Additionally,
there is concern that neglect and vandalism will ultimately destroy the former
mine property's remaining links
to Canmore's historic mining past. Fortunately,
the main developer, Three Sisters Resorts, has in the past few years spent considerable
financial and human resources to preserve and restore former mine structures
and artifacts.
Although there are concerns remaining mine structures and artifacts have fallen
victim to vandalism and neglect, there are ongoing measures taking place for
their restoration and preservation.
The
company also conducts school and public tours, and has also donated resources
to annual reunions of former employees and their families. The company has also
spent millions of dollars in the preservation of nearby wildlife corridors.
The former
mine's remaining lands are part of recently developed wildlife corridors to
preserve the region's ecological integrity.
An old
miners’ grave site in Canmore from the turn of the century. Canmore, founded
in 1883 and now a booming resort town, was a coal mining community for more
than 90 years before the mines closed forever in 1979.
Since
1999, there has been a growing push by the community to better restore and
preserve the century old graveyard.