Stampede noise complaints surge to 186 with Cowboys Music Festival driving majority
As of Thursday morning, the City of Calgary has received 186 noise complaints related to Stampede events, with 124 traced to the Cowboys Music Festival at Cowboys Park.
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Calgary has received 186 noise complaints related to Stampede events and activities as of Thursday, July 9 at 7 a.m.—a significant increase from the city's previous count earlier in the week.
The Cowboys Music Festival at Cowboys Park in the downtown west end has generated the majority, with 124 complaints. The Badlands Music Festival has accounted for 37 complaints, Whiskey Rose for six, the National Saloon for one, and other Stampede events for 18 combined.
This marks a dramatic jump compared to the same period last year, when Cowboys had received 91 complaints, Badlands 17, Whiskey Rose nine, and the National Saloon two.
The city approved new noise exemption permits requiring tents to comply with 75 decibels until midnight and allow spillover until 1 a.m. Ryan Pleckaitis, Chief of Community Standards, said the city has seen decibel reductions over the past three nights but flagged bass levels as an ongoing challenge.
"We are encouraged by the reduction in decibel levels over the past three nights; however, bass levels remain a challenge," Pleckaitis said. "We will be monitoring this venue closely with the goal of achieving compliance through working with operators or through enforcement, if necessary."
Ward 8 Councillor Nathan Schmidt said he is hearing more complaints from residents in Sunalta, attributing the increase to the festival's stage being repositioned to face west rather than south. He noted he can hear bass from the Westbrook LRT station area.
A noise violation ticket issued to the Badlands Music Festival earlier in the week was rescinded after Community Standards completed an internal review. The city's next noise update is scheduled for July 13.
