Council gave the green light for administration to further explore the current Big Hill Leisure Pool site for a future community cultural hub (arts centre).
Members of council directed administration to conduct careful research to determine which groups would be the best fit for the proposal.
The unfunded capital project is not in the 10-year financial plan, although administration is recommending that council direct $110,000 from the 2017 MSI funding to conduct a feasibility study.
“I have a lot of concern with what this is going to look like,” said Coun. Jeff Toews, expressing his preference for the arts and culture centre that came out of the 2010 feasibility study; visit artscochrane.ca for details.
Coun. Mary Lou Eckmeier also expressed concern over what she felt was a possible “mishmash of players” and would like to get a better picture for what the vision for the hub will be.
Suzanne Gaida, senior manager of community services, said a feasibility study would clarify those concerns.
“We want to make sure it’s not just a night spot, that it’s a busy community hub all day and at night,” she explained, adding that there has been some concern expressed by the community as to what the future of that site will be following the move to the new aquatic/curling club facility next summer.
Gaida said there are many considerations should council approve a feasibility study for next year, including community growth and the increase in arts and culture-centric businesses in town.
The town will also look to work with the Cochrane Lions on whether the Lions Rodeo grounds will move to another location.
Access and limited parking have been identified as possible site constraints, but stakeholder groups have identified overall support to move forward with the idea.
