I attended the recent all-candidates forum held at the Frank Willis Hall last week. I found the session informative, although the process used was a bit tedious.
Several candidates were very clear that they would not be supporting any budget monies for getting to work on an arts and cultural centre. Their logic was that we have some significant infrastructure costs ahead of us, infrastructure that supports the immediate needs of a lot of people in Cochrane. I understand that and agree with their position at this time. Nevertheless, there are some things that can be done in the next four years relative to an arts and culture centre and I think the new town council would be well advised to pay attention to these. Two key things that can be done are: A) Set aside the required land to build such a centre. I know it is difficult to determine how much land is required without having some design done, but it is possible. What’s more, it should be done in a legal way so that future needs put forth by town administration or influencing by future councils cannot undo such a commitment. This land should be town owned and some legally based restrictions should be provided so the designated land cannot be sold by the town for further development of industrial, commercial or residential use. B) Develop a concept document that will be approved by council. Such conceptual documents can be prepared at very little cost, if the right people are involved. I imagine there are many different factions that want a part of such a facility. A concept document will get these on the table and discussed. There is no doubt that some conflict will arise, but it is better to bring these to the surface before expensive consulting and design teams are hired for the architectural and engineering design. At the forum, the focus for this subject seemed to be the Seniors On The Bow. This is only one of the groups of citizens that are interested in an arts and culture centre. The concept document needs to take all the potential users into account. I know there have been citizen-based groups that have worked on planning for an arts and cultural centre in the past. The town councils over the past eight years have listened, paid lip service and basically done nothing. There have been other priorities for the town and I understand that. However, to continue to do nothing in the immediate future will, I believe, be considered poor town planning by the future citizens of this wonderful town.
Jack Blair
