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Eagle Butte Ranch Conceptual Scheme

Eagle Butte Ranch Conceptual Scheme

Global Canuck Energy Ltd. is in the early stages of planning for their land in Springbank.
A proposed Conceptual Scheme will outline the future vision for the project.

Honouring
Gordon MacDonald

The MacDonald family, owners of Global Canuck Energy, wish to create a thoughtful legacy project to honour their late father, Gordon MacDonald. Gordon was a beloved member of both the MacDonald family and the Springbank community.

  • Decades ago, with an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for quarter horses, Gordon created a well-reputed breeding and equine facility at the site, where he and his family spent time training their champion horses.
  • Gordon’s quarter horses became highly sought after throughout North America and in 2002, Gordon was inducted into the Alberta Horse Hall of Fame. Gordon’s work within the quarter horse community has left a lasting impression on Alberta’s horse industry.
  • Gordon loved being able to see the Rocky Mountains from his property – a characteristic the MacDonald family also values.

Eagle Butte Ranch Conceptual Scheme

Project Location

Located in Springbank about half a mile from Calgary, the project is made up of seven parcels over about 200 acres of land, with some existing dwellings.

The site is adjacent to:

  • Country residential properties to the North and East

  • Range Road 31A to the East

  • Agricultural land to the West, with future undeveloped road

  • Highway 1 to the South

Click to View

Eagle Butte Ranch Conceptual Scheme

Project Vision

Global Canuck Energy intends to design a thoughtful, high-quality country residential project that seamlessly integrates into the surrounding community.

The site is currently zoned Residential – Residential Rural District (R-RUR). Through this application, most of the site is expected to be redesignated to Residential – Country Residential District (R-CRD) to allow for future subdivision with a minimum lot size of two acres.

The project may celebrate the long history of equestrian activities at the site through the potential preservation of the existing ranch house and equine facilities (to be left within a remaining agricultural parcel) for future agri-tourism opportunities, including a potential horse trail within a portion of the proposed development area. Future agri-tourism opportunities will be evaluated as the project progresses.

Careful consideration will be given to take advantage of views of the Rocky Mountains and rural scenic significance, in accordance with the Springbank Area Structure Plan Special Planning Area #1.

Conceptual Scheme Options

Below are two preliminary concepts that are being considered for future development at the site. Conceptual Scheme A contemplates future potential agri-tourism opportunities through the existing equestrian facilities, while Conceptual Scheme B considers fulsome country residential development.

The current application builds on this framework and applies it to this site.

  • Stormwater pond in northeast portion of the site.
  • Lots approximately 2- 3 acres.
  • Larger lots beside the Trans-Canada Highway and adjacent farmland to the west.
  • Lots along the northern edge respond contextually to the existing country residential neighbourhood.
  • Preservation of the existing ranch houses & equine facilities.
  • Introduction of horse trails within a portion of the residential area.

  • Stormwater pond in northeast portion of the site.
  • Lots approximately 2 – 3 acres.
  • Larger lots beside the Trans-Canada Highway and adjacent farmland to the west.
  • Lots along the northern edge respond contextually to the existing country residential neighbourhood.

Policy Context

The proposed project falls within the Springbank Area Structure Plan, which provides a long-range, coordinated planning framework for growth and development in the Springbank area.

  • The site is identified as Infill Residential Area. Section 8.19 outlines that future residential lots (Map 6), shall be a minimum of 0.8 ha (± 1.98 acres). Where residential lot sizes less than 1.6 ha (± 3.95 acres) are proposed and principally occupied by larger lots, the proposal’s compatibility with the immediate area should be assessed, including impacts on further subdivisions.
  • A future Shared Use Pathway will be established along Township Road 250.
    • This will require roadway Right of Way widening per Rocky View County’s Regional Transportation Off-Site Levy.

The project is in the Calgary-Rocky View Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) Notification Zone.

  • The IDP coordinates land use, development, & infrastructure planning between municipalities with shared boundary.
  • The Notification Zone gives the City of Calgary the opportunity to comment on land use policies and applications circulated from Rocky View County.

Eagle Butte Ranch Conceptual Scheme

Transportation

  • Several transportation upgrades are either underway or proposed in the area, including a new interchange at the intersection of Range Road 33 and Trans Canada Hwy 1, and the future widening of Township Road 250. These transportation projects, along with others, will help move traffic effectively through the area and reduce current impacts caused by construction activities.

  • For the Eagle Butte Ranch Conceptual Scheme, future upgrades are anticipated at Range Roads 32 and 31A to improve traffic movement in the area.
    A Transportation Impact Assessment is currently underway to study future traffic that may be generated by the proposed project. Global Canuck Energy will also provide a levy contribution to the County to help facilitate other future transportation upgrades in the area.

  • Residential lots adjacent to Trans Canada Highway 1 will be deeper to help preserve view of the Rocky Mountains. A proposed recreational horse trail along the perimeter of these lots will contribute to the rural scenic experience of highway users.

  • An internal pathway and future pathway connection The City of Calgary and Bragg Creek will be included in project planning.

Eagle Butte Ranch Conceptual Scheme

Servicing Strategy

The proposed Servicing Strategy includes:

  • A Stormwater Management Report is being prepared as part of this application.

  • A stormwater pond in the northeast area of the site in accordance with the Springbank Master Drainage Plan.

  • Water servicing capacity to be supplied by a future piped water system.

  • Private sewage treatment systems for each dwelling
    (to include packaged wastewater treatment plants as required by County Policy 449: Requirements for Wastewater Treatment Systems).

  • A Utility Servicing Memo is being prepared as part of this application.

Topography & Drainage

Features Include:

  • The site contains an existing natural drainage channel that traverses the northern portion of the site – which is expected to be retained within an Environmental Reserve.

  • Topography slopes across the site generally from southwest towards the northeast.

  • A Geotechnical Studiy is being prepared as part of this application.

  • A Historic Resource Impact Assessment will be required prior to development.

Eagle Butte Ranch Conceptual Scheme

Process and Timeline

Global Canuck Energy is in the early stages of planning for this project.

Spring 2026

Public Engagement Event #01

Summer 2026

Technical Studies Completed

Summer 2026

Application Submission to
Rocky View County

Summer-Fall 2026

Public & County Application Review

Spring 2027

Application Revisions &
Second Public Outreach

Spring 2027

Public Hearing for Council to
adopt CS & LUA Application

Get Involved – Project Updates

Your spot to learn about ways to get involved in the project.

Public Open House - Wednesday, June 24, 2026

We hosted a Public Open House.

The project team invited community members and residents to learn about the proposed Conceptual Scheme for Eagle Butte Ranch. The drop-in Open House, held at the Springbank Heritage Club, provided an opportunity to explore the plan, meet the project team, and have questions answered firsthand.

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Springbank Heritage Club (244168 Range Rd 33)

View the display boards shared at this open house below.

 

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Questions or Comments?

We welcome your questions and feedback. Please use the form below to contact the project team or request updates. Your information will only be used for project communications related to the Eagle Butte Ranch Conceptual Scheme project.

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