The soundtrack for summer 2025 in Glenbow sounds like it will be backup alarms and diesel engines, as long as Cochrane council approves the major infrastructure renewal project discussed at the Oct. 7 meeting. And if it holds to the schedule, it will last for two summers.
The on-again-off-again Glenpatrick Drive Project is on again, which may be good news or bad news for residents of the area, who were braced to see the excavators roll in last summer before the project was cancelled at the last minute due to some funding irregularities at the Town of Cochrane.
The latest cost estimate to complete the construction of the project is $14.78M, which will have to be approved as part of this year’s budgetary process. The expanded scope actually represents a whole new project with a dramatically expanded scope. Council approved the 2023 budget request of $5.555M for Administration to initiate and complete the planned infrastructure replacement.
The overdue infrastructure renewal project now includes full replacement of the Town’s water, sanitary, storm and roadway infrastructure from Fifth Ave to Glenbow Elementary school. The infrastructure within the project area has reached its service life span and has resulted in failures such as multiple water leaks that have impacted residents in the community and resulted increased operational and maintenance costs due to unplanned or emergency repairs.
The roadway will be widened in sections and include traffic calming measures to support the recommended improvements and increase public safety.
The project also includes the replacement of the existing three-way intersection adjacent to Glenbow Elementary school with a roundabout to further facilitate public safety within the community.
The project is currently in the detailed design phase. Pending Council’s approval of the budget as part of the 2025-2027 budget process, construction is being planned to begin in the spring of 2025 with an expected completion date of fall 2026.
The Glenpatrick Drive Project was identified in the 2023-2025 budget cycle, including the replacement of segments of the underground water, sewer and storm pipes.
In July 2023 Council approved an Administration request to defer the project to another year so staff could address inconsistencies raised in an annual audit, and re-engage the impacted community.
As part of the 2024-2026 budget, Council approved $150,000 to complete a more comprehensive and expanded detailed design.
The expanded project scope includes the replacement of all existing aging water, sanitary, storm and roadway infrastructure from Fifth Ave to Glenbow Elementary school and construction of new sidewalks/pathways to support alternative modes of active transportation and future development on the Fifth Ave site (rodeo grounds).
Administration’s report to Council Oct. 7 stated: “Not doing this project increases the risk of major asset failures that will impact residents and their properties while increasing operating and maintenance costs from unplanned and emergency repairs.”
Although no one came out and used the word “mistakes,” the undercurrent throughout much of the discussion Oct. 7 was how to take on the Glenbow project and avoid what happened last year on Centre Ave.
The Town’s executive director of development and infrastructure services, Drew Hyndman, said the key to the success of the major project will be to engage the community in a meaningful dialogue.
Hyndman and Mayor Jeff Genung both referenced Centre Ave. as an example of some of the challenges involved in large infrastructure projects.
“We understand what happened on Centre Ave. and we don’t want to repeat that,” Hyndman said.
The Glenbow project is currently scheduled for two summers, something Hyndman said was done purposely.
“Understanding the scale and scope of it, the belief that we could complete this all within one construction season would definitely be a significant effort and push so we don’t want to set unrealistic expectations,” he said.
Communication will be crucial for a project that will see people’s property dug up for two years.
“We intend to prioritize engagement with the Glenbow community prior to the commencement of construction,” Hyndman said.
In response to Genung’s question about how the Town plans to apply what they learned from the Centre Ave. project, Hyndman said, “This is right on the front doorstep of a significant portion of this community and that’s why the engagement portions are going to be very significant,” he said.
“Communication is going to be key.”
Brian Winter, who was listening closely in the gallery, and is in the midst of forming a Glenbow community association, liked what he heard about a commitment to better communication.
“That’s exactly why we’re forming the community association,” he said.
“These people don’t know where they’re going to get water from or go to the washroom. Communication with the residents is going to be so vital.”
