Town council is seeking public feedback on its proposed strategic priorities before giving them final approval.

A public engagement station will be set up at tomorrow's Spring Farmers' Market, Mar. 23, in the SLS Family Sports Centre that will be manned by town councillors. That will be followed by a public meeting utilizing a world cafe format at the Cochrane Alliance Church on Apr. 4. In addition, a public survey is being launched on Monday, Mar. 25.

Feedback received will be considered by town council and adjustments might follow before they receive final approval.

In February, Chief Administrative Officer Dave Devana presented a draft of the 2019-21 priorities that essentially set the priorities for the town. It's an extensive and ambitious list broken into four categories: connectivity, development and planning, community engagement and facilities and services. 

Among the highlights are preparations for the anticipated annexation of about 130 acres north of Heritage Hills that has been slated as a sports destination park  and future high school site and a smaller 40-acre strip north of Sunset Ridge, largely being added to the town limits to provide a second exit for that large neighbourhood.

The town wants to take the first steps in developing three public properties in downtown Cochrane included in the tri-site review. Initially, it seems the Railway Ave. property will be developed first and include transit hub, a municipal services building and serve as an anchor for the at-grade pedestrian crossing to the Historic Downtown.

Final consultation will take place for the Library/Innovation Centre/Arts and Culture site, also on Railway St., as well as the large 5th Ave. parcel that is currently home to the Cochrane Lions Events Centre and rodeo grounds, the town's two largest ball diamonds and the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area.

Improving transportation corridors and pathways remain figurative, as does implementing a water strategy and continuing with water/wastewater infrastructure. There's the major rewrite of the Land-Use Bylaw and updates to a number of documents proposed, including the municipal development plan, sustainability plan and update its economic development strategy.

The construction of a new integrated RCMP and Municipal Enforcement detachment along Hwy. 1A in the Heartland neigbourhood is drawing closer and the town also wants to complete its design for the old town hall site.

Many other actions are incorporated in the strategy.