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SDAB denies appeal on Dead Man’s Flats rink

An outdoor rink in Dead Man's Flats will move forward after an appeal was heard by the Municipal District of Bighorn's Subdivision and Development Appeal Board earlier this month.

DEAD MAN'S FLATS – An outdoor rink in Dead Man's Flats will move forward after an appeal was heard by the Municipal District of Bighorn's Subdivision and Development Appeal Board earlier this month.

SDAB permitted a shed, where a small Zamboni and other maintenance equipment will be stored, while the rink would operate with ice in the winter and be a multi-use recreation location during the other seasons.

Robert Templeton, who put forward the appeal, had cited concerns related to the impact on wildlife in the area, parking issues, the potential for garbage to accumulate and the risk of fire during construction.

“The experience of the old rink was that beer cans, trash and clothes could be left behind for months,” Templeton said at the appeal hearing. “The skating development also anticipated that it could have summer uses. There needs to be a proper garbage disposal or removal plan.”

With the appeal refusal, SDAB did make three changes to the development permit.

Regarding waste and garbage, the Dead Man’s Flats Community Association would be responsible for its own solid waste collection and disposal, and a new bin would be installed in close proximity to the new facility.

On the risk of fire, SDAB added a condition that FireSmart construction materials had to be used for the exterior of the buildings, and the roofing material had to have a Class A or B Underwriter’s Laboratories of Canada fire rating.

The last condition on the development permit was that no recreation activities associated with the rink or shed could be conducted between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and all rink lights had to be turned off at 11 p.m.

Templeton had also raised a concern about flooding, which could get worse due to climate change. In its decision, SDAB offered no opinion on his statements regarding climate change.

The main concern for Templeton was the wildlife corridor in the area.

“There is a professional report stating that the wildlife corridor should be protected dating back to 2004 on the MD of Bighorn website,” Templeton said in his appeal hearing. “It clearly stated that there should be a 180-metre setback from the Bow River to give the wildlife space and no building work was permitted.”

SDAB stated it was satisfied the proposed development conformed to the land use policies of the Dead Man’s Flats area structure plan.

SDAB also felt satisfied that there was enough parking for rink users available using on-street parking along River’s Bend Way and Limestone Valley Road.

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