Visit Taza's Experience Centre at 7 Chiefs Sportsplex

A welcoming place for questions, curiosity and conversation

The Taza Experience Centre, located at the 7 Chiefs Sportsplex, is a hub of information on the roots of Taza, community announcements, construction updates, and the development’s future plans. The purpose of the centre is to provide a bridge between members of the community and the development team, fostering open communication and answering important questions. The centre is frequented by members of Tsuut’ina Nation, as well as Calgarians and other Albertans who are curious about the growing development. The centre is led by Tsuut’ina Nation member Randy Dodginghorse, the Director of Tsuut’ina Relations at Taza Development Corp.

Randy shares, “The experience centre provides a comfortable place for everyone to learn more about Taza and ask questions. I may not have all the answers, but I guarantee I'll find the answers and bring them back to the interested parties. We work closely with the Tsuut’ina community at different levels. We do ongoing presentations to the elders groups and leadership, and we're also doing more outreach to the community through informational sessions.”

The centre also operates as a gathering space and holds on-site information sessions to engage and collaborate with the Tsuut’ina community. According to Randy, the community engagement efforts are anticipated to reach a minimum of 250 Nation members between September and December 2024. From April to June 2024 the centre reached approximately 150 Nation members, sharing key information on how Taza is moving things forward and bringing economic benefits to the community.

Randy shares, “I think this experience centre is a safe place to come and ask questions. No judgment, we are open to all questions. My role as Director of Tsuut’ina Relations is all about keeping the communication going - providing and receiving positive, factual communication. I think it's an ongoing practice that I enjoy because I believe the more the Nation knows, the more they'll understand the benefits to the community, not only in the short-term but the long-term too.”

Randy has been with the Taza team since May 2023. During that time, he has recognized the need for the Taza Experience Centre to be re-energized and now spends two days a week there to connect with the community (Tuesday and Thursdays from 9 AM to 3 PM). The Tsuut’ina community and members of the general public are encouraged to visit and ask questions, watch informational videos, read brochures, and explore the development plans for each of the community villages under construction - Taza Park, Buffalo Run and The Crossing.  Please sign up for our newsletters to receive up-to-date information.

Something wondrous is coming

A common question that Randy receives at the Taza Experience Centre is, “How will this development positively impact Tsuut’ina Nation?”

Randy shares, “When someone asks me that question, wherever they come from, whether it's the Nation, other First Nations, Calgarians, business people, or interested parties, they always ask me about the name. For instance, where does Taza come from? It comes from our language. There's a whole story behind that word. The basic translation is something from the future is coming. Something wondrous from the future is coming.

When people ask me about Taza, its benefits or what is planned, I always remind them that it's a long-term economic development project that the Nation voted on. In fact, 69% of nation members (ages 18+) voted in favour of the Southwest Ring Road in 2013 and a year later 80% of the community voted in favour to designate1,200 acres for economic development which is how Taza was formed.”

How Taza Benefits Tsuut’ina Nation

The long-term community development plan will bring significant social and economic benefits to Tsuut’ina Nation, including:

• Employment opportunities through new retail tenants 
• Entrepreneurial opportunities
• Career path advancement opportunities
• Long term economic prosperity for the Nation
• Promotes economic sustainability by integrating Indigenous knowledge and values into the built environment, creating a lasting legacy for Tsuut'ina culture
• Strengthens the economic base for future community growth and plays a role in fostering generational wealth
• Procurement opportunities for construction, services and products 
• New infrastructure 
• Accessible services and amenities
• Proximity to recreational infrastructure and parkland green spaces
• Community events, entertainment and more

Currently, 1,200 acres of Tsuut’ina Nation land is approved for economic development land use through Taza development, which includes retail, commercial, residential, recreational and parkland. The community is already starting to come to life with The Shops at Buffalo Run, which celebrated its Grand Opening earlier this year. The retail hub is approximately 80% leased with more than 40 tenants that offer a wide range of services, including casual dining, health and wellness, veterinary services, daycare, legal, psychology, car wash, storage, financial services and more.

In his role, Randy has contributed as a regular member of the Cultural and Language Advisory Committee (led by Tsuut’ina Development Authority), facilitating an ongoing collaborative process for tenants, partners, and vendors looking for support with cultural training, language translation, ceremonial support and artist contributions. This demonstrates their appreciation and respect for the community, and their openness towards collaborating with artists, elders, and leadership. The advisory committee is composed of Tsuut’ina Nation members, including leadership, elders, artisans, Tsuut’ina Development Authority and Taza. This group ensures that Tsuut’ina Nation has input around art, design, and cultural concepts that are incorporated into Taza’s buildings and landscape.

Bringing Taza from vision to reality through ongoing collaboration

The Tsuut’ina Nation and the Province of Alberta signed an agreement in November 2013 which allowed for the southwest extension of the Calgary Ring Road through Tsuut’ina land. This pivotal agreement opened the door for a partnership between the Tsuut’ina Nation and The Canderel Group to build one of the largest First Nations developments in North America. Tsuut’ina Nation moved forward with an economic development vote which received an 80% vote in favour of the plan (all Tsuut’ina Nation members 18 years and older). 

After the vote, Tsuu’tina Nation leadership determined, through consultation with the community, that a partner was needed to make the development happen, and Canderel Group was thoughtfully selected as the right partner. 

Out of that partnership, Taza Development Corporation was created. The Taza leadership team answers to a Board of Directors, which includes two members from Canderel and two Tsuut’ina Nation Minor Chiefs. This board meets quarterly to make high level decisions for the development, and ensures that all parties are given equal representation and voice.

Randy shares, “I'm a Tsuut’ina Nation member, so I grew up in the community. This was not a new concept, this idea of trying to find a way for the community to prosper in a lot of different areas, whether it's job opportunities, close proximity to comfortable shopping, jobs within the retail commercial areas, or residential opportunities within the community.”

Taza is moving towards a bright, innovative and sustainable future

Many people first heard about Taza when the Costco opened at The Shops at Buffalo Run, but there is still plenty of growth planned for the coming years, and a lot of important information to share with the community. Randy is ready to help answer questions, share future plans, and help visitors navigate the website for future updates. He plays a significant role in the partnership between Tsuut’ina Nation and Canderel as their partnership grows.

He shares, “A few months ago, we had the Grand Opening at The Shops at Buffalo Run. It was very successful, there was a huge community turnout. There was also a lot of leadership present, including Chief Roy Whitney from the Tsuut’ina Nation and quite a few Minor Chiefs from the Nation. There were also elders from the community there. We had powwow dancers and singers do a performance, and the tenants had their own little area that provided samples from their stores. I thought it went really well, and I was happy to be part of the planning team.”

The Taza Park Marketing & Sales Centre is currently under construction and will be completed by the end of 2024 with a public launch happening in Spring 2025. This centre will operate as a public community hub  that showcases residential living opportunities, community amenities, and future development plans. It will also be the new home of the Taza Development Corp. office, ensuring their presence in the heart of the community. 

This new edition coupled with the Experience Centre at the 7 Chiefs Sportsplex provides greater access to information and questions that visitors and surrounding neighbours may have. Both will operate as a comfortable space for Tsuut’ina Nation members and others to connect and ask questions.

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