Alberta judge quashes environmental review approval of Rosebud motorsport project

A sign is shown near Rosebud, Alta., northeast of Calgary, where landowners are fighting a proposed racetrack on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

A group of landowners fighting the construction of a massive motorsport racing resort northeast of Calgary have won a court victory.

In 2006 Badlands Motorsports Resort purchased 194 hectares of prime land along the Rosebud River valley, 108 kilometres from Calgary.

The project includes building a $500-million racing park for street-legal machines with multiple racetracks, a go-kart track, a hotel and condominiums.

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Some local landowners, referring to themselves as the group “Save Our Rosebud” want no part of it.

Opponents were concerned that filling in two wetlands to build the track would harm birds such as bank swallows, eagles, hawks and falcons.

Alberta’s Environmental Appeals Board dismissed that concern in 2024 for lack of evidence and the environment minister at the time, Rebecca Schulz, later agreed with that decision.

But after a judicial review Court of King’s Bench Justice Melanie Gaston issued a ruling last month quashing the approval and sending it back for another review.

“The approval authorizes Badlands to: place fill in two wetlands, modify three wetlands, and construct, operate and carry out maintenance of a stormwater management system,” Gaston writes.

“Having found that the Board unreasonably disregarded relevant evidence, the matter is remitted to the Board. The Board must decide the appeal having regard to the evidence relevant to the issues it set for itself. The decision is quashed, and the matter is remitted back to the Board for a rehearing.”

The individuals who launched the appeal say they are pleased with the outcome.

“Our river valleys are some of the last sanctuaries for Prairie wildlife. They are backyards that belong to everybody and it’s critical that we take a stand to protect them for all Albertans to continue to enjoy,” Rick Skibsted said in a post on Facebook.

“A racetrack fits any river valley like a toilet fits in your living room.”

Rosebud is a tourist draw in and of itself, known for its local theatre and pie shop.

On the other side of the battle is a group of doctors, led by Calgary radiologist Dr. Jay Zelazo. They bought the property, five kilometres from Rosebud, to build a new raceway after the only track near Calgary was struggling to stay afloat.

The project is still on track said Zelazo’s father James, who is the CFO of Badland Motorsports. He said the company is still seeking investment and is still determining how to pay for the paving of a 10-kilometre stretch of road to the property.

“It won’t affect the project definitely. It’s only the one track in the lower valley that we would hold off doing anything on,” Zelazo said.

“We’re not restricted on starting our major development and we can bide our time. We weren’t planning to do the track in the lower part anyway. We would have the other part going and if we decide it’s feasible then we’ll go ahead with it.”

Zelazo is hopeful some construction could begin this summer or fall.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 18, 2026.

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press