The Cave and Basin has been Hijacked
Designated enemy aliens under Canada’s War Measures Act (1914), some 8,579 enemy aliens were interned during World War I as prisoners of war. Ostensibly nationals of countries at war with Canada, the vast majority however were settler immigrants, primarily of Ukrainian ethnic origin. The Castle Mountain Internment Camp was the largest internment facility in the Canadian Rockies, housing several hundred prisoners at any one time. Established on July 13, 1915, a total of 660 enemy aliens were interned at the facility during its entire operation.[1]
“That’s right. Canada rounded up farmers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg, and they built the Cave and Basin during WWI. A few were deported but most were released back to their farms without apology or recompense.”
“I have swum in the pool above. A lot. It’s at the Banff Springs Hotel (I worked the summer of 1957 as a Golf Caddy). I could swim there because the Pool was not attended –the water was far too cold (60 degrees) to attract many guests – I swam laps – typically 50. That summer, 4 months, at least 50 miles. I made the swim team via super fitness and the short story is that that in turn got me the job at the Cave and Basin. I’m not a competitive swimmer. I was a good life guard. I have too much fast twitch for competitive swimming. Swimming those laps, making the swim team. That’s 5% of the story…and without it I’d never have had two years at the Cave and Basin. 100s wanted to be guards at the Cave and Basin. My Dad had the first 95% covered. I just had to show up with a Badge that said “Red Cross Instructor”. The badge was a necessary but not sufficient condition! My Sport was wrestling.”
http://www.usms.org/articles/articledisplay.php?a=104 Years ago I held a vision of diving off the blocks when I was 100. Now my goal is to dive off the edge of the pool. Growing old is something that will take me some time to catch onto. I think I’m ready. (“that’s another aging swimmer talking about slowing down…this 2012 I am PADI Open Water Certified and besides salt water being easier than fresh, swimming is way easier today than it was in Banff when I was fit and sunk like a bag of rocks…back then threading water was the hardest part of getting my badges…today I float like a cork in distilled water and need 30# of lead to dive”)
“This is the way the Cave and Basin was when I was there as a lifeguard. I am not sure what they’ve done or rather I can’t believe it so if you know and have some 2011 or 2012 pictures please please upload them!”
Need to Reside Requirement
Residential leases in Banff restrict occupancy to eligible residents as defined in National Park regulations. The eligible residency provisions ensure that community residential lands are available exclusively for community use, rather than recreational or second home purposes.
By federal regulation, a person is generally considered an eligible resident if he or she:
• is employed or operates a business in the park, or
• is a full-time student in the park, or
• has retired after not less than five years of employment in the park, or
• is the spouse or dependent of someone who meets the above criteria.
Please visit the Parks Canada Administration building to pick up an eligible resident form. Parks Canada staff will verify the completed form and contact you once the form is ready to be picked up.
For more information about the concept of eligible resident, please click the following link, or contact Parks Canada directly at:
Banff National Park Administration Building
101 Mountain Avenue, Banff, Alberta
T: 403.762.1500
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banff_National_Park#Prison_and_work_camps
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance. The list is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 states parties[1] which are elected by their General Assembly.[2]
“The past few years ~ $14 million has been spent on the Cave and Basin where I was a lifeguard for two summers (1958, 1959). The pool is still closed. The story is too complicated and confusing for me to dare summarize. Apparently there are no plans to bring back the swimming pool that has been closed since the 1990s. The acting heritage programs manager Steve Malins said “We thought our money would be better invested in other sites.” Enjoy the pictures and the links. There is an incredible story here. I am not making this up!”
“It is not about the Pool.”
iStarBadger
