Consultation Feedback Summary

The university values the community's support for W.A. Ranches' mission to conduct applied research, promote transdisciplinary collaboration, and serve as an educational centre for the community. The W.A. Ranches LRDP will support new opportunities for research, education and community outreach.

The university will follow all rules applicable to grazing lease lands including the Grazing Lease Stewardship Code of Practice and the Operating Standards for Alberta's Public Land and Grazing Dispositions. In accordance with this, no future developments are planned for W.A. Ranches grazing lease lands. These lands will continue to support ranch operations, as well as teaching and research activities. The University of Calgary research and teaching activities and public access on grazing lease lands will be consistent with the W.A. Ranches Strategic Themes and Priorities.

Public post-secondary institutions in Alberta are subject to a special set of land use, development and planning rules. In accordance with the PSLA, the university is not subject to municipal land use bylaws or statutory plans for lands related to the university's educational, research or ancillary needs. The university also does not require municipal approval or permission for land use or development on W.A. Ranches deeded lands. The LRDP is intended to provide its host municipalities and neighbours with information and reassurances about the university's plans for land use and future developments on these lands. The university needs to follow any applicable Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA) regional plan, as well as the Safety Codes Act.

The university does not have any immediate plans to undertake substantial development at W.A. Ranches. As outlined in the W.A. Ranches Strategic Themes and Priorities document, immediate and short-term facility priorities include tent structures to provide all weather access to teaching areas (calving, pregnancy checking, and bull testing), improved cattle handling facilities, a One Health/bovine teaching/demonstration facility, and a calving barn for research and teaching; however, there are no confirmed plans to construct these facilities at this time. Development will proceed in accordance with the university's capital plan and as funds become available.

The university will follow a detailed notification protocol that will be detailed in the final confirmed LRDP. This will involve steps to identify and engage affected stakeholders including the relevant host municipalities.

The University of Calgary recognizes its significant new responsibilities as part of the close-knit ranching community of Southern Alberta. Although these lands support teaching and research activities, academics do not operate ranches - ranchers run ranches - and aside from special rules related to land use and development, W.A. Ranches is treated like any other ranch. A group of experienced and talented staff operate the ranch at the same exacting standards set by the Anderson/Chisholm family. Matt Williams has been brought on as general manager of ranch operations, bringing more than 40 years of ranching experience to W.A. Ranches. He is responsible for the overall ranch management and provides operational, strategic and financial leadership.

Any facilities developed in accordance with the land uses detailed in the draft LRDP will be designed in accordance with the vision and guiding principles for W.A. Ranches and in the context of W.A. Ranches as a working cattle-calf ranch. For example, the parking and residential land uses are intended to support developments to allow small groups of students and faculty to access the ranch for teaching and research purposes on a short-term basis only. The academic, research, and administrative functions will continue to be hosted at other locations including the university's main campus, Spy Hill campus, and Foothills campus locations.