The Town of Cochrane has found the right company to design and manage the construction of Riverfront Park.
Calgary company Ground3 has been studying and mapping out what would work best for the area that runs along the Bow River. Jonathan Sagi, a landscape architect with Ground3 presented his company’s proposal to Cochrane council on April 22, highlighting several upgrades they intend on starting this fall.
Some of those upgrades include the improvement of pathways (paving some with asphalt and using limestone instead of shale on others); creating new pathways; raising some pathways to alleviate flooding; improving the off-leash area to a multi-use green space; improving the parking area; and implementing fire-pits, picnic tables and a play area for recreational day-use.
One feature that was part of the town’s original plan that will not come to fruition is the boat launch.
Cochrane senior manager of community services Suzanne Gaida said the land the launch was to be constructed on is owned by Alberta Transportation, and the town does not want to invest a lot of work on land not owned by the municipality.
Under the town’s agreement with the province, the site must remain accessible to the water.
The first phase of the plan is expected to cost approximately $1.4 million. Construction will start on the high parts of Riverfront Park and focus on areas to the east of the Highway 22 bridge.
Gaida said the town will strive to protect waterways, birds, plants and fish during construction.
“We want to make sure we’re not working in those areas until we have permission,” said Gaida.
Gaida also said open spaces for gatherings was a focus of the plan.
“It’s what we heard in the Open Spaces Master Plan open houses,” she said. “Gathering places.”
Gaida said the off-leash area, though it will eventually be utilized for green space, will not be closed as an off-leash area until an alternative spot is found, and pet owners should not be concerned that they will lose the area. Another off-lease site is expected to be pinpointed in the next three years.
Bow River’s Edge Campground is looking to expand to accommodate more guests.
The campground’s past chairman and current Rotary Club member Scott Grattidge presented the plan to council, saying with the high demand and growing size of recreational vehicles, the time was right for expansion.
The land is owned by Rocky View County (RVC), and the decision to expand ultimately lies with it. RVC has approved three acres, and will grant another three once the space in the nearby gravel pit is cleared.
Grattidge said they will use the first three acres for additional sites with deep-water services.
The final three acres will be used for green space.
“The town is in very good financial condition,” said Cochrane’s manager of financial services Erin Braaten.
PriceWaterHouse Coopers has completed the town’s audit, and with $35.9 million in cash/investments and no new debt incurred for 2012, council was pleased.
