A Calgary businessperson has donated a portion of the historic OH Ranch to the Calgary Stampede Foundation.
Bill Siebens donated 8,000 acres, the buildings and the OH brand to commemorate the Stampede’s centennial. The gift is worth $11 million.
“I thought it was a good time to remind everyone what a special institution it is. I see it as an important link to Alberta’s past,” said Siebens, who has lived in Alberta for 54 years.
The land was once been owned by Daryl “Doc” Seaman, who had the land designated a heritage rangeland and turned over its management to an environmental conservancy.
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The ranch was put on the market after his death in 2009 and Siebens bought it with the intention of turning it over to the foundation to preserve the environmental and cultural heritage of the property.
The OH is a working ranch located south of Calgary in the foothills. Stampede president Mike Casey said the foundation will develop a plan to continue it as a working operation and as a heritage site.
“We will take it slowly and do the right thing,” he said.
The ranch was founded in 1885 and has had five owners, including entrepreneur Pat Burns, one of the four founders of the Stampede.
