Skip to content

Artillery shells found on former army land where First Nation casino now stands

The recent discovery of large artillery shells in the Weaselhead Flats and on a section of the Tsuu T’ina Nation has renewed public safety warnings in the area that once housed military training.

CALGARY — The recent discovery of large artillery shells in the Weaselhead Flats and on a section of the Tsuu T’ina Nation has renewed public safety warnings in the area that once housed military training.

Peter Manywounds, CEO of the First Nation, says the former Harvey Barracks used to be located where the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino now stands.

He says two 155-millimetre artillery shells, weighing approximately 135 kilograms each, were recently spotted and disposed of.

One of the shells was located on Tsuu T’ina land while the other had washed into the Weaselhead Flats natural environment park.

Manywounds says people need to be careful when they’re in the area.

He says something may just look like a rusted piece of metal but it conceivably could blow up and kill someone.

Along the popular Elbow River Pathway near the Weaselhead, city crews have erected signs warning of the potential danger of explosives in the area.

Members of the Calgary Police Service bomb disposal unit have spent a considerable time removing old shells from the trails of the Weaselhead.

Const. Jerry Holik says the casing of grenades, dynamite and artillery shells will deteriorate over time and the explosives may become more volatile.

“Sometimes, people are tempted to move this stuff if they find it which is a big no-no,” he says, adding anyone who encounters an explosive should note the location, back away and call police.