'Save the Slopes' continues to fight Paskapoo development

Plansto develop thePaskapooSlopesnear Canada Olympic Park met with opposition at a public information session last nightdespite the developer'schanges to the project.

"We don't have problems with development but we don't think it's appropriate for every area in the city," said Ken Bilous, a nearby resident, whostarted the"Save the Slopes" petition.

• Paskapoo Slopes development plan shown at open house

The developer,Trinity Hills, has altered itsplan to address public concerns over increased trafficand the aesthetics of the project nearCanada OIympic Park.

The revised proposal has one third of the lowest portion of the areaslated for homes and businesses, and the remaining 160 acresto become protected parkland.

"We really have reduced the development footprint and we removed some of the highest quality environmental lands that were included in our original footprint, taken them out," saidGreg Brown, whoworks withTrinity Hills.

But the changes are not enough to persuade many people in the area, who would rather see the entire space left alone,according toBilous.

"We've got a lot of support. We've got over 7,500 people that have signed our petition by now, so there are a lot of people against this," he said.

There will be one moreopportunity for public input when the project is on the agenda at Calgary City Council July 20.City Council will then decide what happens with the plan.

The stakes for the area and the city are high according to Bilous.

"One of Calgary's strongest assets is our greenspace and this is such a unique area that it counts as such an asset," he said.

"It's a well-used area. There's not a day that goes by that people aren't parked at the bottom, people using that area, so it'd be a real shame to see it go."