Rocky View County (RVC) approved the Town of Cochrane’s proposal to purchase Rocky View School lands last Tuesday.
At the recent RVC council meeting, councillors approved the town’s request to purchase 128-acres of land east of Horse Creek Road, giving Cochrane the ability to purchase the land.
“It was a great opportunity, we know we have a need in the community for additional recreational space,” Ivan Brooker, Cochrane mayor explained.
“Now the possibility is on the table.”
The land is currently owned by Rocky View Schools (RVS) and Cochrane was required to get permission from RVC because one municipality cannot purchase land in another municipality without permission.
While the sale is still in negotiations, Rocky View Schools requested the Town of Cochrane provide utility services to the school, and asked the town to purchase land surplus to the school’s needs.
The town identified a number of public service opportunities, and recreational needs that would be complementary to the school such as a potential soccer field, baseball diamond or even the future agricultural/rodeo grounds.
“With the possibility on the table, the ag society will have conversations with the Lions Club, and the town council still needs to have this conversation as well because we couldn’t officially make decision until we knew we could make the purchase,” Brooker said.
Now the Town of Cochrane is in negotiations with the school board for the purchase of a portion of the quarter section and both municipalities will be discussing the potential sale over the next couple of months with the matter to come before Cochrane council in September.
