SEPTEMBER
RAINBOW CROSSWALK MAY BE COMING TO COCHRANE
Two local community groups teamed up at council to request the town install a rainbow crosswalk in Historic Downtown. The crossing, which would cross First Street West at the intersection with Second Avenue – next to Horse Creek Candy – is a variation of the rainbow crosswalks that have popped up in other communities. Cochrane's take on the crossing would aim to be inclusive of all community members and not solely the LGBTQ community. The crosswalk would feature 10 colours – yet to be determined – that will be used to celebrate all facets of community demographics from gender, race, age and sexual orientation to family, political beliefs, religion, income, and more. The cost of the crosswalk would be in the range of $12,000 and $15,000 and be included in the town's annual crosswalk budget. A thermal inlaid material would be used which would mean the lines would last longer than regular paint and make vandalism easier to repair.
WOMEN RIDERS WORLD RELAY HIT THE ROAD IN CANADA
A sisterhood motorcycle movement that started from one woman's vision has seen the rise of a global army of riders. Women Riders World Relay (WRWR) is the planet's largest female motorcycle relay and it's now making its way through Canada as it travels around the globe. Through the relay, a global community of women bikers join forces to pass a handcrafted baton from woman-to-woman travelling from country-to-country showing that the power of the ride runs deep within women regardless of their roots, beliefs or age. The movement has attracted women riders from countries where involvement in such things is frowned upon – India and middle east countries for example – but it has allowed women to persevere against all odds and come out on the other side with a sense of accomplishment and a smile. The relay sees a number of guardians during the journey around the globe. These guardians take the baton throughout their country and eventually hand it off to the next guardians in the next country. The relay draws to an end in January 2020 in the United Arab Emirates.
CHANGES TO BUS FEES TOO LATE FOR RVS
The Alberta Government's reversal of the previous NDP government's bus fee legislation comes too late for Rocky View Schools (RVS) to make any changes as it set its budget in April. In 2017, the NDP government eliminated bus fees to students living 2.4 km or farther from their designated school. The decision came with mixed emotions as parents living closer to their child's school saw an increase in transportation fees. At the time, Rocky View Schools was also reviewing its busing structure to combat a dwindling reserve fund as a result of what it called inadequate transportation funding that was not keeping up with enrolment. Last year, the reserve was exhausted and bus fees went up again and value-added services such as secondary stops were eliminated. The board also ended the child limit where families with more than two students didn't have to pay additional fees for the third or fourth child. The NDP's legislation came with a $1.6 million fee replacement grant, which essentially made the change in fees a net-zero proposition for the board. As it stands, it is not clear if that grant will be included in the next budget.
COCHRANE RCMP SATELLITE STATION OPENS IN MORLEY
In partnership with the Cochrane RCMP, Cochrane and Area Victim Services and the Stoney Nakoda Nation, home of the three bands, Chiniki, Wesley and Bearspaw, the station will now give Nation members the opportunity to give statements and have access to victim services programs in their own community. Before the opening of the satellite location, Stoney Nakoda residents would have to travel more than 30 kilometres to Cochrane or Canmore to report a crime or access victim services. Now the new station sits adjacent to the Chiniki gas bar, located off the Trans Canada Highway, only three kilometres south of the Morley townsite. On a Nation that suffers intergenerational trauma from the residential schools, brought into Canada to assimilate Indigenous children during the 19th and 20th century - well documented as places of physical and mental abuse - there are a variety of issues in the 4,000 to 5,000 populated community ranging from addiction to drugs to poverty to domestic violence to homicides. The RCMP acknowledged the opening of the new station as a way to continue relationship building and reconciliation.
PAIR OF COBRA PLAYERS SIGN WITH DINOS
The Cochrane Cobras football team continue to churn out the talent as another pair of athletes on their roster signed their letters of intent with the University of Calgary Dinos. Receiver Dawson Gladue and linebacker Cayne Yacey will join the likes of Joseph Bell, Dylan Neis and Erik Nusl on the University of Calgary campus next fall. Gladue – who was named one of the team's top receivers at the Cobras awards banquet while Yacey was one of the recipients of the Coaches Award – helped the Cobras to a 6-0 in league play, and 3-0 in the provincial tournament. Both have played key roles in helping the Cobras jump out to a 3-0 start in the Rocky View Sports Association (RVSA) league while scoring 175 points and only giving up seven.
OCTOBER
COUNCIL APPROVES ADDITIONAL 900,000 FOR RCMP DETACHMENT
Town council approved an additional $900,000 for the construction of the new RCMP detachment to be built in Heartland bringing the cost of the project to $4.7 million. The additional funds were needed to complete design and costing of the building which will house RCMP, town bylaw, victim services and Alberta Sheriff personnel. The increase in project cost came after the town had to purchase a larger 4.7-acre site for the new facility. Originally, 2.1 acres was purchased but initial design work revealed the need for a larger site to accommodate the required footprint of the building and its substantial parking needs. Once completed, the detachment, which administration described as a priority project, will house approximately 100 staff and will be designed to accommodate future growth.
COLT SYSTEM GALLOPS TO TOWN
Cochrane’s On-demand Local Transit launched their fleet of short buses throughout our community at 10 a.m. Monday morning. The COLT app opened two hours prior and already had 23 bookings for the day. After the first day there were 169 riders, 80 trips, and the average ride time (including wait time) was just over 20 minutes. COLT’s on-demand structure makes it unique among other transit services across the country. The service will include four, low floor, wheelchair accessible, 21-seat buses. In a few months the fleet will grow to eight buses and will be outfitted with bike racks. Presently there are 152 unique bus stops around Cochrane. Stops could be moved or added as the service is used. The service will operate Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. COLT doesn't run on Sundays. Strollers, bikes and scooters can be transported. Sporting equipment is also permitted.
FOOD BANK EXPANDS TO BAY 4
The volunteer-run, non-profit organization opened their doors to their newly enlarged expansion. The facility has been at 30 Griffin Industrial Point since 2008, but now the group has two spaces instead of one. It was easy to see why the expansion was a necessary acquisition as both bays were lined with shelving and filled with food and other donations. Discussions about expanding their existing facility started a few years ago. The organization initially looked at moving to a new location, but their luck changed for the better when the occupants next door to them vacated. The organization now has the facility and space to keep frozen meat, ice cream and pre packed items when available.
FOURTH TERM FOR BLAKE
Incumbent Conservative, MP Blake Richards has been re-elected for the Banff-Airdrie riding for his fourth term. Richards was able to muster enough sufficient votes to have his victory declared just after 9 p.m. Richards leads with 51,644 votes out of the 72,383 total votes equalling 71.35 per cent of the vote. He was met with cheers and a standing ovation once he arrived at his post-election gathering at Rival Axe Throwing in Airdrie. He gave a short speech thanking his family, members of his campaign team as well as his supporters.
FORTIS FEE INCREASE
Customers will see an increase through the local municipal access fee on their electric bill. The access fee will increase from $9.07 (15 per cent) to $10.99 (17 per cent) of the delivery charge of Fortis Alberta. The calculation is based on 640 kWh consumption in 30 days. Revenue from the fees in 2019 are expected to be $2.2 million. With the increased fee for 2020, anticipated revenue will rise to $2.5 million. The Town charges utility companies franchise fees for the right to use lands for their infrastructure throughout Cochrane. Administration recommends no increase for ATCO as the fee was dropped from 23 per cent to 20 per cent in 2015. Fortis’ fee has remained unchanged since 2005.
WATER NINJAS
Cochranites Joel Smyke and Kevin Knopf, who are current members of the Cochrane Water Ninjas lifesaving club, will be taking part in this year's Commonwealth Festival of Lifesaving championships that will be taking place Nov. 21 to 23 across the pond in Leeds, United Kingdom. The festival aims to encourage participation in lifesaving sport and further development of lifesaving practices, as well as bring the lifesaving family together. In addition to the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships, the 2019 event will also include an individual skill element and non-competitive sports section. This event will be both Knopf's and Smyke's first international competition after numerous of local provincial and national events.
COBRAS SOCCER WIN DIVISIONALS
The Cochrane Cobras girls soccer team took home their second Rocky View Sports Association (RVSA) divisional banner after a very tense 2-1 victory over the Springbank Phoenix on Oct. 21. The Cobras got a goal from Bryn White early in the game to make the score 1-0 Cochrane High. Springbank fought their way back and managed to score a goal that knotted the contest up at 1-1 heading into the second half of play. The Cobras got the game winner of a strike from Bryn Barrett that beat the Phoenix goaltender midway through the second half. They were able to thwart off any remaining Springbank attempts to hold onto victory. The girls were very composed during the most important game of the season, something that speaks volumes to their character and ability to compete in tough games.
NOVEMBER
FIRST BIKE PARK CYCLING SOON
Coming spring of 2020, bikers will have a new hang out spot as the much anticipated bike park will be ready for those of all ages and skill levels. The bike park will be located in the parking lot of Bow Street Commons at The Quarry, and is sure to be met with thumbs up from Cochranites. The bike park will cost $100,000 and so far the society has raised around $60,000. Construction for the park began at the end of September and will continue as long as the weather cooperates. The finishing touches will be complete next spring.
INTERCHANGE APPROVED
Local MLA Peter Guthrie wants to assure Cochranites that the Highway 22 and Highway 1A interchange project is moving forward. The provincial budget, released on October 24, 2019, contains allocations for $597 million for highway twinning, widening and expansion. The 2019 provincial construction program identifies an interchange upgrade on Highway 1A on the northwest boundary of Cochrane and bridge replacement at the Big Hill Creek on Highway 1A at the northern boundary of Cochrane. Guthrie said a change of government in 2015 further delayed the project. The project is still in the design phase and will remain there until it goes out to tender. Guthrie explained that three factors have contributed to the projects delay; an archeological dig, accommodation of the West Path Delivery Project (pipeline) and the projects expansion to accommodate the bottleneck in the community of Sunset Ridge. Guthrie doesn’t expect that the redesign will take a great deal of time. He says the interchange will be complete within four years.
WIDENING OF 1A
Pledging a commitment to work with the Stoney Nakoda First Nation, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced $76.5 million has been earmarked in the Alberta Budget 2019 for the widening of Highway 1A to create a safer highway and promote Reconciliation. The highway has been a safety concern for decades, said Kenney at a press conference at the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino on Tuesday (Nov. 12). He added widening of the highway has been a work-in-progress for too long. The highway was built in 1946 and has seen no significant upgrades since. A 29-kilometre stretch of Highway 1A that runs between Canmore and Cochrane through the Stoney Nakoda First Nation will receive upgrades beginning in the spring of 2020. The project is expected to last two to three years. Alberta Budget 2019 allocated $26.5 million toward this project in the four-year capital plan and pledged a further $50 million from future budgets. The project was able to move forward after a land-transfer deal was agreed upon between the First Nation and the provincial government.
COUNCIL VOTES TO REMOVE TASK FORCE
At a previous meeting council voted to accept the report as information and directed town administration to bring back a revised policy. On Monday town administration recommended three options to council: 1.) Council adopt the policy with salary adjustments and per diem payments to come into effect October 19, 2021; 2.) Rescind the current policy; 3.) Amend the current policy and rescind the terms of reference for the task force. Council voted to remove the task force and make remuneration an issue for administration to handle. At the meeting Coun. Morgan Nagel said he felt that the task force was wasting their time on the issue, and he was hesitant in accepting a pay increase because of the province’s current economic climate. Mayor Jeff Genung said he prefers that remuneration no longer be an issue discussed at council. Regarding the task force, he was careful not to undervalue the hard work of the public body. He was also concerned at the perception the topic of salary increases has on local residents.
DOWLING SCORES FIRST PAIR OF NHL GOALS
29-year-old Cochranite Justin Dowling achieved what every hockey-playing child grew up dreaming about. He scored his first National Hockey League (NHL) goal. It was a beautiful one at that in front of his family and friends when he and his Dallas Stars teammates took down Dowling's hometown Calgary Flames 3-1 on Nov. 13 at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Early in the third period, Dowling pulled off a nifty toe-drag move and deposited the puck past Flames goaltender Cam Talbot to give the Stars a 2-0 lead and eventually stood as the game-winning goal. He then scored his second career goal the following evening against the Vancouver Canucks on a similar move. Dowling's parents Sherry and Glen said they couldn't be more excited for their son to finally achieve his dream.
DECEMBER
FIVE-YEAR-OLD GUARDIAN ANGEL OF GRANDMA
Sharon Carry was babysitting Shyla and her two-year-old brother Dylan at her home in Cochrane. A layer of frost covered her back deck and when Carry stepped outside, she fell hard. Carry couldn’t move and laid there helpless in -15 C conditions. Carry called out to her granddaughter and asked her to get her cell phone from inside her home so Carry could call EMS. Shyla returned with her cellphone and a warm blanket to cover up her grandmother who was still immobilized on the deck. Shyla even opened the front door to allow EMS to enter the home and tend to her grandmother. Carry spent a week at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, underwent surgery on her broken femur and will still require eight weeks of rehabilitation. She’s now back in Cochrane recovering.
SHOOTING LEAVES ONE DEAD
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating after an officer involved shooting in Cochrane left one man dead. Officers were called to a local residence shortly after 7 p.m. Friday night (Dec. 6) due to concerns for the wellbeing of a male and his partner. It was believed the man had numerous firearms and when RCMP arrived, he barricaded himself inside the residence. The RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) were called in, but a negotiator was unable to convince the man to exit the home. RCMP used "alternate means" to force the man out, however when he exited the residence a confrontation occurred and an ERT member shot the man. He was transported to the hospital, but was declared deceased en-route.
PROPERTY TAX INCREASE IN 2020
Council approved the 2020 town budget that will see a 1.93 per cent property tax increase in 2020, a 2.76 per cent increase in 2021 and a 2.51 per cent increase in 2022. An average home owner, with a single-family house assessed at $479,900, will pay $2,294.44 in municipal taxes in 2020. This is an increase of $43.44 from the previous year. If you add applicable utility increases, the increase amounts to $84.16. To deliver on the property tax increase the budget includes a proposed expenditure of $43.4 million in capital projects for 2020, including: Transit Hub and Cochrane Innovation Centre; Railway Street West infrastructure upgrades; Centre Avenue and Highway 1A improvements; new Protective Services building and Horse Creek Sports Park servicing.
TRANSIT HUB MOVING AHEAD
Cochrane’s Transit Hub and Innovation Outpost is moving ahead after town council voted unanimously to support the project at their meeting on Dec. 9. The proposed three-story innovation centre will hopefully create and foster tech and innovation jobs, create development interest in the Railway Street West, Grande Avenue and Bow Street corridor, and establish Cochrane as a leader in innovation and technology. The transit hub will also be the base of operations for the COLT buses. Construction costs, including on-site servicing, are estimated at $10 million. The town will hopefully lease 21,865 sq-ft of the 39,275 sq-ft space at commercial rates. The funds generated by leasing will support the incubator space for early stage start-up companies. The town predicts that after generating commercial lease revenue and paying associated costs of running the facility, the net operating income is estimated at $125,902. Occupancy is scheduled for December 2020.
SUITING UP FOR TEAM CANADA
Budding hockey star and Cochrane resident Sarah Wozniewicz has been named to Team Canada's International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Under 18 Women's Hockey Championship roster when the tournament begins on Dec. 26 in Slovakia. The 16-year-old Wozniewicz said she was honoured when she heard the news she had made the team. "I'm super excited and honoured to play for Team Canada," the Cochrane native said. "It's been my goal since I started playing hockey." Wozniewicz, who is currently playing with the Edge Mountaineers just outside of Cochrane where she has 11 goals and 19 points in 10 games.
