With 16 applicants, there was keen interest in the newly-minted Recreation and Parks Board.

Eight positions were designated to the public-at-large and selected were Doug Marter, Brooke Sabourin, Julie Sharpe, James Darby, Jacques Sauve, Kelli Willisko, Lloyd Manning and Dawn Thome.

Councillor Tara McFadden will represent town council.

Council went in camera to discuss the applicants, then returned to cast secret ballots in the public meeting. There was a two-way tie for the final position, and the names were placed in a container, then one was drawn by Mayor Jeff Genung.

The new board will be meeting in the near future and one of the first items on their plate will be the request by the Bow Valley Rugby Club for $17,500 to further explore developing a rugby centre on the edge of town.

Terms of the inaugural board members expire Dec. 31, 2019.

Tri-Site Concept Committee

The bylaw was approved to formalized the short-term tri-site concept plans advisory committee. Eight residents will now be sought to serve on the committee.

Susan Flowers will represent council on the Tri-Site Concept Plans committee.

Susan Flowers was appointed town council's representative, filling out the board to nine members.

Called the Tri-Site Concept Plans Project, a decision is scheduled to be reached by the end of 2018 on how to develop the 5th Ave. site and two parcels of land on Railway St. The 5th Ave. site is currently home to the Cochrane Lions Rodeo Grounds, Cochrane Lions Events Centre, the Boys and Girls Club, two ball diamonds and horseshoe pitches. It was also the former home to the Big Hill Leisure Centre that was demolished in late 2017. The Railway St. properties are located next to the Nan Boothby Memorial Library and practically across the street on the former Esso Bulk Station site. Both are currently vacant.

There's a $140,000 budgeted for the project that involves consultation by Urban Systems Ltd.