The actions of Rocky View County council in regards to “exploring developer interest in the CDAS (Cochrane and District Agriculture Society) grounds” have roused my curiosity. Several questions come to mind.
Why was no research done to see how many people use the facilities on this property? Was any research done to evaluate the economic benefit to the local businesses brought about by people visiting to use or watch events at the facility?
The Calgary Stampede is run by an agriculture society and the social and economic benefits are undeniable – Calgarians are lucky the earlier Calgary city councils had some foresight of the possibilities brought about by local events.
Why was there no public consultation before Rocky View council discussed this subject? Where is the discussion about the pipeline right of ways, environmentally sensitive side slopes, access and suitability of use about this property?
How much will it cost the taxpayers of Rocky View to purchase the leasehold improvements from CDAS – the buildings, the roads, water access, parking lots, permanent jumps, fencing, BMX facilities and whatever else? Was the cost to taxpayers for an alternate location and replacement of these facilities determined by council? What would the time span be to get this work done?
Recent council decisions give rise to this question: Does anyone on council stand to personally gain from the sale or development of this property?
The apparent lack of any real consideration given this decision by Rocky View council makes me wonder exactly who council is working for. It is really up to the people and businesses of Cochrane and Rocky View to decide whether the CDAS grounds are of value or not; whether it is important to find an answer and; whether the council serves the taxpayers or not.
Unless the councillors feel some weight of public opinion, this sale is likely to proceed. “How the West is Now” could then be replaced with “How to Develop a Purely Bedroom Community Without Thought or Consultation” and “Cultivating Communities” replaced with “How a Council Railroads the Populace.”
Alan Kidd
