With keeping that 2016 will inevitably be a year of economic downturn in mind, the Eagle recently sat down with Town of Cochrane’s senior manger of development services, Drew Hyndman, and manager of planning and engineering, Jared Kassel, to give you a brief reminder of some of the major projects happening in the Cochrane area over the next few years. Some of these projects are still in the planning phases, already under construction, set to start construction or are soon to be completed.
Cochrane Town Council approved the neighbourhood plan presented by the developer in October 2015.
Council requested additional “work” regarding the transportation network in the south part of Cochrane to occur before land use is considered for this project. This work includes reviewing the necessary intersection upgrades at Highway 22 and James Walker Trail, acquisitioning of land and its right-of-way for the extension of James Walker Trail, and financing the bridge to be built in Riversong that will connect to Griffin Road.
A neighbourhood plan has been submitted by the developer for consideration by Cochrane town council. An open-house to gather feedback on this project will be held on Jan. 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
A neighbourhood plan to develop north off of River Heights Drive has been submitted by the developer for consideration by Cochrane town council.
A neighbourhood plan to develop within the east portion of the Riversong community has been submitted by the developer for consideration by Cochrane town council.
The initial framework for the development of the Quarry District was completed in 2011. The developer has expressed desire to move forward with development of the last unused section of this district.
The Town of Cochrane has the opportunity to lease a portion of this land for a future arts centre. The developer submitted a proposal for this land development to Cochrane town council on Dec. 14 for consideration which was rejected.
Since then, the developer has looked at amendments to make the proposal more consistent with the original vision and to gain the council’s support.
It is anticipated a new proposal will be submitted to the Cochrane town council by the developer in the spring.
A neighbourhood plan for development within Heritage Hills was submitted by the developer to Cochrane town council in November 2015.
Upon review, the council requested more information about the slopes policy from the Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw. In response to that request, a strategic discussion of the slopes policy will take place at the town council meeting on Jan. 25.
Council also requested further information about this neighbourhood plan with respect to the Highway 22 and Highway 1A intersection. It is anticipated that this neighbourhood plan will return to town council in early February for consideration.
Construction of a new building to hold parks equipment at the Tim Bannister Memorial Outdoor Rink started in September 2015. The project is expected to be completed in spring of 2016.
The exterior of the building will feature Cochrane’s contribution to the Canada 150 Mosaic Mural project.
An unveiling ceremony for the mural is tentatively set for Canada Day 2016.
A new aquatic & multi-sport centre is under construction beside the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre. Construction for this project started in March of 2015.
It will feature five separate pools, two waterslides, a curling facility, a work-out space, and space for commercial retail units. The construction is projected to be completed by March 2017.
Live webcams filming the construction are accessible off the Town of Cochrane’s website at cochrane.ca under the Construction Updates page.
Griffin Road will be realigned towards the new aquatics and multi-sport facility under construction.
It will also be extended towards the area where the proposed bridge in Riversong will eventually connect. This is projected to be completed by March 2017, in line with the opening of the aquatics and multi-sport centre currently under construction.
The Town of Cochrane is undergoing the process to redevelop and then sell the “old town hall” site, five lots totalling 2.53 acres on 2nd St. and 2nd Ave.
The town is currently in a request for proposal process with a set of interested parties. It is anticipated that the town will select the top proposals for the town council to review in the first half of 2016.
The site falls under new zoning for the Downtown Heritage District that was recently approved by town council. Council will have final say on who can purchase the land and what they will build on it in order to ensure it is architecturally in-line with Cochrane’s heritage.
It will then be up to the chosen developer to determine when construction will start.
Construction of RancheView School in Sunset Ridge started May 2015. The kindergarten-Grade 8 school started accepting advanced registrations on Jan. 11.
Students who live within the boundaries of RancheView School will be automatically enrolled. The school will be able to accommodate around 800 students.
RancheView School will be opening September 2016.
A new kindergarten to Grade 8 school has been approved for development within Fireside by Cochrane town council. The school will be able to accommodate around 800 students.
The school is currently under construction and is anticipated to open in 2017.
