Council is moving ahead with public engagement and a study to see how Cochranites would like to see their public spaces take shape in the years to come.
The tri-site concept plan will look at the future development of the Fifth Avenue Site (former pool and curling club), the Esso Bulk Station site and the one-acre site adjacent to the library.
A difference of opinion resulted in a 4-2 decision by council on April 9 to opt for a council representative on the community-led advisory committee of nine, as pushed forward by Coun. Susan Flowers in opposition to administration’s recommendation.
Couns. Alex Reed and Pat Wilson voted in opposition, expressing concern over the $140,000 budget-approved price tag to study and potentially devise a plan of what will come of the three sites.
“It would be great to have an advisory committee that wasn’t influenced by council,” said Wilson, adding that he hopes to see value out of the $140,000 investment.
Mayor Jeff Genung did not feel it was necessary to have council representation on the advisory committee, but opted for the middle ground of one councillor rather than Flowers’ initial suggestion for two councillors and himself.
“Personally, I think this is one of the most important things we are mandated to accomplish … at the end of the day, it’s so important that we get this thing right,” said Mayor Jeff Genung, emphasizing that groups such as the Lions Club need direction ahead of the 2019 lease renewal date of plans for the rodeo grounds.
Council will be given frequent updates on the public engagement work to be undertaken by consultants from Urban Systems, with plans to reveal a potential concept plan by this fall for council’s consideration.
Other key groups looking for more space include Seniors on the Bow (SOTB), the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area and the Cochrane Public Library – but the potential list of community groups who would vie for central downtown space could be quite lengthy.
Throughout the fall election, weighty community topics such as moving SOTB out of their Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre location into a central location and whether or not the Lions Rodeo should remain at the Fifth Avenue site were topical at forums.
Genung and the majority of council have expressed a desire to work with the Lions Club and while public engagement will reveal the final say, a preference has been made clear to keep the Lions at its current site – noting the unique attributes it gives Cochrane to keep a rodeo at the heart of its downtown.
Preliminary discussions have marked the Fifth Avenue site as ideal for a future arts/cultural hub, seniors/youth centre and expanded Lions Rodeo facilities.
Public engagement opportunities on the tri-site project will soon become available at letstalkcochrane.ca. Those interested in joining the committee can apply at cochrane.ca/committees.
