The Tsuut’ina Nation is set to expand in both residences and economic prosperty, with the announcement of a new 470-acre master planned community called Taza Park.

Taza Development Corporation, a 50–50 partnership between the Tsuut’ina Nation and developer Canderel, made the announcement of the $10 billion, 15-to-20 year project on March 12.

When complete, the project will have more than 6,500 residential units and more than one million sq. ft. of retail and commercial space.

The development will be located near Weaselhead Flats and North Glenmore Park, with access to Tsuut’ina Trail to the east.

“We’re here to represent a partnership that is for the nation. And so I think the vision of Taza reflects their values. At the same time, it’s going to create a long term prosperity that they’ve envisioned ever since the ring road decision,” said James Robertson, President of Taza.

“For Calgarians, it’s another great place to live. Southwest Calgary is already a destination of choice for many Calgarians, the proximity to the amazing natural features… and the design of the community that will only enhance those. The unfortunate reality of our lives is accessibility and transportation are important elements, and we’re very fortunate to locate it some besides some pretty easy routes to get in and around Calgary.”

Creating long term economic prosperity

Robertson said that the residential development of Taza Park, which already has some commercial leasing in the form of Tsuut’ina Gas, Metro Ford, Big 4 Motors, and Volkswagen, would provide long term economic prosperity for the nation.

“Employment creation that comes from jobs during construction to jobs and businesses to business opportunities for nation to participate in the construction, but also participate in long-term businesses that could be any other thing from a restaurant, to a coffee shop, to office space, to hotels,” he said.

“It creates layers of opportunities for the nation.”

Bryce Starlight, Vice President for Development at Taza, said that the project would also be designed in such a way as to preserve and protect the culture of Tsuut’ina.

“The way that that our culture is being protected within the development, is that all projects have to have some level of cultural or recognition of being on Tsuut’ina. So, anytime that we’re looking at approving a development, there has to be some sort of a reflection or an element of Tsuut’ina culture, language, tradition or recognition thereof,” he said.

Starlight said that consultations between Taza and members of the Nation had been ongoing for several years before Wednesday’s announcement, which included community members and leaders, knowledge holders, and the Chief and Councillors.

He acknowledged the change that would come has led to a variety of different perceptions about what development should look like, or whether it should occur, but that Taza Park has been aligned with the nation’s goal of increasing economic self-determination.

“This plan has been on the books since 1970s and has taken many iterations. At the end of the day, there’s always going to be conversations about what’s right, what tenant is best, how we’re doing residential home building or job creation and sustainability. We all see that there is a absolute need for the Nation to diversify its economy beyond the hotel and all the other amenities that we do have,” Starlight said.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re on the reserve, or if you’re off the reserve, people have strong opinions about things. At the end of the day, we’re doing what we can as a community builder to ensure that we’re not just creating division, we’re actually bridging gaps.”

Starlight said an example of that was from his own experience growing up on Tsuut’ina where there wasn’t even a convenience store to go to.

“When I was growing up as a as a teenager, my two dreams were to have paved roads and a 7-Eleven I could go to whenever I wanted. I get to do that now for the rest of my community,” he said.

“This isn’t just exciting. You don’t just get this opportunity in a lifetime like I get to build, along with the rest of the community, an economy that hasn’t existed before. I get to work in the forefront of a groundbreaking development. I get to do all these things that I would never have dreamed could ever be possible.”

First three home builders announced for Taza Park

As part of Wednesday’s announcement, Taza announced that Brookfield Residential, Crystal Creek Homes, and Homes by Avi would be the first homebuilders for the development.

Robertson said that the homes that would be built would be market responsive, and at different price points.

“We have a variety of three different housing types that hit different price points and really reflect the needs of different people and different demographics. But most importantly, we wanted partnerships and people that had a willingness to commit to the vision of Taza and respect the values and the culture of the nation. Brookfield, Avi and Crystal Creek were those that stepped to the forefront on those aspects,” Robertson said.

The land that homes will be built on will be leased from the Tsuut’ina nation, in a similar manner to the type of leasing arrangements made for homes in Banff National Park, or in the University District in Calgary, said Robertson.

“We have taken some of the key clauses out of those successful land lease projects to make sure that everyone’s protected. Really what we want to know is what happens at the end? So, we have built-in mechanisms that I like to use the term of: no one leaves empty handed, and everyone’s protected and taken care of,” he said.

“At the end of this lease, your building either gets bought or the land lease gets extended. So we’re not looking for anyone to leave empty handed, and we’re not looking to displace anybody. But these are conversations for 99 years away.”

He said that in terms of taxes, the nation would be collecting a residential rate slightly lower than the City of Calgary.

Services for the homes has already begun being built, including an 2020 design award winning water reservoir designed by Zeidler Architecture in collaboration with a nation elder, in the shape of a beaver dam—that reflecting and honouring the Tsuut’ina people, also known as the Beaver People.

Starlight said that the taxes collected from residents and commercial properties would be used for the developed area, through federal legislation for tax collection on reserve land.

“That’s a fairly long standing comprehensive regime. Today, we do have that regime in place as it stands now, so taxes are being collected for Costco and Buffalo Run, as well as from the dealerships up here and the nation Tsuut’ina and Taza both provide services to ensure long term maintenance of the project,” he said.

The sales centre open for the public for Taza Park on May 24.