Building Boom of 1963

The opening of the Trans‑Canada Highway started a building boom in Golden. Suddenly tourists could travel from one side of the country to the other without the usual headaches, and plenty of folks were eager to take advantage of it.

By 1963, the Town of Golden had been incorporated for five years, and you could feel the momentum building. One of the big reasons for incorporation was the hope of finally installing a proper sewer and water system. Late that year, taxpayers were asked whether they wanted to move ahead. Of the 301 people who voted, 202 said yes — enough to bring a healthy water system to town.

Several buildings went up that year, including the ARL Motel, still standing downtown today. Built by A.R.L. Holdings Ltd., it took its name from Al Wescott, Ray Gould, and Lori Paulini. It proudly advertised wall‑to‑wall carpet, televisions (Golden only had one channel until mid‑year, CHCT‑TV from Calgary, and later added CFCN‑TV), and telephones in every room.

Another major addition was the Golden Arms Motor Inn, a 50‑room motel built on the old Moody place for $150,000. It came complete with a beer parlor, cocktail lounge, dining room, and coffee shop.

The Sportsman Motel, a 34‑unit project built for Hobbs and Oulton, opened with great excitement right on the Trans‑Canada Highway.

The Rondo Inn opened in the old Golden Medical Clinic building, thanks to the construction of a new clinic under Drs. Trott, Taylor, and Lapp. Burnham Construction — a familiar name in Golden — handled the project.

In 1963, the Canadian Imperial Bank became the first bank in town to install a 24‑hour deposit facility. It was a wallet drop box, and they recommended not depositing more than $100 at a time. The Bank of Montreal also opened its offices that year.

Up on the highway, Gene’s Roasted Chicken opened near the old Kicking Horse Texaco. It was the first place I ever had a soft ice cream cone.

The Alpine Drive‑In Theatre opened with a special midnight showing of the horror drama Black Sunday. A new Billiards Hall went up beside the Elite Café, and the banquet room at the old Golden Legion was completed — opening with a sit‑down dinner for 75 people.

Looking around Golden in 2026, we’ve certainly seen another building boom over the past several years. But it’s hard to imagine anything quite matching the energy and transformation of 1963.