Water crisis leads to uncertainty for Calgary Stampede, chamber warns

As Calgary officials declare a local state of emergency over the water crisis that is expected to last another five weeks, the president of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce is raising concerns about how the city’s water crisis may impact the Calgary Stampede.

“We are deeply concerned that the City of Calgary has entered a State of Emergency caused by the deterioration of Calgary’s main water feeder pipe, particularly given the issues will take an additional three to give weeks to resolve,” said Deborah Yedlin, president and CEO of the organization.

Billed as the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” thousands of visitors and many extra animals are expected to show up for the Calgary Stampede from July 5 to 14.

But if the host city doesn’t have enough water, concerns are being raised over how the show can go on.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said she signed the paperwork to declare an emergency on Saturday morning following the investigation of the broken pipe, which uncovered five more areas in need of repairs.

She said the declaration grants the city powers it ordinarily wouldn’t have, such as allowing city workers to enter private property to expedite repairs.

“This is not a decision that was made lightly,” she said during a press conference alongside Calgary Emergency Management Agency chief Sue Henry.

“If we can make this happen faster, we will absolutely make it happen faster and I’m determined to do everything that I can to do so.”

Tricia Stadnyk, a professor with the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering and Canada Research Chair in hydrologic modelling, said allowing the Stampede to go ahead is possible with services like water trucks.

“Of course, that’s only the event itself,” she told Global News on Saturday.