The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary presented to the Recreation Governance Council on June 11. Their request was to receive $125,000 of funding from Rocky View County (RVC) to upgrade their sanctuary amenities, pathways, and update interactive signage. The total estimated cost of these improvements was over $670,000.
Some of the money, presenters from Yamnuska Alison Bortolon and Georgina De Caigny explained, would be invested in their day use area. More specifically, Bortolon highlighted plans for the Interpretation Centre, a weather sheltered structure within the day use area.
Existing pathways will be extended to provide better accessibility, and landscaping with native plants are another two areas the funds would support.
The upgrades, which have a tentative deadline of December 2026, include a new outdoor amphitheatre and picnic area to support school tours and general education.
Currently, a large amount of funding has been secured by the sanctuary. Two grants totalling $375,000 from the federal government and Travel Alberta, respectively, have already been confirmed. Bortolon said that pending approval on additional grants, including the $125,000 from RVC, the sanctuary was prepared to launch a fundraising campaign to cover an additional $30,000. This was due to a variety of different quotes for pricing with the project.
The capital project would bring in additional visitors to the sanctuary, which would support operating costs and maintenance. Additionally, Bortolon said they want to increase the amount of time visitors are spending inside of Rocky View County.
“In some ways we really put the county on the map because we are an anchor tourist destination,” she said. “We do play a vital role in bringing in county residents and people from afar.”
Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary currently houses over 50 wolfdogs on their 160-acre property. Bortolon said that in 2011, they had less than 5,000 visitors. That number has more than quadrupled in 2024, with over 37,000 visitors. Bortolon says that most of those guests are Canadian.
After some brief questions confirming some of the monetary logistics, council unanimously moved to receive the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary’s presentation for information.
