Council also approved the Tri-Site implementation plan on Monday night, beginning with the transit hub and innovation centre on the Esso Bulk Station site (across from the library).
Cochrane has directed administration to return with costing and a business plan to develop the transit hub and innovation centre to incubate tech start ups and businesses, as well as town satellite offices. This phase of the project is estimated to cost $7 Million, including $4.5 M in GreenTRIP transit grant dollars with a deadline to be spent and an additional $2.5 M in borrowed funds to be recovered through tenant lease payments.
At full built out, the project could included commerical offices, an expanded library, performing arts centre/maker space.
The Fifth Ave site is also included in the plans, with expanded youth club and Lions Rodeo ground facilties, as well as the build of a seniors centre and a central park, all to be phased in, with costing in the tens of millions.
Administration was careful to stress that the baseball diamonds would not be displaced, and that this would work in conjunction with the build of the Horse Creek Sports Park (above).
The town is in talks with the Rocky View Foundation about the build of an affordable seniors complex on the Fifth Ave site – likely the first project to kick off the redevelopment there; this building would be four stories and 80,000 sq/ft and the town would provide a long-term lease to the foundation, who would cover the costs.
“The community has to be on board with this,” said Genung. “This is a roadmap to achieve our outcomes.”
Estimated timeline/costs for future phases:
Maker Space: timeline unknown, estimated cost $7-$8 M.
Library and Performing Arts Space: timeline unknown, estimated cost $30-$35 M.
Rodeo Grounds and Open Space project: timeline unkown, estimated cost $10-$25 M.
Senior Housing Project: estimated timeline 2020-2024. Working with Rocky View Foundation to secure $20 M estimated costs (to be paid through grants, fundraising and not taxes).
Youth, Seniors and Events Centre projects unknown.
Mixed Housing project unknown.
