Calgary councillor raises concerns from residents and skateboarders over access and noise levels at Cowboys Park

The Cowboys Music Festival in Calgary.

A Calgary councillor says community concerns over the new home of the Cowboys Music Festival in west downtown are ongoing and unresolved.

The city and Penny Lane Entertainment have a 10-year sponsorship agreement that saw Millenium Park renamed to Cowboys Park.

It’s also home for Penny Lane’s 10-day Stampede Music Festival.

Last year, 311 received 126 related complaints, in addition to concerns over reduced access to the skatepark.

Councillor Myke Atkinson says despite talks with stakeholders, west end residents, administration and Penny Lane addressing these issues, this year’s festival will go ahead with no changes -- and even more leeway for the festival’s operator.

“In the new agreement, (they get) 10 days in advance to set up and 10 days to tear down. There’s no other festival in this city that gets that kind of right to public space,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson says he will continue to fight for area residents and the skateboard community and push for changes ahead of next summer’s Stampede season.