New space for future RCMP station Town council moved forward with administration's recommendation to acquire a larger site for the build out of the future RCMP station, which will also house municipal enforcement. The current site, located at 320 Heartland Crescent in the community of Heartland is believed too small; therefore, the town is selling the land to developer Apex and purchasing a 4.66 acre site in the northwest corner of Heartland to better accommodate parking and storage needs. The current site will be disposed of at market value for $1.466 million and the new site will be purchased for $700,000 an acre. The net cost is just shy of $1.1 million; the move will also require council to re-designate the site from multi-family to public service lands. These additional funds will come from the police debt serving reserve, which has contributions of $840,000 a year from the police operating budget for debt servicing. In sum the total land cost for the 4.66 acre site is $3.262 million, funded with $1.4 million from MSI capital grant dollars and $1.862 from the police debt servicing reserve. Once the design phase is complete, the financing will be done through borrowing and this will be brought back to council. Administration confirmed the goal is to be shovel ready by late 2019 or early 2020 with an estimated 18-month build out. Teen hub Representatives from the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area (BGCCA) appealed to council at the April 23 meeting, seeking support for its future dedicated teen hub. Presenters highlighted that the existing clubhouse, located on Fifth Avenue, is "bursting at the seams" and that teen membership has increased by 125 per cent in 2018 alone. The growing need for a community and programming space dedicated to teens has become apparent, as highlighted by staff. Dubbed The CLUB, the teen space is anticipated to cost $75,000 to run each year, plus initial equipment and renovation costs of $50,000 for a total price tag of $120,000. With $100,000 raised to date, the BGCCA has reached 80 per cent of its goal. The BGCCA received an operating grant through the 2018 town budget for $35,000, but these funds did not go toward The CLUB. The BGCCA will be asking for an additional $40,000 from council for the 2019 year, for a total ask of $75,000 in the next budget. The group said they are in mid-process with lease negotiations for their central location and once confirmed, would announce the new location. Friends of Fireside Parents were out in full force, joined by children with a range of disabilities, cheerleading their quest to build a fully-inclusive playground at Fireside School – a K-8 school that opened last November. Laura McDonald from Friends of Fireside was on deck to present to council, joined by a small army of supporters. McDonald highlighted that the Cochrane community has been "very generous" in the fundraising department, having reached 85 per cent of their $400,000 goal. The group indicated they are seeking additional funds to help achieve its funding and have been directed to apply for the town's community grant program – the maximum grant per applicant is $2,500. With a number of "irons in the fire" to finish the fundraising , McDonald said construction should begin this September. McDonald spoke to the excitement building in the community as a whole, with two fully inclusive playgrounds being fundraised for at the same time. Variety - The Children's Charity is currently fundraising to build out a fully-inclusive playground to replace and/or expand on the existing playground at Lions Centennial Park in the East End. The two parks will offer a different range of amenities, with intentional design differences. Friends of Fireside School has a Facebook page for those who wish to get in touch. Public engagement Town communications, led by in-house public engagement expert Julie Haskill, presented to council on the revamping of the town's public engagement policy. The Community Consultation Policy was last updated in 2014 and more revisions are required, as there has been considerable community growth and advances in technology in the years since. Haskill provided an overview on measures being taken to increase public engagement through technology, included the town's recently-launched Let's Talk Cochrane site – an online portal that informs residents of ongoing issues, related open houses and encourages feedback through the portal. The town is continuing to develop more innovative and savvy ways to engage with residents both formally and informally. Mayor Jeff Genung and council have been big proponents for increasing public engagement and connecting better with residents to inform decisions. Committee appointees Following an in-camera session, town council appointed the following public-at-large members to town committees: Cochrane Library Board: Jeff Covey. Cochrane Parks & Rec Committee (new): Doug Marter, Brooke Sabourin, Julia Sharpe, James Darby, Jacques Sauve, Kelli Willisko, Lloyd Manning and Dawn Thome. Coun. Tara McFadden was appointed as the council representative. Coun. Susan Flowers was appointed as the council representative on the Tri-Site Concept Plans Advisory Group. This group will begin to explore future uses for the entire Fifth Ave Site, including the adjacent Lions Rodeo grounds, as well as the Esso Bulk Station and the site adjacent to the library. These areas will remain public service lands with future possibilities including an arts/cultural hub, seniors/youth centre and spaces for growing community groups including the Lions and Boys and Girls Club.
