COCHRANE— Uniting the north and south sides of Cochrane with a second crossing point, the Jack Tennant bridge officially opened to the public on Thursday (Oct. 15) with speeches from public officials, a light show and fireworks.
“Cochranites love coming together in the spirit of celebration, and tonight is another one of the celebrations to come together," said Mayor Jeff Genung.
The Town of Cochrane has heard “countless” times about the need for traffic infrastructure improvements in the community— The Jack Tennant bridge will serve as an integral piece in the “puzzle," Genung said. He added the bridge doubles the capacity for traffic across the Bow River.
The infrastructure project officially began construction with a sod-turning two years ago, Genung said, and the Town is proud to say they were able to deliver the bridge on time and budget. He added the bridge will be accessible to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians for many years to come
The infrastructure project took countless hours to make into a reality with the idea to create the connection dating back to 2002. At the time a bridge committee was struck to explore the need for the project and put a funding strategy in place.
“I can attest first hand having been a part of this project since 2002— The extreme amount of time and energy it takes to cross a river,” Genung said. “It will help take the pressure off provincial roadways, while providing a crucial secondary access for not only resident but emergency vehicles as well.”
The $54 million project is the largest infrastructure to date accomplished by the Town and was funded through off-site levies and provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative grants.
“No tax dollars were used to build this important connection,” Genung said. “This significant investment demonstrates the Town’s commitment to investing in our community, spurring economic development and positioning the Town for continued prosperity.”
It took about 67,000 hours of labour to place 500,000 kilograms of steel plate girders, 250,000 kilograms of rebar, 1,750 cubic meters of concrete to create a bridge sitting 14 metres over top the Bow Rivers the highest point.
The name of the bridge was chosen through a three-step public engagement process, Genung said, and residents overwhelmingly supported naming the bridge after Tennant.
“The residents of Cochrane chose Jack Tennant’s name and that name will live forever on this bridge,” Genung said.
Tennant was a long-time Cochrane resident and philanthropist who founded The Cochrane Eagle. He died in 2018, but his legacy continues to thrive.
“Of all the things that Jack achieved in his life, he was possibly best known for his ability to build connections between communities and cultures— Hence the bridge. I think it’s just so fitting,” Genung said. “His companions stretched beyond Cochrane to the neighbouring Stoney Nakoda Nation. The relationships and friendships built with the Stoney people was so significant they gave him an honorary name— Gentle Buffalo.”
The ceremony began with a tribute to Tennant featuring a performance from the Cochrane Pipe Band playing the song "Jack’s Welcome Home" followed by a blessing from Stoney Naked elder Irene Baptiste. “It’s no secret that Jack Tennant loved bagpipes, I believe this was truly fitting and touching way to welcome home Jack,” Genung said.
The bridge will boast a bronze plaque, created Studio West Bronze Foundry & Art Gallery, on each side of the bridge with Jack Tennant's name.
During the ceremony, Tennant's eldest son Alan Tennant spoke to the legacy of his father and the positive impact he had on those around him.
Alan said his dad would be honoured to have the bridge named after him, but, would have made jokes about the experience including asking if a toll bridge could be incorporated into the project.
“We know darn well dad definitely would have looked for the revenue angle,” Alan said with a laugh.
Tennant would be eager to see people using the bridge and would have loved the location that boasts beautiful vistas while respecting the impacts of nature, he said.
Alan added his father would have appreciated people would drive by the Humane Society when using the bridge and see volunteers out walking dogs and that the road would take drivers by the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.
“Dad loved Cochrane and he often talked of how he fell in love with the place the very first time he drove down that hill on the 1A,” Alan said. “He would be honoured to have this bridge, in this part of town that he loved so much named after him.”
Tennant was a storyteller who relished sharing tales of the underdog or those who suffered injustice, to good news happening in Cochrane, he said.
The creation of the bridge would have been a story Tennant would have liked to share, he said.
Alan said his father would say, “Connecting one side to another is a good thing because it connects rather than divides and only good can come from such a thing.”
Alberta Minister of Transportation Ric McIver was on hand for the opening and praised Tennant for the impact he had on the Cochrane community.
“Jack of course was one of those larger than life figures known far and wide well beyond Cochrane,” McIver said. “He called it as he saw and was never afraid to dish it out when necessary— Especially to elected people.”
Tennant’s passion was keeping the heartbeat of local communities alive, he said, and he knew the importance of informing people of what was happening locally while celebrating important stories in his community.
McIver said it is fitting to have a bridge named after a man whose life was committed to creating connections between communities and neighbours.
“It’s a fitting tribute to a man who loved life, loved newspapers and loved the people around him."
McIver added the provincial government was proud to support the infrastructure project through the Municipal Sustainability Initiative.
Minister of Municipal Affairs Tracy Allard congratulated the Town on completing the project and added she was inspired learning about Jack Tennant, although she never had the opportunity to meet him.
“The founder of The Cochrane Eagle, columnist, philanthropist, photographer and grandfather— He was clearly legendary,” Allard said.
She noted the Alberta government played a role in the project providing more than $3 million in Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding to complete the bridge.
MLA Peter Guthrie said he has been working closely with Cochranite to advocate for the needs of the community.
Guthrie moved to the community 11 years ago when there were 15,000, he said. Now the town has more than 30,000 residents who call Cochrane home.
Guthrie noted traffic has been the top concern in that time and the governments are working to help alleviate the pain felt by Cochranites when out on the road.
“It’s the number one issue that I hear about,” Guthrie said.
The evening was centred on the idea of connection, a fitting word to describe Tennant, Guthrie said.
Tennant sat with him on several occasions sharing advice and wisdom.
“It’s so fitting that going forward we are going to be remembering him every day going over this bridge,” Guthrie said.
