Lessons in agriculture and where food comes from will form the centrepiece of a new facility approved in the Red Deer Lake area, but some Foothills residents are not pleased to see it in their neighbourhood.
After a lengthy debate on May 4, MD of Foothills council narrowly approved the proposed Granary Road facility in a split 4-3 vote.
Granary Road will feature an indoor farmer’s market, greenhouses, a café and restaurant, an event centre, and a pathway system with a series of “learning pods” around the property to teach about agriculture.
It is located at 226 Ave. W and 112 St. SW, just south of Highway 22X and west of Red Deer Lake Meats.
Council’s decision came a week after more than 30 area residents attended an April 27 public hearing, with the majority speaking against the plan due to concerns over traffic and environmental impact.
Owner Bret Walter said the location was chosen because it’s in the heart of an agricultural area, but it has less value as farmland because of a creek running through the centre of the land, some wetlands, and a significant slope.
He said the park will bring a hands-on approach to educating families and children about where their food comes from, something missing in the digital age.
“I think more and more kids don’t know about agriculture anymore, and how food comes to be, and all that’s involved, the science behind it,” said Walter. “It’s a great spot to learn about agriculture.”
He said the education aspect will appeal to families and people of all ages and it aligns with the Alberta Education curriculum to become a new resource for local schools.
Neighbour Bruce Bamford, who lives just north of the Granary Road land and farms the quarter section directly south of the park’s location, said it’s the perfect piece of land for the project.
“That land isn’t really suited for any other purpose,” said Bamford. “There’s a tremendous amount of unsuitable agricultural land, it’s low-lying and not preferable. I know this because I farmed it.”
He said the plan, which includes building up the riparian area around the creek to make it more sustainable, would be beneficial to the entire region.
He said the park will also bring more diversity to industry in the MD, creating different jobs and adding a tourist attraction.
Bamford said traffic should not be any more of an issue with the new park than it is with the new homes coming into the area.
“We have to face the facts,” he said. “We live two miles south of the City of Calgary. If people are concerned about traffic they should have moved by Longview or somewhere else further outside the city.”
Gord Wagner, who lives one mile south and east of the Granary Road property, does not agree. He said traffic and noise are the number one concerns of residents in the area. On April 27, he presented council a petition with more than 90 signatures from residents within a two-mile radius opposed to the project.
He said the roads are narrow and with the impending development of the ring road to the north, he is concerned traffic will be diverted south past his home, in White Post Lane Estates.
Wagner said he was disappointed to hear council had approved the project. He had hoped it would be relocated somewhere else in the MD, closer to Highway 2 where he said the infrastructure was better suited to the park.
“I’m not against event centres, I’m not against farmer’s markets, I’m not against education,” said Wagner. “But this isn’t the right spot. I’m not against the concept per se, but against where they intend to put it.”
Some MD councillors shared Wagner’s concern about traffic and safety, particularly on narrow roads that are popular with cyclists.
There was also concern about damaging the quiet country lifestyle, something residents cited in their petition.
“With heavy traffic and crowds and unknown people coming into the area, there is a certain uneasiness and loss of security,” said MD Coun. Ron Chase. “It has nothing to do with the quality of the application, as much as the affect it will have on the peace and quiet, which many residents built out here to have.”
Chase said he’s received numerous phone calls from residents objecting to Granary Road, and he was disappointed to see council’s decision.
“I was hoping to see a different result,” said Chase. “This is probably the worst day of my life in terms of not being able to maintain what I promised 17 years ago when I promised to maintain the quality of life for residents in the area.”
He said he is also concerned about the image of the MD in an area that provides a gateway out of the city and has traditionally featured an uncluttered rural landscape.
Mayor Larry Spilak supported Granary Road, but said the decision was a tough one, with many reasons for and against the location.
“In the end, council decided this was the right place,” said Spilak. “But there are many conditions that go along with this that have to be determined yet.”
Construction on Granary Road should begin this summer, subject to meeting conditions the MD included in the development permit. After three years of research and planning, Walter is anxious to get the project off the ground and hopes to open in fall 2016.
“We’re pretty excited about it,” said Walter. “I think when everyone sees it and the neighbours understand the concept and what we’re about, they’ll see its value and place.”
