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Catching up with the mayor: Commuter Rail, Tri-Sites and the Cochrane Vision

Mayor Jeff Genung has made it clear that the Town of Cochrane is in support of the Commuter Rail project that is currently being reviewed by the province.
Jeff-Genung_

Mayor Jeff Genung has made it clear that the Town of Cochrane is in support of the Commuter Rail project that is currently being reviewed by the province.

The mass transit project with an $800M price tag is a private-public sector partnership, spearheaded by longtime Banff residents Jan and Adam Waterous and looks to bring back passenger rail, linking Calgary (including the airport) to Banff and all the communities in between – including stops in both Cochrane and Morley.

Under the umbrella of their holdings company, Liricon Capital, the couple purchased the multi-decade lease of the Banff train station from CP Rail around four years ago, as well as the 32 acres of land surrounding the train station with plans to create intercept parking that would be free parking for those taking transit.

"We did that because we had a dream, a vision, of creating an eco-transit hub," explained Jan, who decided along with her husband to become catalysts of change in how their beloved hometown of 22 years will achieve sustainability and maintain the pristine elements of the national park as 4.2 million tourists and counting filter through the region each year.

Last year, the couple also purchase Norquay ski hill – with plans to build aerial transit from the hill to the Banff train station.

Genung, who Jan referred to as "a very forward-thinking mayor" said he is on board to help out in any capacity possible, as he feels the concept will revolutionize tourism and commuter traffic through the corridor.

"I want to ensure that in Cochrane we do what we can to help facilitate and help make this a reality," said Genung, who feels Cochrane could help liaise with the Stoney-Nakoda First Nation in Morley.

The Commuter Rail project was unveiled earlier this year as the result of a mass transit feasibility study that Cochrane was included in.

According to Jan, passenger rail services ceased in the corridor in 1990, as CP Rail is not in the business of passenger rail.

She said they are "hopeful that there will be news in the near term" but could not confirm any timelines at present, only that the project is being reviewed by the province and stakeholder consultations are ongoing.

Tri-Sites

As the town moves forward with public transit later this year, the Tri-Site concept plan will begin with the build of the transit hub at the Esso Bulk Station site (across from the Cochrane Public Library).

The Tri-Site plan was revealed last fall and includes the plans to develop the lands where the transit hub is being built, the library across the street and the rodeo grounds site along Fifth Ave. The three sites will incorporate most elements of an arts/community centre, expanded library, seniors centre and housing, possibly affordable housing, the rodeo grounds, expanded Boys and Girls Club and other community groups who are considered stakeholders.

"I just think we are more apt to get traction and have these groups move forward by having them work together," said Genung, who along with Coun. Susan Flowers, met recently with such groups as the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area, Seniors on the Bow, Cochrane Arts and the Lions Club to get the groups to begin working together to shape up plans and ensure that all stakeholders are represented.

Cochrane Vision

Genung said he has been receiving "overwhelmingly postive feedback" on council's recent initiative to develop a 'Cochrane Vision' that would nail down how the town will develop, what residents want to see maintained and how the town will address the growth on its borders in adjacent Rocky View County.

At a recent Calgary Metropolitan Regional Board meeting, Genung was onside to defeat a motion put forward by the county to extend the timeline given to the region to develop a growth plan by the end of 2020. 

"I think it sends the wrong message. I think what we need to do what we can to form a regional relationship," said Genung, who acknowledged the county's concerned about the need to address water licensing issues in the near future as development in and around Cochrane looms – but feels the key is to approaching all these matters from a regional perspective that will carry more weight with the province.

 

 

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