day. .There are areas that non-residents and locals can visit for free outside of the park but you won’t be shopping or doing any fine dining there. Sorry, not much sympathy from me.".Alda Bouvier.Regina, SK
