YWCA Banff has long been a cornerstone of support for the Bow Valley community, providing critical services such as affordable housing, emergency shelter, and violence prevention programs. Now, a transformative collaboration between YWCA Banff, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), and the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation is poised to redefine the future of the organization—and the region.

The Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation has made an extraordinary $30 million donation to this collaborative project, marking the largest donation in both the Foundation’s and YWCA Banff’s history. This funding will enable the creation of a new tourism and hospitality centre at YWCA Banff, in partnership with SAIT. The funds are allocated as follows:

• $20 million will support SAIT’s long-term operations in establishing a Banff-based campus, designed to train and equip hospitality professionals.
• $10 million will fund YWCA Banff’s much-needed capital upgrades, including state-of-the-art counselling spaces, emergency shelter enhancements, and transitional housing renovations.

“The new tourism hospitality centre at YWCA Banff embodies a dream Wim has held for decades—a vision of a place where individuals with a passion for hospitality can come together to learn, grow, and build fulfilling, life-long careers,” said Cathy Geisler, Executive Director at the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation.

Through his travels, Wim Pauw has visited tourism education institutions around the globe, gaining a deep appreciation for the value they bring. He learned that hospitality careers are not only respected but also viable and lifelong professions. Bringing this vision to Banff— a destination that welcomes 4 million visitors each year—felt like a natural fit. Partnering with YWCA Banff underscores Wim’s admiration for the organization’s vital work and his personal connection to its legacy.

“When I came to Banff in the early ’70s, I hitchhiked to town and spent 14 days camping at Tunnel Mountain Campground until mid-September. It was really cold by then, and they shut the campground down for the season,” recalls Wim. “I needed a place to stay, so I went to the Y on Muskrat Street and got a room—Room 6. I still remember it: the size of the bed, the lack of space to dress—nothing fancy at all. Then I needed a job, so I got a job at the Y as a front desk clerk. I still remember those early days, and from there, my life in Banff began to take shape. That was my first experience with the Y.”

The new tourism and hospitality centre will offer world-class training and practical skill development to support career pathways, enabling individuals to transition from entry-level positions to fulfilling, long-term careers. But this partnership goes beyond education.

Nearly 90% of Banff’s economy is driven by tourism, so it’s no surprise that out of the 4,200 individuals YWCA Banff served last year, they estimate that roughly 3,800 work in this industry. These numbers highlight the profound impact of YWCA Banff’s services on those who help sustain Banff’s thriving tourism economy.

“This partnership will create long-term benefits for residents of our community who all work or contribute to our local tourism industry, our town’s economic driver. These are the people we connect with and the people we serve,” said Ebony Rempel, CEO of YWCA Banff.

Since 1987, YWCA Banff has operated a social enterprise hotel that has been instrumental in funding core operations. While this model has served the organization well, it has also required significant investment of space and human resources. Social enterprise will always remain a cornerstone of YWCA Banff’s business model; however, there is a need to adapt and evolve as the demand for programs and services continues to rise.

“This partnership allows us to focus more intentionally on shaping a safe and inclusive Bow Valley. Through efforts aimed at violence prevention—including driving systemic change within the tourism and hospitality sectors—we aim to address root causes, not just symptoms,” said Rempel. “YWCA Banff will continue to provide critical programming such as affordable housing, shelter spaces, and crisis intervention, but we also recognize the importance of upstream initiatives that create long-term solutions.”