John and I always loved the mountains and camping. For many tears, we camped – just breezing by Canmore because we thought there was nothing there. Our first destination was always Banff. Coming back from an Okanagan valley camping trip one year, perhaps about 1985, I noticed there was some clearing being done on the north side of Highway 1. “Look, look, John,” I said, “I think they are going to do some building there. Wouldn’t that be a nice place to build a house? The view would really be outstanding!” John’s reply was “Why would anyone want to build a house up there? Nothing will ever happen there. ” I felt somewhat deflated at his lack of enthusiasm and excitement. Then, about the summer of 1986, we again were coming back from a camping trip in Kelowna. “Look, look, John,” I said again, “there are street lights, the roads are paved, and there are two houses being built. Why don’t we check into it and see what is happening? It sure would be nice to live up there.” (and I still remember the two first houses being built). John’s reply again was “Nothing will happen there, you’ll see. ” I guess for some reason Canmore was calling to me way back then. I also think John has eaten and even choked on some of the words he spoke back then (“nothing will ever happen”, ha, ha!).
Then … in 1987, Rob (son #2) decided to come to the mountains, his first job being at Sunshine Ski Village in the Public Relations Department. He arrived in Banff in October of 1987 and, for a time, lived in his custom-converted van. Then, as the weather got colder, he started looking for a warmer place to live. So, he started scouting around Canmore for affordable housing. Was there affordable housing in Canmore? There was no place to live, let alone affordable housing. Eventually, he did manage to find a (tiny, tiny) basement suite on Fourth Street (there was a waiting list for the suite). Rent was $400.00. We were flabbergasted at what he was paying for what he got. But never mind, Rob was happy as a clam; it was his first time away from home and his very own place. He bought some furniture and decorated it comfy and cosy. Then winter came and he discovered the place was just as cold inside as it was outside. What to do? He borrowed a saw and an axe, and a friend and Rob went up the Spray Road somewhere to cut some wood (should I be telling this?) for the fireplace (such as it was). Upon getting up first thing in the morning, he had to light the fireplace to warm the room up a bit because he could hardly move, it was so cold. Another incident that comes to mind about his first suite – he could hardly afford to pay the rent himself, so he got himself a roommate. Mom and Dad come to visit, his roommate had gone to work – we look into Rob’s bedroom (nice and neat), then we look into the roommate’s bedroom, and I started to laugh. “What’s wrong?” asks John. “Come see!” There was not a square inch of clear space on the floor. The sleeping bag was in the middle of the room on the floor and clothes were all around, covering the floor completely. I guess it was a nice quick way to select your clothes in the morning – they were very close by and handy. It looked so hilarious that I wanted to take a picture but John wouldn’t let me. Have rental situations changed much around Canmore? I don’t think so – well, maybe a bit – but not much. Then Rob made changes, found himself a warmer place to live, and quit Sunshine. The long distance traveling from Canmore and “high” wages made the decision an easy one. He then did many “odds and sods” type of jobs, got to know the wonderful people of Canmore, but still didn’t have two nickels to rub together at times. He hardly came home – Christmas only. The one reason for this was that he had no money (he told us this a few years later); the second reason was he loved Canmore and its people. There was so much to do and it was so beautiful. “Why would I want to come back to the big city and its rat race when there is everything in the mountains and Canmore – and I feel at home here?”
In the early days, when we would come to visit Rob in Canmore, he would drive us around the different areas showing us where the people lived, and tell us about the history of Canmore. I was amazed that he knew so much about Canmore. In his love of the area, he always spoke with great excitement and vision for further potential, growth, and opportunities for this wonderful area of Canmore.
It was through Rob that we discovered there was so much beauty in Canmore and so much on the other side of the train tracks that we had no idea existed. And there were so many beautiful homes. Rob’s constant comment to us was, “You should move here, Mom and Dad – you would like it. ” I had no doubt in mind that I did want To move to Canmore, but — I still had to convince John. His comment was “I’m not moving. I’m happy where I am.” Rob would not give up and, through his constant encouragement, our family did finally purchase two lots in Canyon Close in 1990. The first home “Elk Run Homes” built was sold to a family from Paris, France. We were going to build on the second lot, but a family from Fort McMurray asked us to sell the lot to them and build them a home. So we did, as we were not quite ready to make the move and we had heard that Three Sisters was going to open up a new (AVENS) development next to Canyon Close. I guess by now John was convinced that we should build and move. What convinced him? I guess I did. He was telling everyone that I told him, “I am moving to Canmore – you have a choice; either move with me or stay.” I don’t remember saying that, but I guess my “bluff” gave him second thoughts (good thing). In 1994, we purchased a lot in the Avens area and with much excitement, on March 21, 1995, we started building our new home – thanks to Rob for getting the ball rolling, being the general contractor, and all his help in getting our house completed. Back in Edmonton, October 15, we did the final clean-up, said our good-byes and turned the keys over to the new owners. We loaded our final possessions and headed to Canmore – 5:32 p.m., October 15, 1995, stands out in my mind – the day we arrived in Canmore at 341 Lady MacDonald Crescent – for good. What a feeling! I felt we had finally come home. I guess we were destined to live in Canmore. These days John ‘brags’ to our friends about Canmore even harder than I do!
Gradually, through Rob’s hard work, commitment, vision, and perseverance, he was able to get ahead. He now owns and operates “Target Paint Technologies” in Bow Meadows Crescent, and is part owner of “Elk Run Homes” building operations. Rob recently built a new home in Phase Two of Eagle Terrace, where he now lives.
Since our move here in October of 1995, Doug (son #3) moved here in December of 1995. He always wanted to move to Canmore and “give it a try”. Doug finally convinced Sherry, his girlfriend at the time (and living in Legal, Alberta), to move here. Doug and Sherry are now married and enjoying Canmore very much. They are now living in Eagle Terrace, Phase 2, where they recently built a new home and moved into it December of 1999.
Then there is Don (son #4). His attitude was,” I’m not moving to Canmore. I like Edmonton and my friends are all here; why would I want to move to Canmore?” Well, one year later, Don and his girlfriend Diana moved to Canmore – December 15, 1996 – during one of the worst blizzards we have ever seen (we hit it just south of Red Deer). We drove in a convoy of moving van, mini van and two cars. It took us two hours longer than normal to get to Canmore from Edmonton. Diana hit the ditch, along with about fifty other vehicles along Highway 2 from Edmonton (but all her dishes that she had in the back seat of her car arrived safe and sound). We all made it, somewhat shook up but safe. Don and Diana are now married and living in their home in the Riverstone subdivision (but keeping an eye on Eagle Terrace).
James (son #1) moved to Calgary from Chilliwack in 1999 and worked for Calgary Police Services in Communications for about a year. He is now working as an X-Ray technician at “Radiology Consultants Association”, the area he originally trained for. James visits often. I never thought we would all be living so close together again. We are delighted; it’s great to have them all so close.
John and I are both retired. We have been married for forty years, since May 16, 1959. John was born and raised in Edmonton and was a ‘city boy’ all his life. He has one brother, still living in Edmonton. John worked for Edmonton Telephones (then AGT and now Telus) for thirty-seven years. I, Vera, was born on a farm in a little village called Mapova (which no longer exists), seventy miles north of Edmonton. We then moved to a farm around the Thorhild, Alberta area, north of Edmonton. I come from a family of five. I have two brothers and two sisters. I moved to Edmonton at the age of eighteen and worked for the Federal Government for four years. Then I met John, worked four more years, and when the children came along, I stayed at home (for fifteen years) and raised our four sons. When the youngest was in grade two, I went back to work and worked at Safeway for one year, and then for the Edmonton Public School Board for sixteen years, until our move to Canmore.
We have seen many changes in the short time we have lived here. The population was in the six thousand range. Many new developments have sprung up, but what a great place to live, and the people are wonderful. CANMORE, WE LOVE YOU!!!
Vera and John Protz and family
In Canmore Seniors at the Summit, ed. Canmore Seniors Association, 2000, p. 225-227.
