The Town of Cochrane has completed the purchase of a 26-acre parcel from Rocky View County (RVC), securing the last remaining undeveloped piece of riverfront property within town boundaries.
Acquired for $5 million, the land is located adjacent to Bow RiversEdge Campground, Jim Uffelmann Memorial Park and the growing Greystone neighbourhood.
“This is the last piece of undeveloped riverfront property in Cochrane,” said Mayor Jeff Genung during a media availability session on June 25 at The Station. “By securing this land, we are ensuring that we shape this space in a way that truly reflects the priorities, values and vision of our community. This is about building our future-- together.”
Genung highlighted the importance of the Town’s relationship with RVC in making the deal possible.
“The relationship we’ve built over the past eight years with our counterparts at Rocky View County has been instrumental,” he said. “Reeve Kissel and I have had many fruitful conversations about how we can work together to best serve our communities, and this was one of those discussions. Now, here we are, celebrating its success.”
The mayor described the parcel as a strategic acquisition, comparing its significance to the Town’s 130-acre purchase from Rocky View Schools for the Horse Creek Sports Park project.
See related article: Town approves next step in Horse Creek Park site preparation
“We’ve had these discussions during strategic planning sessions, identifying key parcels of land we could proactively secure to shape outcomes based on community needs, rather than leaving those decisions to the market,” said Genung. “This is less about growth and more about intentionally stewarding Cochrane’s future.”
The land is currently zoned Urban Holdings and is not designated for any specific use. As a former gravel pit and most recently a highway maintenance yard, the site will require environmental remediation before any development can occur.
A remediation plan will be submitted to Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, with environmental monitoring and cleanup efforts expected to begin soon. Genung said the Town is fully aware of the land’s industrial history and the resulting remediation needs.
“It’s going to take time-- likely a three-to-five-year timeline before we see a shovel in the ground,” he said. “We want to be transparent with community groups who may already have ideas for the site. This process starts with remediation and land-use planning.”
The parcel was purchased using funds from the Town’s general reserves. No immediate work will affect access to nearby amenities such as the off-leash dog park or the active transportation pathway system.
“We don’t have a specific plan in place right now,” Genung added. “What this provides is the opportunity to dream. What could this space become to best serve Cochrane for the long-term vibrancy of our community?”
As the purchase is part of a larger long-term vision, planning and development will be addressed by the next elected council following the upcoming municipal election.
“A large part of what the next council will do is envision how this land should be used, assess Cochrane’s future needs, and determine how this site can meet those needs,” said Genung.
The Town confirmed that public engagement will be central to the planning process to ensure the site reflects Cochrane’s shared vision-- one focused on protecting open spaces, enhancing livability, and investing in future public amenities and infrastructure.
