Community residents will have a chance to voice their thoughts on the future of Cochrane’s social infrastructure next week, as the town will host an ideas session at the Cochrane Legion Sept. 12 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the town’s Tri-Site project. “Right now, we’re in the public engagement phase, hearing from all parties and all organizations,” explained public-at-large advisory group member Jackie Shier – who is an active community volunteer and executive director of Helping Hands. Today is the third day for delegations – where service clubs, youth, senior, arts and culture groups have presented to the group on their respective needs and what they would like to see on the three public use sites located at the current rodeo grounds and park, the lands adjacent to the library and the Esso Bulk Station. “The tri-sites are so important to our downtown core,” said council appointee and chair, Coun. Susan Flowers. “Hopefully Cochrane brings in transit so we don’t have to use much of it for parking lots.” Flowers said that the committee will make recommendations to council in November as to what the best uses for the lands are. The lands will remain public service and Shier said she is grateful for the public engagement work to clear up any misconceptions that any of the lands are going to be sold off for development – which is not the case. To date, Shier said she has personally heard overwhelming sentiment expressing a desire to see the Lions Club rodeo grounds remain where they are. There has also been interest expressed in a senior centre on the lands. So far, the advisory group has heard from around 450 people. “There’s talk of a hub that people would like to see,” said Shier. “We don’t get an opportunity to look after land like that often,” said Flowers, who campaigned last fall on a strong mandate to boost social infrastructure, nail down transit solutions and improve life for seniors. “We are still gathering ideas and hope to hear from lots of residents on Sept. 12 at the Legion, where we will share what we have heard so far.” Visit letstalkcochrane.ca to learn more.
