For the past 117 years, Brewster Tours has been interpreting the Canadian Rockies to a global clientele. In 1996, Brewster began to push forward its conversation messages by showcasing a wide variety of environmental stewardship measures with the opening of the Columbia Icefield Visitor Centre. The facility addresses environmental issues--like waste reduction/recycling, water and power conservation, wildlife and vegetation impacts, noise pollution and wastewater treatment--in public ways that encourage visitors to participate in addressing and taking responsibility for them.
Barriers/Challenges To Success
The largest barriers to designing and operating the centre has proven to be the remote location, severe winter weather and pronounced peaks of seasonal tourist visitation. As Brewster's Columbia Icefield Visitor Centre is located over 100 kilometres from the closest town, Jasper, it must pump and treat water, treat and dispose effluent, generate electricity and provide overnight accommodations and amenities to its workforce. As the facility is only open from April to October, the centre must find innovative techniques to harmonize with the winter temperatures; water lines must be kept thawed and the facility must be heated in order to not be damaged when it is brought out of deep freeze every spring.
Contact
Mr. Andrew Whittick
Director of Corporate Development
Brewster Inc.
P.O. Box 1140, 100 Gopher Street
Banff, AB T1W 1R9
