Car-free Banff? Company pitches ambitious gondola, parking project

The owners of Banff Train Station andMount Norquay ski resortwant to build a new gondola and massive parking lot in Banffto help ease traffic congestion.

The company,Liricon Capital saysa 2500-stallparking lot and agondola from the town of Banff to Mount Norquayski resort will benefit visitors to the park and create an "eco-transit hub."

"I think the most important thing to realize is there is massive support for what we're doing," said Jan Waterous, who ownsLiricon Capital with her husband, AdamWaterous.

In a news release, Waterous saidher family was concerned about the impact of vehicle congestion, and that their vision is to eventually createa car-free Banff.

"We kept wondering what 'they'were going to do about it. We came to the realization that we should stop complaining and join the 'they' to try to solve this park-wide problem," she said.

According to the Liricon Capital's poll,87 per cent of residents thinkvehicle congestion is a problem in Banff.

"Surveys show strong public support for new intercept parking and proposed aerial transit to MountNorquay and Calgary Airport to Banff passenger rail service to improve walkability, alleviate traffic congestion in the Town of Banff and enhance the Cascade Wildlife Corridor," saidWaterous.

But conservationistHarvey Locke disagrees thatthe majority of people would support the massive project andsaidthe questions in the survey were leading.

"This is an effort to dress up some multi-layered scheme with a Heritage Park-type village, and some discussion of a car-free Banff, and a giant new parking lot, and a gondola for private gain and calling it some kind of a gain."

Currently, Liricon Capital says there's no timeline for the project.

In a statement, Parks Canada said the proposal isunder review.