CBC Radio Calgary takes over Lake Louise transmitter, improving quality and range

Canadians can now hear CBC Radio loud and clear in Lake Louise, Alta.

From the hill, highway, town even from a canoe in middle of the lake.

Paul Karchut tests CBC Radio's new transmitter from middle of Lake Louise

8 years ago

Duration 2:21

Paul Karchut got in a canoe and paddled to the middle of Lake Louise to test CBC Radio's new transmitter.

This week, CBC officially took over the Lake Louise transmitter, which was built and managed by a group of die-hard CBC fans.

For years, the transmitter had spotty service and broadcast news from 800 kilometres away in Vancouver.

Now, people visiting the area will be able to hear CBC Radio programming out of Calgary and southern Alberta on 103.9 FM.

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CBC has identified this area as high priority for providing a reliable RA-1 service with better coverage and will improve the quality and range of the signal.

Lake of the Little Fishes

Lake Louise has had three names.

It was first called Lake of the Little Fishes by the Stoney Nation people, who introduced the teal waters to mountain guide and outfitter, Tom Wilson.

Wilson was the first non-native man to see Lake Louise. He named it Emerald Lake, but it didn't stick.

"That only lasted for a year," said Doug Cotes, senior interpreter at Heritage Park in Calgary.

It was changed to honour Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Laggan Station

The CPR's first railway station in Lake Louise was named Laggan, after the Scottish village.

"The home of Donald Smith one of the chief financiers and directors of the CPR and the famous man with the beard in the driving of the last spike photo," said Cotes.

The circa-1886 station was donated by the CPR to Heritage Park in the 1970s. At the time, it was no longer in operation and was being used to store railway spikes and oil drums, said Cotes.

• With files from the CBC's Paul Karchut and the Calgary Eyeoepener