As the Tri-Site advisory committee works its way through public engagement sessions, building a case to present to council later this fall on what townspeople want to see set up at public use sites in central Cochrane, one pressing issue is coming to the forefront: should the rodeo grounds stay or should they go? It's a sensitive issue, given that the land was gifted to the Lions Club in the 1960s, later turned over to the town as per constitutional rules that Lions clubs don't own property, and then leased back to the club for the purpose of remaining a rodeo ground – a unique aesthetic for Cochrane that ties into the town's western heritage. The club gave the areas in the upper bench back to the town for the pool and youth club. On the other hand, some feel that the rodeo grounds have outgrown its existing site - with parking constraints for horse trailers and spectators clogging up the downtown core, leaving a sentiment that maybe the signature Lions Rodeo and other rodeo events held throughout the season would be better accommodated at a larger site on the outskirts of town. Glen McGlaughlin and Stu Bradley have stayed engaged with the topic over the years, both tipping their hats to the Lions Club for their "tireless, hard work and successes," although both feel the central rodeo grounds site could be better used for other purposes for a greater public good. "Maybe it's a pipe dreaming, but we've got to think of the bigger picture than the status quo," said McGlaughlin , as 20-year Cochrane resident with a background in the agricultural industry. "There is nothing restricting our ability to relocate the rodeo grounds and thereby it makes sense to look at alternative uses on a year-round basis such as more affordable senior housing." Carol Borschneck is the CAO of the Rocky View Foundation – the seniors housing foundation that manages Cochrane's affordable seniors housing – Evergreen Manor and the assisted living facility, Big Hill Lodge. The foundation recently presented to the advisory committee, appealing to the need for a bigger site for a new Big Hill Lodge. "This location in the heart of the community would be ideal for our seniors as it is within walking distance to many services and businesses, and also in close proximity to William Camden Park. Access to the pathway system and greenspace are definite positive features that would enhance life for lodge residents," said Borscheck, adding that the foundation is "hopeful the committee will support a bid for them to have a portion of the site." Bradley added that he doesn't think the "one event, one weekend, one deal," mentality is grounds to keep the rodeo grounds on its current site and would like to see synergies found on a "bigger, better site" for the Lions with ample parking and room to expand. He would like to see forward-thinking come out of the Tri-Sites project and sees a real need for Cochrane to build a western heritage/conference/trade show centre to add to the town's commercial tax base. Coun. Susan Flowers, chair of the advisory committee, said that they are seeing a great deal of passion through the public engagement work with most people noting that moving forward, the site needs to be multi-use to accommodate different user groups. Flowers said around 200 people showed up to the public engagement sessions held at the Legion on Sept. 13. Visit letstalkcochrane.ca to learn more about the Tri-Site Concept Plan Project. Lions Club has big plans The Lions Club, who were one of the user groups who presented to the advisory committee last month, maintain that they want to be front and centre for the revitalization of the rodeo grounds. "The Lions Club wants to keep the rodeo grounds in downtown Cochrane – it adds to the western heritage theme of the town," said Matt Zoethout, Lions Event Centre chair. "If we relocate the Cochrane Lions Rodeo ... it will die a natural death," he said, confirming the Lions' belief that to relocate the rodeo would destroy it. The annual rodeo (not including the other rodeo events throughout the summer) sees an estimated 10,000 to 13,000 people come through the gates. Zoethout explained that the Lions are looking to work with other user groups in town and build a multi-use site on the upper bench (site of the former town pool) that could encompass Seniors on the Bow, an expanded Boys and Girls Club for youth and an arts centre. The lower bench (rodeo grounds) could become home to an arena, amphitheater and green space - possibly with considerations to pare back ball diamonds or relocate to other areas in town. "We are actively looking for and are open to other suggestions," he said, adding that the Lions recognize the need to better utilize the grounds during the off-season. The service club said that the growing popularity and bookings of the Lions Event Centre (former curling rink) are evidence the town needs a central hub. Bradley and McGlaughlin both referenced possible synergies between the Lions Club and the Ag Society - whose future is up in the air until Rocky View County determines what the future of the public service lands are, where the Ag Society grounds sits. They also brought up the possibility of the rodeo being relocated to the lands north of Heritage Hills that the town has annexed from Rocky View County. Around 30 of the 160 acres is flagged for a future high school site and the town will be looking at the remaining site for recreational uses. The Rodeo Grounds' lease expires next year. To connect with the Lions Club, visit cochranerodeo.com.
