CALGARY – Some big changes could lie ahead for the green space east of Canada Olympic Park, known as ‘Paskapoo Slopes’.
A developer has plans for homes, a hotel and offices on the popular land that greets people entering Calgary from highway 1.
But a local group is determined to save the Paskapoo Slopes near C.O.P.
The Paskapoo Slopes are a popular spot to snowshoe, bike or walk the dog.
Trinity Development Group bought the land from Winsport recently.
A company spokesperson says the plan is a compromise that will preserve much of the natural area but area residents say the city shouldn’t allow development on the site.
“This is an important area. This is a unique area that we will never get back if they develop it. and for the sake of our city it should be left alone. Plus with our growing population, we don’t need less green space, we need more,” Ken Bilous from ‘Save the Slope’ said.
Trinity says out of the 260 acres they own, less than one hundred acres will be developed, leaving the rest of the upper slopes to be transferred to the city for use as a regional park.
Councillor Ward Sutherland thinks this proposal is an improvement from a previous attempt.
“They did have a past proposal and it was refused because to be honest, it wasn’t a very good product. And we were told by council back then, you had better come up with a world-class product that defines really what the gateway of Calgary is. That is all up to perception, I think the product is much better now,” Councillor Ward Sutherland said.
A group called save the slopes has started a petition and organized an event called ‘Paskapaloosa’ this weekend, to create awareness of their concerns.
Members say the area Trinity Development is preserving, is land that can’t be developed anyway.
“I think it’s an important piece of land that should be preserved much like Nose Hill, Fish creek, Weasel Head,” Bilous said. “Perhaps the city and the province make it together and turn it into a world-class recreational spot.”
The company says most of the tread walking and bike trails will remain if the development is approved.
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