COCHRANE— A presentation to Cochrane council Monday (Nov. 23) presented a new and innovative way to potentially boost tourism and the local economy,
Executive director of Cochrane Tourism Jo-Anne Oucharek and Surf Anywhere president Neil Egsgard spoke at the regular council meeting discussing the feasibility of developing a river wave park on the Bow River.
Establishing a river wave park has been the number one priority for the Cochrane Tourism Association, Oucharek said, because it can build on an existing asset to create a one-of-a-kind tourist destination.
"We know that capitalizing on the river could bring economic impact to Cochrane through visitation, business development and the visitor economy," Oucharek said.
A feasibility study was conducted to understand the economic, community and cultural impact of creating a river wave park in Cochrane.
A location by River Avenue was deemed the best area to create a park. The area was chosen because the eroding river banks can be restored and the river naturally splits in two. The dog park in the area would not be affected.
The total cost of the project with contingency is estimated to be about $9.9 million.
Egsgard noted the biggest reason communities are looking at projects of this nature are the proven economic impacts they have. Globally wave tourism is valued at around $50 billion each year.
"A good wave water parks shows an economic impact of over a million dollars a year," Egsgard said. "You'll get a line up out there in the middle of winter because people love the feeling of the sport. They love riding waves and they love surfing."
Egsgard said the economic impact of the park comes down to three main factors— The water trail allowing people to float through a section of Town leading to the river wave park, the park itself and the draw of people to the facility and surrounding area.
The feasibility study projected the park would generate about $1,654,000 each year based on 30 per cent capacity fully repaying the investment in around three to seven years. If the proposed park reached 100 per cent capacity it would potentially generate $5,515,000 a year. Egsgard said they estimate around 26,500 tourists would visit the resource each year spending around two hours each on the waves. These calculations were based on having two active 10-metre waves active from March to November.
Egsgard noted these numbers do not include the potential additional spending from water trail users, spectators, events, new businesses and high-income earners coming to or moving to Cochrane.
"It has a substantial economic impact," he said. "It creates a unique and new tourism opportunity that provides some diversification for our economy and draws people into Alberta."
Egsgard added there are no competing waves in the area, aside from a small wave park in Kananaskis and parks in Oregon and Idaho.
"It is a new opportunity for us to create a really high-quality recreational resource that is going to draw people to both use it and spectate," Egsgard said. "Alberta is not known as a surfing destination, but that can change."
Egsgard added the project has received support from MLA Peter Guthrie and MP Blake Richards.
Now that the feasibility study has been completed the project is focussed on building political, public and organizational support, paired with locating funding support and partners.
While the project is in the early stages, Mayor Jeff Genung praised the concept and said it has merit and the potential for long term positive economic impacts in Cochrane.
“They’re a very passionate group and they’re driven. They’ve done a lot of homework on this,” Genung said. ”I could see this being a really good fit for our community.”
He described the park as an intriguing idea and the focus is now on building community knowledge and feedback on the project.
“Community support is very important. It does affect some nearby residents, Riviera and River View,” Genung said. “I’m sure everybody is going to have a say on what they think should happen with the river. Everyone here is I know very passionate about the river.”
Councillor Marni Fedeyko praised the project and the positive impact it could potentially have on the community. She noted it could serve as a way to help people safely and legally access the river.
"I know there are a lot of residents from the Jumping Pound Creek area that have noticed, especially this year with COVID, an influx of people going out and splashing in the creek bed and not being very happy because obviously it's not a designated area for this to happen," Fedeyko said. "I kind of see this as a win for that as well. Because it's bringing people into the correct area and utilizing it for the right purpose."
Coun. Tara McFadden noted that neighbouring communities need to be consulted if the project moves forward because of the potential impacts it could have on the community.
"The challenge for this from what I see is on the community support," McFadden said. "Adding 16,000 excited visitors and making it ... An annual and major festival site it completely changes the character."
Oucharek noted they have reached out to all community associations in Cochrane but have yet to receive any replies.
The project requires further consultation with the public, stakeholders and government officials before returning to council to make a decision on moving forward. After this step, an engineering pre-feasibility report and conceptual layout at an estimated cost of $42,000 would take place, followed by a preliminary engineering study costing about $571,000.
The information was accepted by council with further discussion and analysis anticipated in the future.
