The Town of Banff, Alta., will relocate its iconic Banff sign from Mt. Norquay Road to the Banff Train Station—the future site of the Banff Eco Transit Hub—this October.

Mayor Corrie DiManno and Adam and Jan Waterous, owners of Mt. Norquay Ski & Sightseeing Resort and leaseholders of the Banff Railway Lands, marked the start of the move with a groundbreaking on August 5.

The relocation addresses safety concerns caused by drivers stopping on Mt. Norquay Road to photograph the sign. The new location will be on a green space west of the train station, next to the entrance to the free parking lot. The town will redevelop the area into a parkette and gathering space with benches, landscaping, and pathways, at a cost of about $1.2 million. 

What this means

“We’re grateful to the Waterous family for their generous support in relocating the Banff sign to a more pedestrian-friendly area, which saves taxpayers the cost of this highly anticipated transition,” said Mayor DiManno. “The train station is an ideal new home for this popular landmark, offering a vibrant gathering place and a great photo opportunity for visitors. It also reinforces the welcoming spirit of this evolving arrival hub.”

“We are thrilled to provide a new home for the Banff sign at the train station,” said Jan Waterous, managing director of Liricon Capital. “The sign will contribute to the revitalization of the Railway Lands and provide a welcoming space for visitors. It deeply aligns with our vision to ease traffic congestion in Banff.” The Waterous family, through Liricon Capital, will cover all relocation costs under a public-private partnership with the Town of Banff. The project aligns with the Banff Railway Lands Area Redevelopment Plan, which aims to restore the site as a visitor arrival centre and sustainable transportation hub.