Former owners heartbroken as Rafter Six Ranch lodge demolished near Calgary

It’s the end for the old lodge at the Rafter Six Ranch west of Calgary, a place that hosted tourists from around the world.

Stan and Gloria Cowley, the former owners of the ranch, are heartbroken. They lost the ranch when an expansion deal failed and forced them to move off the property in January 2014.

READ MORE: Rafter Six Ranch packs it in for good

They learned about the demolition last week when the Municipal District of Bighorn confirmed a permit had been issued to bring down the main lodge.

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After losing the ranch, the family hung on to the Rafter Six name and continued a horseback riding and camping business adjacent to the ranch. They offer trail rides, corporate get-togethers, weddings, etc., much like they did before they had to move off the property, but on a smaller scale.

READ MORE: Rafter Six Ranch hosts final celebrations ahead of closing

The Cowleys said they didn’t know if other buildings on the property will meet the same fate.

“My husband and I built it, we put our hands into it, put the logs up, we did the work and greeted the guests and everything,” said Gloria Cowley.

“To see this part of history, to see this lost and to see it destroyed, it’s heartbreaking.”

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With files from Global’s David Boushy and CHQR