Resort On The Crow.

[fisher26]

Bridgecreek Development Corporation is preparing to develop Bridgegate on Crowsnest Lake. International lakeside destination resort in the Canadian Rockies. When complete, the 26 acre, $1.8 billion resort will feature a five-star hotel, nordic centre, up to 2000 condominiums, casino, world-class Etea spa, fitness centre, conference centre, theatre, restaurants, shops and boutiques.

 

 

 

Enjoy the scenery and good fishing while it lasts. At least you can stop in at the casino and fitness centre when there's no more fish left.

[jones]

Ho hum.they been yakking about that down there for years. one day it will probably happen. They had ads in some alberta papers and the last i herd they were getting desperate. has to be 4 yrs old now.

[Nick0Danger]

It passed though the whole approval process. Just cant get investment.

[bloom]

It passed though the whole approval process. Just cant get investment.

 

 

Yup, at one point I informed them I was interested in the river run properties, and now I get a phone call or email at least once a month.

[Taco]

Looks like they dropped the marina part of the proposal...musta seen the 2 1/2 metre waves when the wind kicked in

[fisher26]

It's only a matter of time before they raise the investment required. After all we do live in Oilberta.

[timehh]

I'm not sure a 5 star resort of this scale will ever work in the pass. The area just doesn't really lend itself to becoming a profitable high end resort of any magnitude. The lake is too cold and the area is too windy for most water sports on the lake. There is no high end skiing without traveling to BC. The train goes right past the area at pretty much any time of day, there's significant highway noise. there are no quality golf courses in the immediate area, it's 2 hours away from the nearest international airport etc. etc.

 

5 star natural beauty yes, amenities to accommodate a 5 star resort no.

[Harps]

http://www.crowsnestlake.com/

[trailhead]

The one on the lake will be a tough sell, it is windy, the water is cold; and the market that wants to be on water is into waterskiing etc. However the River Run development across the highway from the Crowsnest Golf Course is well on it's way. It is right on the river, and looks to have many of the same proposed amenities as the lake. Plus the golf course may not be world class as far as the clubhouse goes but the locale and the holes are pretty sweet. So I think that will be the start, after all in 1986 nobody in their right mind wanted to buy in Canmore, or Fernie. Let's hope that the developer delivers on his environmentally sensitive promises.

[fisher26]

The reality is the wilderness in the pass is slowly disappearing. Soon it WILL be another Canmore or Fernie. And I for one don't want to fish in the midst of resorts, condos, spas and golf courses. The crow is a fragile river and I doubt how long it can handle all the development and extra fishing pressure.

 

Now it's ok but in 25 years it'll be a mess. Forget about the fishing when the rivers lined with golf courses and spas.

[Harps]

The crow is a fragile river and I doubt how long it can handle all the development and extra fishing pressure.

 

Or the loss of water??

Every where in Alberta, this is becoming an issue.

Water for snow-making, lawns, toilets, fountains, people... or water for fish.

[fisher26]

You’re too right Harps. I actually never thought of that, but the amount of water required to run a resort is massive. Watering those big golf courses would alone use huge amounts of water and the pesticides, chemicals, and golf balls would be washed into the river. It'll be a sad day when I start picking up golf balls in the crow.

[mikefromsundre]

Hey guys, except for the obvious pollution for golf courses we need to imbrace them. Remember the more golfers there are the less people fishing. If you are interested Sundre has some awesome courses (lol).

[beedhead]

Bound to turn into the next Canmore...Sooner or later....I hope allot later than Sooner...

[Hawgstoppah]

I just can't see this going down as big as they think it will. Still, it won't be good. What can ya do? People are greedy and want "the best" of everything, including lifestyles where they live in a place like that.

 

If we all go back to living in grass huts, this wouldn't be an issue. But if we keep having children and living in comfortable housing, they gotta build 'em somewhere.

[fisher26]

People don't live in Resort Condos... Its not a matter of accomidating the population. Its building somewhere for oil money to relax.

[reevesr1]

Its building somewhere for oil money to relax.

 

Memo to self:

Don't get sucked in.

[OneMoreLastCast]

Memo to self:

Don't get sucked in.

 

You're stronger than I am Rick.....Held off for the entire day, but the Flames just lost, so......

 

Close to 40 years now watching one thing after another that will "Destroy" the beautiful Mountain Stream named the Crowsnest River.....and guess what, it keeps on doing just fine.

 

The areas in question have never been user friendly, so it is unlikely to impact any anglers as far as removing fishing accessible water. The lake is a wind tunnel and the river across from the Golf Course in Blairmore is pure marsh area that only the mosquitos seem to get any use out of.

If they can develope these areas, create jobs for the area and bring some money into the local economy, I see no problem with the developements.

 

With the strict regulations in place as far as pesticides, etc., it is highly unlikely that the river will suffer from that either.

Also, with the strict regulations in place for water usage, it is also highly unlikely to impact the system.

 

The Crowsnest River, (along with many others), have been through and survived far worse scenarios than the building of resorts that will depend on the continuation of the river staying as is. If they destroy the river that will be the "Center Piece" of their entire project, it wouldn't be good business. They used to dump pure raw sewage into the river as well as many other things that were far worse than these proposals.

 

You mention Canmore and Banff.....Is there many more beautiful and Clean rivers anywhere in the world than the Upper Bow River?

 

In my opinion there are far more important battles to take on than this one.

 

Is this concern for the River, or is it an excuse to go on a rant about Big Oil Industry Money?

 

 

I almost deleted this post a few times, but decided to hit the "Add Reply" in the end.....Just my opinion.

[OneMoreLastCast]

...Oh, and don't dare question my concern for our water systems. My record, contributions and time spent speak for itself.

[beedhead]

The River gets allot of traffic now as it is....Can you Imagine how Crowded the River will be if the Resort goes in???..

 

That won't be good for the River or the Fish...ie..Litter...Fish being pulled from the river...Poaching...So on and so on...My thoughts....

[mikefromsundre]

Used to stay at the bed and breakfast (Rum Runners) that sat on the site they want to develop. The area was a mess and could use some cleaning up. I would be very nervous of living on the site though as the old power plant did have PCB contamination. The past ower new it and somehow she managed to sell to the current developers. Perhaps they did not do their homework. Story she had as long as she did not disturb the grounds around the plant it was okay. What happens when you start construction?

I also have not fished the Crow for a couple of years. Getting way too crowded for me. Last time I was on it I had a guy from a deep southern US state tell me where I should be fishing and what I should be using.

[OneMoreLastCast]

Please stop sending me PMs on this topic.

 

I did not say that I thought it would be good for the river, or that it wouldn't hurt the river. I said that the river, and many just like it, have survived much worse and will survive this.

 

I also said that it would be in the owners best interest to preserve the river in its present state, if not improve on it as the river will be the main focal point of the resort.

 

If what I wrote is too confusing for some of you, I apologize. In the future I will do my best not to use any big words. Actually, I think I will just read the odd report, make a smart ass comment occassionally and check my PMs to stay in touch with friends.

 

This is aimed at the people that sent me nasty PMs because "I don't have a clue about the Crowsnest River..." and "They've been fishing it for almost 10 years....".

 

I guess the almost 40 years of my life spent in the area and the over 100 years that my family has been, and still lives in the area don't matter.

 

Of course we have to do our best to look after our waters, but we also have to be realistic. The two proposed sites will have no impact on the fishermen and the regulations/laws will protect the fishery.

 

I won't be participating any further in this thread and will be deleting anymore PMs I receive.

[Harps]

The lake is a wind tunnel and the river across from the Golf Course in Blairmore is pure marsh area that only the mosquitos seem to get any use out of.

 

I've been ignoring the conversation... but what part of the river is pure marsh??

I was on the river across from the golf course last week and saw a pile of redds.

 

More than mosquitos... and something good happening soon to the area between Blairmore and Coleman!

[trailhead]

The River gets allot of traffic now as it is....Can you Imagine how Crowded the River will be if the Resort goes in???..

 

That won't be good for the River or the Fish...ie..Litter...Fish being pulled from the river...Poaching...So on and so on...My thoughts....

 

I don't think it will increase the amount of pressure on the river, most of the fishermen are tourists that are staying in Fernie, or locals, or Albertans that have bought a vacation home there, and I have heard lately there are more from Edmonton than Calgary. Most tourists aren't fishermen, look at the Bow not an exponential increase in fishermen since Canmore got built up. I have run into fishermen on the Crow from Maryland, Oklahoma, Ontario, Texas and Switzerland. Oh and the resort across from the golf course isn't being built on a marshland, it's an old site for the slag heap that facilitated the mine which is in ruins just east of the golf course. If you build it they will come. My biggest concern is the road volumes and traffic problems it will cause.

[fisher26]

Close to 40 years now watching one thing after another that will "Destroy" the beautiful Mountain Stream named the Crowsnest River.....and guess what, it keeps on doing just fine

 

That’s sound conservation; you know “It hasn’t died so it’s invincible”. Don’t quite follow you logic there.

 

Other than that you made some good points. I think conflicting opinions is really important when disusing issues so don’t worry about posting. As far as ranting about oil money, I’ve yet to see that done on this board seeing as every second guy works for oil and gas.