I absolutely love this time of year. Our days are warmer and everyone is out enjoying everything Cochrane has to offer. And talk about a lot of offerings, our Farmers’ Market has started up again every Saturday and new this year is the addition of a Thursday afternoon/evening market on Main Street once a month.
Our Recreation, Culture and the Arts Department is busy organizing opportunities for family fun events. This past Saturday was its first Kids Can Catch event at Mitford Pond. Hundreds of kids were given the opportunity to go fishing, many for the first time, and the smiles on their faces when they caught a fish – priceless. There will be many more opportunities to share community spirit this summer, the next one being Canada Day with lots planned.
The Arts and Culture Foundation Cochrane is also busy with events, including the Artisans’ Market happening every Sunday in our downtown. Please be sure to get out and enjoy the arts and our downtown business offerings.
When I meet people new to our community, I ask them what it is that made them choose to live in Cochrane over other communities. Overwhelmingly, the answer is they love the opportunities for their family to engage in activities.
We have a fantastic pathway system, great parks (our newest being the Riverfront Park), beautiful scenery and amazing facilities for a community of our size. We are blessed with so many volunteers that give of their time to help organize events or coach sports therein keeping our community alive and well. This truly is a great place to call home.
Still to come is our new Aquatic and Curling/Multi-Sport facility. I am so proud and thankful to be a part of this current council, which has made this a priority. Council shares my passion and commitment to provide these facilities and opportunities for all of us to live an active healthy lifestyle. We are on track to have this facility opened on schedule in March of next year.
Enjoy your summer!
Mayor Ivan Brooker
P.S. Yes, we still have traffic issues. Council continues to work on the road solutions we know we need. We do have an agreed-upon solution for the Highway 1A and 22 intersection, this project is on the province’s “sunshine list” and it is currently tendering the design drawings. With this work completed this year, we will be positioned well for next year’s provincial budget at which time we hope to have this as a selected project. As well, the roadwork on Griffin Road to Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre will be starting this year. Work is advancing on the bridge design and we are working hard to get the road alignment agreed to on the south side of the bridge to tie in River Heights Drive and eventually James Walker Trail.
