The Franciscan Friars held public engagement sessions at the Cochrane RancheHouse on April 13, to assess land holdings and look to members of the community for input on what the group's future holds.
More than 150 people turned up to the two afternoon sessions to listen, learn and share their concerns and opinions of what the future should entail on the friars' lands that span throughout town and adjacent Rocky View County.
On the heels of celebrating 70 years in Cochrane and the unification of the east and west Franciscan chapters, the Catholic faith-based fraternity are taking stock of their future, including land holdings, and how they will continue their spiritual journey of helping others in the face of dwindling numbers – with 555 active friars across the country in 1949 and only 55 today.
Mark Love, adviser to the friars, confirmed that what is up for discussion at present is some 160 acres within the town's boundaries (the balance of their 450 acres of land holdings in this area are located in adjacent Rocky View County). These lands are along Highway 1A and surrounding the communities of Cochrane Heights and Sunterra.
"All that this work is doing is finding out the opportunities for this land," said Love, adding that the "thriving retreat centre and spiritual ministry" of the Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre suggests that the "break-even" facility is not at stake, although that may not be the case for some of the smaller friar sites across the country (11 in total, including one in Edmonton).
"The friars want to do the right thing," reiterated Love, highlighting that the humble order has always been motivated by charity and community over financial gain and that no matter what the outcome is through engagements over the coming months – the ultimate decision of what to do with all the land holdings and plans for the future will be determined by the 55 active friars collectively.
With B & A planning taking the lead on land studies and what will be a series of public and stakeholder consultations in the months to come, drone footage and land surveys to understand the various topographical, environmental and biological elements of the land that is viewed as "iconic to Cochrane."
Community concerns shared
Brenda Samborski of Cochrane Heights thanked the Franciscans for their engagement efforts, sharing her concerns over her slumping hill behind her house and falling fence – lands that border the Francisans' and are located on the Town of Cochrane lands.
"It's been an issue for five years now and it's becoming worse and worse," said Samborski, who is hopeful for resolve in the near future for her family and a handful of neighbours also impacted by the slumping hill.
Abigail Garratt and her husband Shane Trowbridge, Cochrane Heights residents, also attended the 1 p.m. session at the RancheHouse, expressing concerns such as access and fire concerns resulting from grasses they say aren't properly maintained by the town.
"It's definitely under-maintained," said Garratt, who has suggested bringing in goats to naturally mow down some of the grasses. "All of that land has dead grass on it ... to me, it's bad stewardship."
The couple is also concerned about parking challenges along Fourth Avenue, with the busyness of the tri-school site and the potential for future boosted tourism, path connectivity or trail use in the lands behind their home.
Jody Bremner, an environmental biologist and Cochrane Heights resident, is concerned about the preservation of the biodiversity on the lands, including controlling invasive species, enhancing natural grasslands and encouraging general town resident stewardship to protect and enhance the lands.
"These lands are essential to our quality of life," said Bremner, who often takes her kids out to pick up garbage on the lands. She is hopeful that a guiding vision will come out of the undertaking by the friars and people won't get hung up on the possibility of potential development.
Other concerns such as trail use and abuse, trespassing, wildlife encroachment, general preservation of the lands that are integral to Cochrane's pristine aesthetic and a sentiment of gratitude toward the friars for the undertaking were also observed in the room.
Anyone interested to learn more is encouraged to reach out to Tamille Beynon, B & A communications and engagement advisor on the project at [email protected] or 403-692-5234.
