The Cochrane Historical Archival Preservation Society (CHAPS) approached council March 10 seeking approval to relocate the old hospital building from its current location 516 2nd St. to the Cochrane Ranche site.
The old hospital building was purchased by CHAPS for $42,000 from a private owner.
Because the building currently sits on Alberta Transportation land, it would have to be relocated in the near future to allow for the realignment of 4th Ave. when Highway 1A is eventually twinned.
Gordon Davies of CHAPS said the old hospital was built in 1909 with bricks from the Collins Brick Yard, which used to operate in Cochrane.
Davies also said that he believed moving the building to the Cochrane Ranche would offer an additional tourist destination for the town, as CHAPS intends to run the old hospital as a museum during the summer months.
“I absolutely love that building,” said councillor Jeff Toews, opening what he called a ‘can of worms’ with the suggestion to relocate several of Cochrane’s historical buildings to the Ranche for tourists to enjoy.
Council will ultimately decide whether the building will be moved to the Ranche at a future date once more information is available to them.
The proposed site would have electricity, but no water or sewer services.
Prior to the approval of any grant monies, the Rocky View Regional Handibus appeared before council to provide an update on the transit organization’s goals in Cochrane for 2014.
The Handibus hopes to receive $97,500 for the year to help provide transportation services to Cochranites.
Paul Siller, general manager of the Handibus, provided councillors with an overview of how the organization works — a pre-booked, weekday transit service, that brings people to various locations in the Calgary area for a multitude of reasons, be it medical, personal or a group outing.
Total trips in Cochrane have gone down, dropping by over 300 from 2011 to 2012, and by nearly 900 from 2012 to 2013.
Siller explained that although the actual number of trips out of Cochrane have reduced, the number of people registering to use the service has increased steadily over the years.
“We will take pretty much any reason a person needs to go within our service area,” said Siller.
The town has provided funding to the Handibus for several years — $40,000 in 2011, $60,000 in 2012 and $84,384 for 2013 — but despite the aid, the society has seen a net loss each year, including $31,363 for 2013.
The Handibus does not receive any financial support from the province.
The Handibus also provides contract services for Rocky View Schools each year.
