In a major milestone for Banff, the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation has announced a $30 million donation to establish a world-class hospitality and tourism centre located at the YWCA Banff in partnership with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). This is the largest donation ever made by the Foundation.

Through his travel experiences, Wim has seen tourism education institutions around the world. He learned that hospitality careers are respected, viable, and lifelong professions. Bringing this idea to an iconic place like Banff, Canada’s first National Park and a host to 4 million visitors each year, only made sense.

“The new tourism hospitality centre at the 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.

The donation will provide $10 million to renovate the 100-year-old YWCA building into a purpose-built teaching facility that integrates state-of-the-art learning resources and student housing. The space will continue to provide transitional and emergency housing, ensuring that the YWCA’s critical services remain available for those in need.

Additionally, $20 million will be used to support the development of an innovative educational curriculum in collaboration with SAIT’s renowned School of Hospitality and Tourism.

“Through this project, we are building more than an education-based centre; we are creating opportunities for individuals to grow, thrive, and contribute to a vibrant, sustainable future for Banff,” said Geisler. “This investment reflects Wim’s belief in the power of education to transform lives and strengthen communities.”

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. Beyond its immediate benefits, the initiative aims to catalyze a culture of professional excellence, stabilize the workforce, and strengthen the community support system.

“Since 1987, we’ve operated a social enterprise hotel to help fund our core operations. While that experience has been invaluable, it also required significant investments of space and human resources to run the business,” said Ebony Rempel, CEO of YWCA Banff. “This new partnership will allow us to focus more fully on our mission of shaping a safe and inclusive Bow Valley and will support critical programming such as affordable housing, shelter spaces, crisis intervention, and, through our collaboration with SAIT, enhanced efforts in violence prevention—leading to systemic shifts in the culture of tourism and hospitality.”

The partnership with SAIT and the YWCA Banff unites education, skill development, and community support under one roof. Together, the hospitality institution will address the tourism sector’s growing demand for skilled professionals while fostering economic resilience and sustainability for Banff and the region. It will also help establish a stable funding model for the YWCA, providing resources to broaden its current programs and guaranteeing a sustained positive influence across the Bow Valley community.

“This innovative project represents a pivotal moment for Banff and supports education, vital community services, and economic resilience. It doesn’t just respond to today’s needs—it paves the way for a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable future for Banff and the region. Collaboration and commitment underscore the power of community investment to create lasting, meaningful change,” said Geisler.