community outreach

SUBMIT FEEDBACK VIA EMAIL OR USE THE FORM BELOW: info@cowboysmusicfestival.com
COMMUNITY FORUM
Overview
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Cowboys Music Festival’s (CMF) location will operate from July 4th to 14th, 2024.

For over 27 years, Cowboys has been part of the business fabric in The City of Calgary 365 days a year. We have been in our present location adjacent to the Cowboys Casino since 2011. We employ over 1000 people for our stampede operations between direct staff and contractors. A large number are students, who rely on their earnings over Stampede to support their education/tuition. In addition to students, Cowboys is a known supporter of hundreds of charities, foundations, sports teams/leagues and other organisations, many of which rely on our operations over Stampede for significant fundraising and awareness opportunities. 

During the advertising and development process, we invite feedback from community residents and stakeholders in the Calgary Beltline area. Below is our 14-point Community Commitment Plan that we would like to share. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out by using the link above.

Community Standards
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As a long-time business operator in the City of Calgary, we recognise that we have a responsibility to manage our activities in the areas where we operate and to create a positive impact on the community and our business. Cowboys and CMF have always, and will continue, to maintain positive neighbourhood relations and work closely and collaboratively with the community. In addition to the plans outlined in this proposal, CMF has committed to a 14-point plan that we will share with the public. The goals of the Community Commitment Plan will be accomplished through responsible leadership, open communication, careful planning, and meticulous follow-through with the support of the community and contingency plans.

Commitment Plan
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  1. A CMF Community Forum (online) has been set up for community concerns directed to CMF. All concerns will be addressed appropriately and promptly. The CMF Community Online Forum will be open before, during, and after the event for community feedback and is accessible 24/7.
  2. CMF has and will continue to review and update our policies and plans before the event based on the feedback received through the local authorities and comments received during the Development Permit review period.
  3. CMF is committed to meeting its extensive Sound Dispersal, Crowd Management and Egress Plans (as listed in our operational plan). CMF has partnered with FM Systems again to employ top-of-the-line sound dispersal and mitigation technology.
  4.  CMF is committed to continuing to work closely and diligently with official partners such as the CPS, CFD, AGLC, Victoria Park BIA and City of Calgary Licensing and Bylaw to create a safe experience and to lessen any adverse community impact.
  5. The top priority of CMF during setup/construction has been and will continue to be keeping the site and surrounding area organised, clean, safe, and free of garbage so as not to become a nuisance or eyesore to our neighbours and surrounding environment. CMF will engage third-party services from Waste Management and ISCS to reduce any adverse community impact to support this.
  6. CMF is committed to strictly abiding by all set permits.
  7. CMF and our contractors will consistently patrol the perimeter of the premises during operational hours and egress of the event. To support this, CMF's BLOCKWATCH program will be in effect again this year, maintaining an positive and active presence in our community and acting as a deterrent for crime or unlawful behaviour.
  8. CMF will encourage all patrons to utilise safe and available transportation to and from the festival including public transportation, taxis and ride-share services. CMF will promote safe and available transportation options to all patrons including but not limited to all CMF site maps, event detail emails sent to ticket holders, CMF website, and CMF social media platforms. Accessible signage will provide clear directions for exit and directed egress.
  9. To assist in the extensive CMF egress plan, CMF will align dedicated and approved pick-up and drop-off zones for public transportation (including Taxi & Ride Share) with the Calgary Stampede. Detailed signage will be posted.
  10. CMF is committed to providing accessible customer service to people with disabilities in a manner that respects their dignity, independence, and integration and that is equitable in relation to the broader public.
  11. CMF will continue to promote and host a diverse range of organised activities and events throughout the festival, including a minimum of two free community events. Over the past 27 years, CMF has partnered with local and international charities to continue to bring awareness and raise funds for charitable organisations and foundations important to our community.
  12. In continued support and development of the local music community and the arts, CMF has commissioned a minimum of two (2) local community artists to contribute to temporary art installations for the event.
  13. CMF is committed to keeping the safety of its patrons and the community its top priority. Event security will be extensive and comprise internal security supported with additional security provided by the Calgary Police Service (Pay Duty) and Impact Security.
  14. CMF is committed to long-term community standards success. Following the event, CMF will encourage local businesses, residential tenants, and all CMF Community Forum contributors to provide feedback. These policies and plans will be updated based on the community feedback received.
COMMUNITY FAQ
WHAT COMMUNITY EVENTS WILL COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL HOST?
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CMF will promote and host a diverse range of organized activities and events throughout the festival including a minimum of two free community events.

Over the past 27 years, CMF has partnered with local and international charities to continue to bring awareness and raise funds for charitable organizations and foundations important to our community.

WHAT ARE COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVALS POLICIES FOR ATTENDEES?
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House Policies

The below will not be tolerated at the CMF Event Site:

  • Harassment or aggressive behaviour towards other patrons, officials, staff or the community
  • Causing damage to any property in the community including inside or around/outside the CMF Event Site
  • Throwing of any objects IE: Ice, cups or any solid objects regardless of size

Zero Tolerance Policy

To ensure our patron’s safety is our top priority, CMF has a zero-tolerance policy for the following:

  • Narcotics of any kind and, any other controlled substance
  • The use, intention to use or sale of any narcotics at the CMF Event Site
  • Weapons of any nature or objects/items that resemble a weapon
  • Poor behaviour (as deemed by CMF staff) towards patrons, officials, staff or the community

We encourage patrons that witnesses or suspects any illicit or illegal action to notify CMF Security and/or CPS immediately.

WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE QUESTION, COMMENT OR COMPLAINT ABOUT COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL (CMF)?
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Please use the CMF Community Forum (online) for any questions, comments, complaints, or ideas you have regarding the Cowboys Music Festival. CMF is committed to addressing all feedback in a timely manner. The CMF Community Online Forum will be open before, during, and after the event for community feedback and is accessible 24/7.

CMF is committed to long-term community standards success. Following the event, CMF will encourage neighborhood businesses, local residents, and all CMF Community Forum contributors to provide feedback. Policies and Plans will be updated based on the community feedback.

WHERE IS THE STAGE THIS YEAR IN RELATION TO LAST YEAR?
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This year the stage will be located on the eastern side of our festival site, the same location as in 2023. Please see the Map at the bottom of this page for details.

HOW FAR IS THE NEW COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL (CMF) SITE FROM THE PREVIOUS COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL (CMF) SITE?
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The event site stage is in the same location as CMF 2023 and less than 200 feet from the 2012-2019 locations of CMF.

WHAT IS THE CAPACITY OF COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL (CMF)?
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The capacity of the venue is anticipated to be similar to the previous 2023 venue. The exact capacity will be determined by the Calgary Fire Department (CFD).

HOW LATE WILL COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL (CMF) OPERATE EVERY NIGHT?
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The CMF Event Site hours of operation will be no earlier than 11:00 am until 2:00 am daily with consumption until 3:00 am.

WHAT IS COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL (CMF) DOING FOR SOUND CONTROL?
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CMF will abide by all house noise and volume policies by contracting highly reputable third-party companies to enforce them. This will include continually testing and measuring sound throughout the event during hours of operation.  We are currently working with advanced audio experts to ensure we are using the most advanced sound control technologies.

WHAT ARE COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL (CMF) PLANS FOR SECURITY IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA?
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Public safety is a priority for (CMF) and we will have fully trained security team members and hired City of Calgary Police officers on site to ensure safety protocols are followed within our gates. We also provide the CMF BlockWatch team - who will have a presence in the community as well. This team will be a deterrent to potential issues, but they are not there to police the area. If you see or hear something concerning please call 911 or address with your condo security.

WHAT ARE COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL (CMF) PLANS FOR SECURITY?
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Event security will be extensive and be comprised of internal Event Security supported with additional security provided by the Calgary Police Service (Pay Duty) and Impact Security, Medical & Logistics. The CMF Event Site will have a minimum of 70 dedicated CMF Event Security. CMF Event Security will be recognizable in Red Hi-Visibility SECURITY vests and will be connected with radios, headsets & flashlights. All CMF Event Security staff will have valid Protect certification obtained through AGLC. Pay Duty CPS officers as well as Impact Security, Medical & Logistics on-site during all peak operating hours.

WILL COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL BE CLOSING THE STREETS CLOSE BY, TO ALLOW FOR PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC?
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CMF is unable to block off the streets surrounding our site. All road closures are facilitated by the City of Calgary.

HOW WILL COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL (CMF) MANAGE THE CROWDS?
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As an extension to the overall Crowd Management plan, CMF will ensure that ingress and egress is orderly and controlled. Line queue areas are stationed and included with on-site plans.

The following plans and controls will be in place:

  • CMF customer counts (entry and exit) will be maintained at ALL entrances and consolidated every 15 minutes at the Central Security Station, ensuring CFD event patron capacities are maintained.
  • CMF Event Security will ensure the care and control of the property. Personnel will be posted at all exits and access points within the CMF Event Site.
  • Any case of patron eviction that is anticipated as possibly disruptive or irresolvable will be made directly from the premises and communicated to CPS (pay duty). If CPS (pay duty) assistance is required, they will be notified directly by CMF.

Cowboys is also currently working with the Calgary Stampede to align all transportation pickup/drop-off sites.

HOW WILL THE COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL (CMF) TENT AFFECT THE AREA AROUND THE EVENT SITE?
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CMF will only operate inside the designated CMF event site. The proposed CMF event site does not impose on or require use of existing sidewalks, bike lanes or streets. All sidewalks, bike lanes and streets will remain open.

The priority of CMF during setup/construction will be to keep the site and surrounding area organized, clean, and free of garbage as to not become a nuisance or eyesore to our neighbours and surrounding environment, using third party services from Waste Management and ISCS to reduce any adverse community impact.

HOW LONG WILL COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL (CMF) BE SET UP IN MY COMMUNITY?
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Set up of the CMF Event Site is anticipated to commence on June 14th, 2024 and the property will be returned in its original condition on July 21st, 2024. Security patrols will be on site 24/7 during CMF's entire occupation of the property.  The Cowboys Music Festival will operate from July 4th-14th, coinciding with the Calgary Stampede 2024.

WHERE WILL THE COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL (CMF) BE LOCATED?
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The PROPOSED CMF Event Site will be located at 519 12 Ave SE (Lot 14, Stampede Park).

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