The Calgary planning commission has voted to redesignate two roads in Haskayne Legacy Park in a bid to cut off access to a kayak rental business the city claims is operating illegitimately. Read More
Last summer, a business calling itself the Bearspaw Marina established a floating dock on the reservoir, renting kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards to the public
Last summer, a business calling itself the Bearspaw Marina established a floating dock on the reservoir, renting kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards to the public
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The Calgary planning commission has voted to redesignate two roads in Haskayne Legacy Park in a bid to cut off access to a kayak rental business the city claims is operating illegitimately.
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Members voted 9-0 to redesignate the two road allowances as park space. Their recommendation will advance to a public hearing of city council next month.
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The unpaved roads are currently used to access the shoreline of the Bearspaw Reservoir, a portion of the Bow River that lies just outside of Calgary’s northwest city limits.
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Last summer, a business calling itself the Bearspaw Marina established a floating dock on the reservoir, renting kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards to the public. Because the marina is not in Calgary, it does not have a business licence with the city, and transactions occur on the dock.
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While the reservoir is within Rocky View County’s boundaries, it’s technically a federal waterway, regulated by Transport Canada. The county and its reeve have told Postmedia they don’t have jurisdiction over the reservoir.
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TransAlta draws from the reservoir to power the Bearspaw hydroelectric dam, which is roughly three kilometres downstream from the marina. TransAlta owns the shoreline on the east side of the reservoir, to monitor fluctuations in the water depth.
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TransAlta has been at odds with the Bearspaw Marina since it first opened last summer, and requested the city redesignate the road allowances. The company said it strongly discourages people from recreating on the waterway due to a lack of emergency response resources.
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“The marina has twice been illegally established near an active hydroelectric facility and the drinking water intakes for the City of Calgary, without necessary permits or approvals,” TransAlta said in a previous statement.
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At Thursday’s planning commission meeting, city planner Matt Rockley said closing the road right of way would eliminate legal public access to the water. If council ultimately approves the road redesignation next month, he said the city will install fencing and signage to bar access, and would consider enforcement action if the marina continues to operate.
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Pete Steenaerts, assistant deputy chief for Calgary fire and rescue services support, noted Rocky View County would have jurisdiction for emergency response on the Bearspaw Reservoir. However, he said the county does not have aquatic rescue capabilities, and in the event of a water rescue, would call in the Calgary Fire Department for assistance.
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“There’d be a lengthy period of time for that response to unfold,” Steenaerts told the commission.