Owners of a family-run amusement centre in southeast Calgary are fighting back against a major energy centre set to be built across the street.
Darren McKinnon, whose family owns Shakers Fun Centre, said he’s worried his business will be forced to shut down once work starts on Enmax’s Shepard energy centre.
The 800-megawatt natural gas-fired power generation facility, which will provide enough electricity for more than half of Calgary’s requirements, is expected to be built on the vacant land.
McKinnon said construction on the project would block access to Shakers. He also argued it would be an intimidating eyesore that would dissuade families from coming to his business, which features outdoor activities such as minigolf and go-karts as well as the indoor gaming centre.
“Our feeling is we just wouldn’t be able to continue with that plant being here,” said McKinnon, who runs the operation with his wife, sister-in-law and mother-in-law.
“Essentially we’ll be ruined.”
Lawyers for Shakers have gained an intervener status for an Alberta Utilities Commission hearing scheduled for Monday, where they’ll make their case to stop the energy centre.
A spokeswoman for Enmax said the city-owned corporation has held consultations with local businesses and nearby residents and is doing what it can to address concerns.
Enmax also independently commissioned a human-health impact assessment study that determined there was “little or no impact from the proposed facility,” added Doris Kaufman.
The major project was first announced in 2008.
“Whenever we start any new project, we’re committed to being good corporate neighbour and supporting the communities we operate in,” Kaufman said.
The parcel of city land in the area — including the 24 hectares allotted for the Enmax project, is zoned for industrial use.
When Shakers moved in about four years ago, McKinnon said he realized that the area was home to light industrial businesses but never thought it would see a project the size of the Enmax plant.
He conceded the utility company has consulted with his business, but discussions haven’t been fruitful. A buyout offer, he said, was too low, and wouldn’t come into effect until long after construction would begin. Since there’s only one access point for the business park, it will be used for the heavy construction — a situation he’s concerned will scare customers away.
“If you’re a mother with two kids you’re coming out with and you see two huge stacks across the street spewing out you don’t know what, you might think twice about sending your kids and spending some time outdoors,” he said.
“We’re not necessarily opposed to the power plant, we’re just opposed to being next to it,” he said.
“We have to fight this any way we can.”
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