Two days into the New Year, and it is time for Cochrane to make up its wish list for 2014.
Looking at the town’s 10-Year Financial Strategy, this year appears to be a quiet one when it comes to the timeframe for beginning/completing the myriad of projects between 2013 and 2022.
But much work will, nevertheless, still happen in 2014. Wal-Mart is expected to open this month; the Centre Ave. extension will open over the tracks, extending to Main St.; improvements to the East End will come to a close, which would have happened earlier had the June flood not caused a delay.
Aside from these three certainties, what should make up Cochrane’s wish list for the coming year?
The 10-Year Financial Strategy reveals a busy 2015 in Cochrane, with projects such as a new police station, an additional off-leash dog park and pathway upgrades on the menu.
Also targeted for 2015 is the new aquatic centre and curling club, two projects that were at the forefront during the last municipal election.
Which of these projects should take priority to break ground in 2014?
Looking first at the pool and curling facility, there is one point that should be opened for debate – the price tag, specifically when it comes to the curling club.
When the curling club was first proposed – and what is also stated in the financial strategy – the cost came in at $5 million, with the town kicking in a maximum of $1.5 million.
Following a feasibility study, however, that number rose significantly, to approximately $15 million.
At the risk of disappointing Cochrane’s curling enthusiasts, this inflation begs the question; does Cochrane need a brand new, $15 million curling facility?
Perhaps a cheaper option would be to upgrade the current curling facility, at what would surly be a much lower cost to the town.
During a presentation to council in November, John Bowser, director of construction for Tango Management Group, the project manager for the aquatic and curling complex, suggested the possibility of the curling facility being developed so that the ice surface could be transformed and used for alternative activities, such as hockey or public skating.
If this idea comes to fruition, it would certainly make accepting a $15 million price tag much easier, as the facility would appeal to a broader age spectrum.
Another top priority for Cochrane’s newly elected council should be to continue finding ways to keep the community’s young people in town by providing them more employment opportunities.
Council has echoed for years how the 25-65 age group typically leaves Cochrane for work, only to return later for retirement. This is an unfortunate reality when a community is situated so close to one of if not the most economically vibrant urban centres in the country.
Though council nor the town can create employment opportunities for Cochrane’s youth, both should work at making the town the most desirable place possible to do business, and tirelessly strive to bring as many employers to Cochrane as possible.
The tax imbalance many residents and council members voiced concern over during the election would be well served if more businesses came to Cochrane. This fact, along with keeping more workers and money in town, should be reason alone to try and bring business to Cochrane.
With the opening of Wal-Mart, Centre Ave. and East End improvements wrapping up, combined with the possibility of an aquatic/curling facility breaking ground (though may be a lot to ask for in 2014 with the project ringing in at $54.3 million total) and council working toward growing the town’s employment base, Cochrane should be in good shape moving forward.
