Bearspaw Marina is open for business, despite efforts to minimize access and ultimately shut the operation down.
The floating dock on the reservoir shores in Rocky View County has made waves for the past year - installed by businessman Rick Skauge in the summer of 2024.
The City says the marina has twice been illegally established near an active hydro-electric facility run by TransAlta, noting the reservoir is not intended for public use since intake systems for Calgary's drinking water are nearby.
TransAlta, which collects energy from the Bearspaw Dam, argued for road acces to be closed, and for the surrounding land - which they said is being leased by their company - to be redesignated to stop further confusion.
After the marina's future was debated at a lengthy public hearing by Calgary City Council on May 6, the two roads running through Haskanye Legacy Park that lead to the reservoir were approved to be shut down in order to minimize access.
Though Skauge confirmed the roads are indeed fenced off, the marina is back open, renting out canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards to people along a beach.
"There's a little strip of land TransAlta had previously licensed from the province, but they have no right to stop us from using it," Skauge said. "Either they don't own that land or they have registered their license incorrectly."
Following the City Council hearing, the marina posted on it's Facebook page that the closure of the road allowance would prevent them from operating.
"We are actively exploring all options to restore public access to the reservoir, including discussions with the Trilateral Task Force that includes The City of Calgary, TransAlta, and Rocky View County," the post said.
But on May 22, a new post announced that the marina is open for business.
"It’s not about controversy, it’s about connection," the new post said. "It’s not about roads, it’s about rivers."
City of Calgary Administration said closing the roads was an act of being "a good neighbour" to ensure safety.
Though the marina technically exists inside Rocky View County (RVC), the county has issued past statements noting that the marina does not fall under their jurisdiction. Because of its complex location, the marina does not require a business license from the City or County.
Skauge is encouraging people to park their car in Haskayne, follow the same trail on foot, and look for new signage guiding people to the marina just off Bearspaw Tree Farm, which he has owned for over 30 years.
"I think it might be resolved," Skauge said. "And it's no different then it used to be."
Much of the concern from city councillors and TransAlta having come from safety, which they have argued is a problem since emergency crew access is limited and Bearspaw Dam operations can change the water level.
Anyone renting watercraft from the Bearspaw Marina is required to wear a life jacket. Skauge said people aren't allowed on the water if the temperature reads below 57 degrees Farenheit.
"We're getting lots of customers as the weather gets warmer," Skauge said. He cited 323 responses sent to the City of Calgary in opposition of closing road access and hundreds of likes and shares on the business's Facebook page.
The City of Calgary and TransAlta have not yet responded to a request for comment on the recent re-opening of the marina.
