Dear editor:
On the long weekend, I went door knocking, and one resident said, “It’s too bad we couldn’t have both a new pool and the traffic addressed.” That point really defines where Cochrane is at on the topic. And the truth is, we can have both.
The 10-Year Financial Strategy maps out over $230 million in capital projects (see page 15 for graphic). The list includes transportation, wastewater, recreation, cultural projects and the new aquatic/curling centre. By the numbers, transportation is the number one priority, with over $110 million being allocated to projects, including existing road network improvements, the new Bow River bridge with arterial road connections and a grade-separated crossing over the railway tracks at Centre Avenue. Getting around Cochrane is important to all of us.
And how are we going to pay for this? Through a well thought out plan, that includes grants, levies from developers, town savings and borrowing when we have to. Through years of good financial management, Cochrane is in a very strong financial situation. Because of growth, last year the tax increase was zero per cent. Because of growth, we’re going to be able to afford our priorities while keeping our tax rate low. The new aquatic/curling centre is beyond what we need today, but we need to build something that will serve us for over 30 years. Last year, we had 10 per cent growth and can safely expect six per cent average growth over the next few years. Building facilities that don’t match our growth pressures is shortsighted.
I’ve heard people say they would support the project but to pull the curling aspect. I questioned the curling aspect, but once I was shown that it’s being developed as a multi-sport centre and not just curling, it makes sense. The layout provides curling the best opportunity to succeed and can be transformed into space for skating or even an indoor turf. With that flexibility, it will never be unused space.
Additionally, the facility is designed with commercial space available. Brilliant, as it’s finding a way to offset costs of operating a pool. Standalone pools generally operate at a cost recovery around 40 per cent. This plan changes that dynamic in a very positive way. If we pull the curling aspect, we’re just giving up on an opportunity to recover more of those operating costs.
So when will I vote for this project? When we’ve got a plan in place that balances out all of our priorities. And we do. A letter in the paper is too little space to share everything and I urge readers to visit Cochrane’s website to review the strategy themselves. Visit the town website at cochrane.ca.
Tara McFadden, Cochrane councillor
