Decision on Clubhouse utilization expected in fall

A decision is expected this fall by town council that would see fuller utilization of The Clubhouse on the Cochrane Ranche historic site.

A public competition process will be held this summer to offer community groups an opportunity to make submissions for use of the space that is hoped to provide further vibrancy to a town facility that often sits vacant.

Possible options were presented to council by Community Services director Mitchell Hamm in February on how to increase the use of the facility and maximize its potential as a community asset.

The four core principles presented at that time were to increase vibrancy, have a positive impact, energize and celebrate the Historic Ranche and, to a lesser extent, improve the town revenue stream.

While these principles will guide the competition, they are not intended to limit proposed uses, explained Stacey Loe, town executive director of Protective and Community Services.

"The intent would be to allow the submissions of community groups to be broad enough that they can be creative in what they're suggestion for the use of that space and how they would use it and occupy it," Loe said.

Council has received presentations from both the Cochrane Municipal Library and BGC Cochrane and Area. Others have since become aware of the possible opportunity, but up until July 10 had been left in abeyance by council. 

There was pushback on the original motion by Councillor Susan Flowers that called for town administration to make the decision. The other six members believed the decision should be that of council.

Councilor Morgan Nagel lead the charge to successfully amend the original motion.

"If this council should be making decisions relevant to the core culture of Cochrane, I think this space certainly meets that criteria. I don't think we should take this decision away from ourselves," he said.

Others voiced similar views.

Making a timely decision, though, was viewed as a priority. September is considered an important time window to launch new programming by many groups.

Loe said they will be advertising the opportunity and bringing the submissions forward to council for consideration in September.

"I'm happy that we're going out and having a process like this," said Mayor Jeff Genung. "I'm mindful also that the administration presented this to council in February. We are actually what's holding it up, and I'm glad that we're getting on with it, but I'm also glad that we're going out to the community to see if there's anyone else that has not heard of this."

Genung says he's aware of at least two other groups who have expressed interest.

"Where there are two, there's probably five or seven, so in the essence of fairness and openness, I'm glad that we're doing this, and I agree that we need to get on with it now."