A reveal of the vision for key public service lands had Cochranites buzzing about the future and largely impressed that the plans included keeping the rodeo grounds where they are, while making them more usable year-round. “I’m ecstatic to see the inclusion of the event centre facility,” said Matt Zoethout, Lions Event Centre chair. “We welcome Seniors on the Bow and the arts community to that space. We’re looking forward to keeping the rodeo alive in the Town of Cochrane.” The Tri-Site team unveiled what the committee has conceptualized for three sites dedicated to serving the community at the Lions Event Centre on Nov. 27: the Fifth Avenue site (rodeo grounds and Boys and Girls Club); the Cochrane Public Library site; and the Esso Bulk Station (across from the library). With two to three buildings per site, the vision is based on a multi-use concept and encompasses everything from expanded youth, senior and social services to library, arts/culture, affordable housing, parks and amenities as well as town hall satellite offices. This follows months of stakeholder and public engagement, with Post-it notes cluttering two white boards with comments ranging from “Let’s get started” to “Don’t raise my taxes” – all of which will be presented to council on Dec. 10. Positive comments centered on the plans for Cochrane Central Park – which encompasses the rodeo grounds, green spaces, sports courts, an outdoor skating rink, amphitheatre and gathering space for outdoor markets or events, as well as the notion to relocate the Seniors On The Bow (SOTB) Centre to the site and add seniors housing – potentially making a portion of the site the new home for Big Hill Lodge. Negative comments stemmed from the perception that the plans were too lofty and possible unattainable, given the expense to build and unknowns around funding models at this early stage. There were also concerns over parking shortages, given Cochrane’s already mounting downtown parking concerns and the hefty price tags associated with underground parking. “I’d like to see (residential) housing stopped for a while ... until we get some of this stuff done,” said Mary Lou Nicolson, Cochrane resident who was pleased to see the rodeo grounds in the centre of the plans, the inclusion of seniors housing and a new home for SOTB and hopeful that an arts/cultural centre won’t be too far out. Doug Campbell, longtime active volunteer and past chair of SOTB, attended the reveal. While Campbell said he understands that centralizing the seniors centre downtown would improve accessibility – especially for seniors with mobility or health issues – he also feels council’s approval of transit this week will aid in that connectivity and does not want to see negative impacts on the sports facility should SOTB be relocated. “The (SLSFSC) complex is fabulous, but it needs more utilization – particularly with the financial situation,” said Campbell, with reference to the synergies with facility use by SOTB members and the growth of the curling club – with several added leagues and teams this year. “We have pretty much the best ice in the greater Calgary area.” “I really like the multi-function use of the rodeo grounds,” said Cassie Leszczynsk, who works at the library as a library assistant and programmer. Overall, Leszczynsk said she was very impressed to see such big picture thinking on the part of the committee but does see parking as a big issue and emphasized the growth in library patronage and how residents could use a bigger, more innovative library space to accommodate users and rising programming demands. Coun. Susan Flowers, a Tri-Site committee member and council representative with an unabashed commitment to boosting the town’s social infrastructure, said the feedback she was hearing throughout the evening was mostly positive. “People are really impressed with how many other groups we’ve connected with,” said Flowers, adding that the one-on-one conversations with residents has allowed her and committee members to dispel some myths – including concerns over competing with private businesses. She added that providing enough parking will prove to be a costly hurdle to overcome, but one that must be addressed. “It’s just a must to get underground parking.” Mayor Jeff Genung is assured that with everything on the table there could be any number of creative opportunities for funding and partnerships to phase in the future development. “This was about dreaming – what do we see, what do we want out of this community?” said Genung. With respect to funding and finances, public/private partnerships and government grants would be sought, as would investment and participation from private sector businesses. The town also collects $1 million each year through Community Revitalization Levy – funds which can go toward the library and Esso Bulk sites. Town CAO Dave Devana said once council approves the plan, administration will get to work on a funding strategy. The town’s Ten-Year Financial Strategy presently includes $3 million for an arts/cultural/innovation/library centre in 2024. Gerry Murphy, senior manager of community services for the town, said that over 150 people attended the reveal that evening. Murphy said the team is cognizant of the parking concerns and that it is key at this time to remember that a lot of work has yet to be done on putting together a funding model. “What I’m most proud of is that this design is a result of the work that the advisory committee has done ... this isn’t council’s or administration’s design. It’s truly a resident-directed design.” Visit letstalkcochrane.ca to view the slides from the presentation.
