Bid to stop controversial crashes at Badlands auto racing track near Rosebud

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A controversial auto racing track proposed for a site near the village of Rosebud has been given the checkered flag by an environmental appeals board, angering opponents who fear for impacted wetlands.

In a ruling dated March 28, the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board dismissed a challenge brought by a group of concerned citizens to Alberta Environment and Protected Places’ approval of the $500 plan under the Water Act 2020 million to build a motorsports park and residential complex near Rosebud. River, 100 kilometers east of Calgary.

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It would be built on a 425-acre site about three miles east of Rosebud, a village best known for its dinner theater.

The two-person panel concluded that there was insufficient evidence that the racing complex, whose construction would fill two wetlands and modify three others, would harm birds such as swallows, eagles, hawks and falcons, while imposing conditions such as environmental problems. wildlife monitoring and field studies.

“The board believes that while there will be changes to the valley wetlands, there was insufficient evidence of potential harm to banked swallows from those changes and that mitigation measures will be taken during construction of the Badlands activities.” , states the ruling. .

“The board also notes that the director has proposed adding a new condition to the approval requiring a wetlands monitoring and reporting program. The board believes that these measures, taken together, will serve to minimize potential impacts on banking swallows.”

It’s the latest disappointing pit stop in a fight against the track, proposed by Badlands Motorsports, that goes back more than a decade, said Rick Skibsted, whose farmland borders the site’s northern boundary.

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The proposal, which includes a 4.8 kilometer road and residential and commercial components, has already been approved by Kneehill County Council.

Opponents say “the decision was predetermined”

“It really doesn’t make sense…they completely ignored critical habitat for banked swallows,” said Skibsted, who has lived in the area for five decades and insists there is widespread local opposition to the proposal.

“There are so many other places to build racetracks, it’s just ridiculous.”

Skibsted said he has little faith that any environmental monitoring program will make a difference or be enforced.

Opponents say it appears the UCP government influenced the appeal board’s decision, making the outcome already decided, and noted that Environment and Protected Places Minister Rebecca Schulz approved the board’s decision on April 8.

“The fact that it only took twelve days for the minister to come to full agreement with the board’s report shows that the decision was predetermined,” Richard and Wendy Clark, who also live in the area, said in a statement.

“The worst part is… this will be another failed racetrack that is already asking for $15 to $20 million in taxpayer funds to even get started. But not after destroying acres of wetland habitat.”

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The company hopes to begin construction this year

A man behind the proposal said the EAB ruling speaks for itself and called leading opponents “pinheads” who have “brainwashed” local residents and managed to stifle considerable support for the project among the community. of Calgary Motorsports and others.

“They don’t have any evidence (of environmental concerns), they just talk about it,” said James Zelazo, chief financial officer of Badlands Motorsports Resort.

“The EAB decision was completely in our favor…we have the right to use our property however we want as long as we comply with the regulations.”

The company hopes to begin construction this year, but Zelazo said its progress depends on financing, which initially focuses on building a $100 million primary racetrack high above the Rosebud River.

Another potential lead, he said, would go deeper into the valley.

They are confident the province will come up with $11 million to pay most of the cost of upgrading a 10km access road from the highway. 9.

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Once completed, the track would reduce illegal street racing in Calgary by giving drivers a place to pursue their passion, Zelazo said.

“Three hundred people have made deposits (to compete recreationally),” Zelazo said, adding that investor interest has come from as far away as Abu Dhabi.

“This track will be F1 caliber, it’s world class stuff.”

“This government does not care enough about the environment”

Opponents are considering an appeal of the EAB ruling and have strong grounds for doing so, Skibsted said.

“This government doesn’t care enough about the environment and when you’re fighting the government, it’s really difficult,” he said.

As of mid-afternoon Wednesday, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas had not responded to a request for comment.

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X (Twitter): @BillKaufmannjrn

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