Sparwood awards paving contract, town hall debated
Sparwood council has awarded its 2026 paving program contract to Terrace Construction while also signalling it may skip a planned town hall later this spring as the current council nears the end of its term.
Farm animals approved for Michel Creek Road
Sparwood council has adopted a zoning amendment that will formally allow farm animals on Michel Creek Road properties where that type of use has existed for years.
Sparwood staff flag illegal suites, permit gaps
Sparwood’s planning and development department used a March 17 presentation to give council a closer look at the daily pressures facing the building department and the growing importance of geographic information systems, or GIS, across the municipality.
Recycling bylaws approved in Sparwood
Sparwood council has approved the bylaw changes needed to launch its new district wide curbside recycling program and move ahead with a food waste diversion pilot this spring.
Who carries the cost of the change?
The decision by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) to eliminate seasonal time changes may look minor on paper. No more switching clocks twice a year. Problem solved.
Procedure bylaw moves forward after clash
Crowsnest Pass council gave first reading to a rewritten procedure bylaw March 10, but only after a prolonged debate over how the document had been drafted and whether it went beyond what council originally asked administration to do.
Council approves office borrowing bylaw
Crowsnest Pass council has approved second and third reading of a borrowing bylaw authorizing up to $2.5 million for office upgrades tied to the municipality’s future move into its new administrative space at Crowsnest Commons.
Crowsnest Pass flagged for added wildfire planning
Crowsnest Pass council heard March 10 that the community has been identified by Alberta as one of nine communities needing additional harvest planning and consultation under the province’s Community Hazardous Fuels Reduction program.
Staff urge council to respect chain of command
Union president says staff came to chambers over concerns that comments from council are being directed at employees instead of the CAO
Fire and Ice set to bring communities together for STARS
Crowsnest Pass Fire Rescue is bringing a successful cross border fundraiser home this weekend, with the Fire and Ice Charity Classic set for March 14 at the Coleman Sports Complex in support of STARS.
Blue bins to roll out in Sparwood ahead of April recycling launch
Sparwood residents will start receiving their new curbside recycling bins next week, with the community wide programme set to officially begin the week of April 6.
Sparwood applies for $400K FireSmart grant
Sparwood council has authorised an application for $400,000 in Community Resiliency Investment funding to support the community’s 2026 to 2027 FireSmart program.
Sparwood backs draft budget with 9.75 per cent tax hike
Sparwood council accepted the district’s 2026 to 2030 draft financial plan on March 3 and approved the capital plan for spending, keeping in place a proposed 9.75 per cent municipal tax increase excluding the mine tax pool.
Sparwood leases land to EVR for temporary parking
Sparwood council has approved a six-month lease allowing Elk Valley Resources to use part of 2600 Middletown Place for temporary parking as staff continue settling into the company’s new building.
Council agrees to fulltime agricultural fieldman
A former member of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Agricultural Service Board urged council Feb. 24 to reinstate a full time, year-round agricultural fieldman position and pursue provincial grant funding they said could bring $160,000 annually into the municipality.
Suites approved, parking requirements upheld
Crowsnest Pass council passed a land use bylaw amendment Feb. 24 allowing secondary suites in duplex or semi-detached dwellings and in multi-unit residential buildings.
Crowsnest Pass Municipal office upgrades deferred
Crowsnest Pass council voted Feb. 24 to defer a $2.5 million borrowing bylaw tied to municipal office upgrades after councillors raised concerns about costs, process and the level of detail available before committing to long term financing.
Media policy request shelved by Mayor Rypien
Crowsnest Pass council did not proceed with a planned discussion about developing a municipal media policy at its Feb. 24 meeting, despite a written request that laid out what such a policy could include and why it was being considered.
Michel Creek animal keeping bylaw advances
Sparwood council advanced a zoning amendment Tuesday night that would legalize limited agriculture along Michel Creek Road, following a short public hearing and a staff presentation outlining the proposed changes.
Rec committee hears price range for gym options
Sparwood’s Recreation Facility Advisory Committee heard updated cost estimates for three double gym concepts on Feb. 19, then agreed the next step should include renewed public engagement before the committee recommends a direction to council.

